The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven (162 page)

             
I turned my attention back to Lucas. “Yeah, sorry.”

             
“You know I was just kidding earlier. I hope I didn’t offend you?”

             
“No. I can hold my own,” I said, trying to make a point.

             
Lucas looked at me as if he accepted the challenge. “So I’ve noticed,” he smiled, making my stomach feel queasy. I was thankful that we didn’t keep the same partner for long. I didn’t know how much longer I could keep my composure with him.

             
The music swiftly changed and we were once again rearranged into a new position standing across from our partners. Arms up and palms out, we took two steps forward, and then one back. Following in a diagonal line moving on to the next person and gliding smoothly in a circle. The only thing touching was our palms.

             
This continued all the way down the line until we came full circle. The music had switched again, but it was not the traditional music we practiced to. Not skipping a beat, everyone continued with the dance despite the change, except me.

             
The song, I recognized it. I knew it all too well. It caused me to miss a step. Fumbling, I was pulled back into the line by a stranger, a remarkably familiar stranger.

             
I was no longer dancing with the rest of my classmates.  He spun me away from the group. I looked up into the eyes of the man who had swept me off my feet. His eyes burned with a love that ate a hole in my heart. He led me around the dance floor as if we had done this a thousand times and being in his arms it felt like I had.

             
I knew now everyone had stopped and was watching us, but I was too mesmerized by the deep, dark blue of his eyes. His eyes, his hair, his smell, the way he held me, and the way he whisked me across the dance floor I knew. “Am I dreaming?”

             
He shook his head no as our song stopped. “I love you la mia bella stella.”

             
And before I could stop him, he leaned down, and kissed me.

Chapter Twenty-eight

I was so lost in the moment I thought I was dreaming, until I heard Roman growl. I pulled back from Tristan’s embrace just as Roman slugged him in the face. He hit him so hard he fell to the ground and skidded back a few feet. “What are you doing?” I yelled.

             
“What am I doing? What are you doing?” he snapped.

             
“I didn’t do anything,” I said defensively. “He kissed me.”

             
Roman grabbed me possessively, wrapping his arm around my waist tight. “You have a lot of nerve,” he said to Tristan. “Stand up you coward. Show yourself,” he demanded.

             
Tristan smiled his cocky smile as he stood up and dusted himself off. He walked over and stood face to face with Roman. You could smell the testosterone pouring out of them. Brennen and Justin came to stand by Roman’s side. Billy, I figured, was the one to stand by Tristan. His temper was rising at the sight of Josie on another man’s arm.

             
And then there was me, who stood in the center of it all.

             
My heart was pounding a million miles per minute. Everything was silent. The only thing you could hear was the pounding pulses in anticipation of what was going to happen next. I took a step forward in between them. “Let’s just stop,” I said, pleading with Roman not to fight.

             
Roman looked down at me almost sad and then his eyes filled with rage again as Tristan started to laugh. I turned to glare at him. “Well, of all the people you could have picked I never would have expected him,” he said, ripping off his mask.

             
Roman went rigid. I could feel the heat coming off of him and heard a crackle. I took a step back and grabbed his hand trying to calm him. Tristan looked down at our link fingers, hurt crossed his face. “What are you doing here?” Roman growled.

             
“I came to take back what is mine,” Tristan said, looking right at me.

             
“You always want what you can’t have,” Roman spat.

             
“Who says I can’t have her?” he was just toying with him now.

             
“I say. Leave, you’re not welcome here. And tell your bastard father to leave us alone,” Roman growled.

             
“Wait, you know each other?” I said, looking back and forth between them. Roman tore off his mask and looked at Tristan disgusted.

             
I gasped.

             
I couldn’t believe I’d never seen it before, but now that they were both here, right in front of me.

             
“He’s my brother,” Tristan said, confirming my disbelief. I shook my head not wanting to believe it.

             
“Oh snap,” Josie said.

             
“More like, oh shit,” Cameron whispered to her.

             
“This has got to be a joke,” I said, laughing deliriously.

             
“This is not a joke. Ella, I made a mistake.” Tristan looked at Cameron quickly and then back to me. I looked at her questioningly for a second before Tristan brought my attention back to him. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I was convinced I was, but I was wrong. I came back Ella, for you.” He reached for me but I pulled away.

             
“Whoa, whoa, this is the guy. This is the asshole you cheated on me with?” Roman glared. He took a step away from me. My heart felt like it was going to explode.

             
“Clearly Ella has a thing for the damaged. Why else would she date you,” Tristan spat back.

             
Roman snapped and took a step forward to punch Tristan again, but I butted in. “Stop!” I yelled. “Enough!” They both turned to look at me, waiting for an answer. As if I was to choose right there and then. The way they were both looking at me, I couldn’t take it. I took a few steps back. I couldn’t take all the eyes on me. I felt like a trapped animal. “I can’t do this right now,” I said, running out of the hall. I heard several voices calling my name, but I just kept running.

