"Alex!" Leonard says running over to envelope his brother in a hug. He was relieved to see Alexander was fine.
He knew his brother was strong but he was still worried. Form the looks of things all his bodyguards and the staff had ended up infect either naturally or by getting bit.
"I'm glad you're alright Brother." Alexander says before pulling away from the hug. He didn't like to be touched but he let Leonard hug him for a moment, knowing his brother had been worried.
Jade looks around the room and breifly examines the people inside. When her gaze lands on Alexanders face she freezes in shock.
Now she knew why she thought Leonard was familiar. The Young Emperor who established the larges and most powerful base, Imperial Base was his younger brother.
She had only seen him once before. He had apparently heard about her strength and he tried to recruit her into his team, but she refused as she knew her current base would fall without her protection.
He only offered once and sometimes she when she thought about it she would regret her choice.
If she had agreed to join them she would probably still be with his team, fighting the zombie army.
Now she thought she made the right decision. If she had gone with him that day she wouldn't have the chance to save Nova or the Snow Knights.
Her gaze didn't linger for long before she continued looking around. She didn't want to seem suspicious.
"Since you found your brother Nova and I will get going. My friends should be waiting for us somewhere safe a couple hundred miles from here." Jade says before turning to the door and begging to walk towards it when a hand suddenly lands on her wrist. When she looks up her eyes meet Novas and she can see him hesitate to say something.
"What?" She asks casually.
"You should rest for a while. I don't want you to get hurt." Nova says gently.
"I'm not a child. I know my own body. I'll be fine until we reach the safehouse." Jade says comfortingly.
"It's still better for you to rest." Leonard says with a frown.
"Just lay down for a few hours at least." Nova says pulling her towards the sofa, not giving her time to protest.
"Who's that?" Alexander asks Leonard. He didn't hide the fact that he was asking. Most people would have whispered in this situation.
"The reason your brother isn't dead." Jade answers. She didn't mind that the question wasn't directed to her and she didn't care if her answer sounded rude. She knew that she was stronger than him for the time being and she had more people than him even if they weren't here right now.
She was honestly just being bitchy because she was frustrated and exhausted.
"I guess I should thank you then." Alexander says sarcastically.
"You're welcome." Jade replys indifferently as Nova forcefully lays her down on the sofa.
"Sleep Jade. You'll feel better. Nova says, interrupting the two people who were acting like children.
"Whatever." She mutters closing her eyes and immediately falling asleep. She didn't sleep very deeply though. She had to stay alert.
...
When she woke up the next day she was feeling much better.
She looks around the room and notices the corner of someone's clothes in the kitchen.
She approuches slowly and realizes that everyone is there, sitting on the countertops.
"Brother let's go now." She says gently as her eyes land on Nova.
"Change of plans." One of the other guys says. She knew who he was.
Kai. One of the members of Imerial base and one of the other 4 members of the Young Emperor's team.
"Tell me." Jade says calmly.
"We're all going together. You said the safehouse was large so I assume we can fit 6 extra people. If we can't then we'll figure it out when we get there." Nova says innocently. Jade glared at him for a moment before massaging the space between her brows.
"It's not that we can't fit more people. If I want I could accommodate almost 1000 more people. I'll bring whoever you want Brother, but those guys will complain. Especially Dylan." Jade says feeling a headache starting just thinking about having to listen to him nag about supplies. He was usually nagging her about a lack of funds and she was sure he would do the same with food and supplies. The Team Leaders would also complain about it knowing them. Lisa and Rose will argue about anything, Liam is the stingiest person you'll ever meet and Jake... Well he'll probably not say anything. The only thing he cares about is fighting.
"We'll deal with that later." Nova says casually. He had no idea how annoying those people could be when they really wanted to be.
"Whatever. Pack light we're going on foot." Jade says with a tone that leaves no room for discussion.
"Who are you to decide that?" One of the other guys says disdainfully.
Ian, the youngest member of team Imperial.
"We're going to MY safehouse, that means I'M in charge. Get used to it." Jade says before turning to leave the room.
"How would you do in a fight against a tiger?" Nova asks Ian, noticing his anger.
"Why?" Ian asks turning to look at Nova impatiently.
"Jade is much stronger than a tiger." Nova says simply before moving to follow his sister.
He could tell she was having a hard time. Even more than most people.
Nova stands up to leave the room ignoring the gazes of all the other men in the room.
He gently rubs Jades shoulders from behind her as she relaxes on the sofa. He was hoping to help her calm down.
It workes as she slowly begins to relax and closes her eyes comfortably.
She had been too tense and she realized she could lower her guard a little.
It was still the early stages and murderers or canibals wouldn't appear yet. She didn't have to be so vigilant yet.
Maybe she wasn't yet aware of it but she was putting everything on herself. As though she had to deal with everything alone just because she was reborn.