A few minutes passed, but neither came out victorious. The other soldiers had stopped their training, as they collected together to watch the intense fight. Even the commander was watching from the balcony of the manor.
Sebastian swung his sword, moving behind Echo. He thought he had moved fast enough, and would be able to land a blow from behind, but Echo swiftly moved her sword behind her blocking the attack. She turned around, and with the momentum she unarmed the man. His sword flew in the air, and landed a few feet away from them.
The soldiers cheered at Echo. She looked at Sebastian who looked defeated. He gave Echo a nod, as he tossed her keys at her. "Great fight!" was the only thing he told her, before picking up his sword and walking away.
Echo did not wait long either, she held the keys in her hand, and walked back into the mansion. Arriving at her house, she changed into a fresh outfit after a shower. Afterwards, she went out to the restaurant for lunch.
—
Three days passed, Echo had still not received any new orders. She spent the last few days training.
After training early in the morning, Echo took a shower, and got dressed in something casual. She had breakfast at home, and stepped out to the library.
Echo could not help but think about Damon after their previous encounter. 'Is he okay? Why did he say that he'll hurt me? Doesn't he care anymore? But he could have hurt me that day too… and he didn't..'
Deep in thought Echo stopped in front of a book on the shelf. Taking the book out, Echo read the title of the book "Nephilims". It was as if fate itself had brought the book to her.
Without thinking much about it, Echo took the book to an empty table, and sat down opening the book. While she was halfway through the book, Jasmine came along with another girl.
"Hey! Echo… this is my sister, Jane," Jasmine introduced her sister to Echo.
Echo looked up from her book, and smiled "Hi!"
"Mind if we sit with you?" Jasmine asked politely.
Echo smiled, turning back to her book, "No."
Jasmine and Jane sat down in front of Echo. They too had books in their hands.
Jane glanced at Echo, who was engrossed by the book she was reading, "What are you reading?"
Echo looked up again in confusion, "Me?" When Jane nodded Echo kept her hand on the page she was on, and closed the book, showing the title.
"Nephilim?... Does this have anything to do with that demon you were talking about?" Jasmine asked, with a small smirk on her face.
"What?.. No," Echo blurted. She glanced at Jasmine with wide eyes, and raised eyebrows.
Jane chuckled before turning to Echo, "Now it's obvious that you like him."
Echo looked distressed, she creased her brows. "No… he's… he's just a friend… not even a friend anymore I guess," Echo explained hesitantly. She stared at the title of the book, covering it with her hand, her face turned cold as she glared at Jane and Jasmine.
Both Jane and Jasmine giggled, when Jasmine spoke again, "Now it's very obvious you like him."
Echo pursed her lips into a smile, and sighed as she stared back at the book.
Jane leaned in, and whispered, "So what's your plan?"
"What plan?" Echo looked at Jane in confusion.
Jasmine smiled, leaning forward, "You're telling me you don't have a plan to make him fall for you?"
Echo felt her face heat up at the thought of Damon falling in love with her, "What am I supposed to do? He's a demon.. Do you think he'll even be allowed in here?"
"Echo. I'm married to the commander, with one word he'll let him in," Jasmine replied proudly.
Echo tried her best to hold her laugh, but it came out stifled.
"What?"
Echo looked at Jasmine who raised her eyebrows.
"It's just that.. I don't really understand… like… the commander… really? Wasn't there anyone better?" Echo asked, raising her eyebrows.
Jane leaned in, and spoke before Jasmine could, "That's the exact thought I had when she told me that she liked the commander. At least in her defence, he's really hot."
Jasmine began blushing, Echo giggled as she stated, "Yes, he's really good looking, but he seems really cold too."
"You look cold too. If I hadn't spoken to you I'd think you're a jerk too, like Sebastian," Jasmine answered, looking at Jane.
"Sebastian's a nice guy. He looks and acts like a jerk to everyone, but he has this really sweet side too," Jane defended Sebastian.
—
A few moments before the Echo had started her conversation with Jane and Jasmine, the commander walked into the library. He noticed his wife and sister-in-law walk towards Echo, and talk to her.
Not expecting to eavesdrop on their interesting conversation, he walked to a shelf next to them, only to hear what they were talking about. He took a book from the shelf, and hid himself behind the shelf as he quietly listened.
"Commander!" Sebastian called out in a low voice. The commander immediately brought his index finger to his lips. Sebastian raised an eyebrow as he looked at the girls talking.
Sebastian glanced at the commander, "Are you eavesdropping on their conversation?" He asked in a whisper.
The commander glared at Sebastian, and just that moment, Jasmine brought up Sebastian, who after hearing his name, became quite engrossed in the conversation.
—
Echo asked, almost jumping out of her seat, "You like Sebastian?"
"Who doesn't? He's like one of the most sought after bachelors here," Jane's cheeks flushed red, as she completed the sentence.
Echo glanced at Jasmine, who held back a chuckle. "So what's your plan to make him like you?"
Jane leaned forward as much as she could, in excitement she blurted, "I am a healer, and since Jas is the one in charge. I asked her to send Sebastian to me if he ever comes in." Her excitement faded, and she pouted, "... but he never gets injured. Not even a small scratch. How am I going to work my magic now?"