             
I ran so hard and so fast I hadn’t even noticed I ran in the direction of the maze until I got to the entrance. Not wanting to be found and hoping to get lost. I entered the maze and found my way to the center. When I reached the fountain, I fell on my knees, and covered my face as I balled my eyes out.              

             
How could I have been so stupid? How could I have not known they were brothers? All the signs were there; Deirdre telling me either of her grandsons would be happy. The hair, the eyes, the same cocky smile. How did I not recognize Roman in the picture? Because Tristan had told me it was his cousin and I believed him.

             
Not only was I too dumb to figure it out, but now the whole school knew too.

             
I leaned on the edge of the fountain and laid my head down on my arms to rest.

             
“And here we meet again. You just can’t stay away, can you?”

             
My back stiffened at the sound of his voice. I turned my head around slowly. “Jack.”

             
“Ella, Ella, Ella. I am growing tiresome of this game. Although I do have to say you make it so easy for me,” he smiled wickedly. “I have to say thank you, too,” he clapped. “I really did enjoy the show. I mean really, the look on your face when Tristan told you Roman was his brother, priceless.”

             
I turned my body around to face my attacker. “Ah-uh, I’d stay down if I were you,” he threatened. I felt the need to comply, only because I was weaponless. I knew I would have to stay put until I came up with a plan of attack.

             
“Come on Ella, I guess you really are that dumb. A blind man would have known those two were brothers,” he laughed.

             
“Did you just come here to insult me? Because I’m really not in the mood,” I glared.

             
“The insults are just a bonus. I only came for the show.” I watched him take a few steps to the left. He walked casually, like it was just a stroll down the street. “You should have seen Tristan’s face when I told him that your Roman was in fact his brother Roman.” He shook his head smiling. “I guess he just had to see for himself. The only girl he loved left him for his baby brother.” He walked closer to me and bent down in front of me. I tried to put up my shield but nothing happened. The alcohol, I thought. It had to be the alcohol I drank and that was why my powers weren’t working.

             
“Talk about a punch in the nuts. You really know how to break hearts, don’t you?” He was so close I could attack, but from this advantage it would be sloppy and Jack was smarter than that. I had to keep him talking.

             
“How did you even get in here?” I asked, thinking they really needed to work on their security.

             
“I guess I can tell you since I’m going to kill you anyways.” He stood up and started pacing again. “I picked up a nifty little trick while I was in Ireland – some gypsy with the ability to use glamour’s. It’s a shame she couldn’t stick around, but she was just so damn tasty,” he smirked. “They’re a nasty mess to clean up too. I prefer not to kill Romanians. They have a foul habit of cursing their victim’s attacker so better safe than sorry,” he shrugged like it was nothing. “All this talk of killing is making me hungry. So how about we just get to it.” He stopped and turned to me, ready to attack.

             
I narrowed my eyes at him wanting to be sick. “What makes you think this time you’ll succeed? I mean really Jack, haven’t you heard three strikes and you’re out?” I needed to stall, hoping I could send a message to Dean to get help. Even with the alcohol, I knew I could get through to Dean. Blood was thicker than any magical power.

             
“You can’t project from here,” Jack said. “It’s protected by magic. So none of those little tricks.” He wagged his finger at me.

             
“But how’d you even?” I asked shocked. Jack didn’t have that kind of power.

             
“My little spies…and yes, they’re everywhere. I know you can read minds, project thoughts, move things, heal, and even that sweet shield you have. Not to mention all the powers you have yet to receive. I know it all and that is why I had one of my little witch friends cast a spell to block your powers.”

             
“What are you talking about? I don’t have any more powers.”

             
“Not yet,” he corrected, holding up a finger. “That little gypsy was more useful than I thought. When I threatened her daughter she sang like a bird, giving me all sorts of good information.”

             
I bit my tongue to keep from letting him get to me. Despite what he said, I still tried to get to Dean. I had broken through Mackenzie’s spell so it was worth a shot. “How do you plan to get my powers if I’m dead?”

             
“Sweet little gypsy woman. She was so useful in more ways than one. According to legend, you can kill a vampire and still obtain their powers with a spell.”

             
“You really want to take that risk, believing in some old wives tale?”

             
“Enough talk,” he said, agitated that I would question him. He looked almost as unsure as I was whether or not if it would work. “I’m ready for this show to end. And from what I hear, it’s going to be a killer.” He lunged for me.

             
I was quicker. That was always Jack’s problem. He talked too much, was in to the theatrics, so I always knew when he was about to make his move. Not happy that I was able to knock him to the side, he attacked again and I countered his attack.

             
I kept trying to use my powers, but all that concentration was making me weak. I flashed back to the day Gabe had told us we needed to learn to fight as if we had no powers at all. We had spent the whole day on hand to hand combat. I was never so thankful for that day, because without my powers, I was struggling. My damn dress wasn’t making it any easier either. I needed to stall to catch my breath. “Where are your goons this time, Jack? Waiting in the wings?”

             
He smiled. “I decided tonight would be a private party.”

             
Not wasting any time, my instincts kicked in and I went head to head with Jack; knocking him down as many times as he knocked me down. I kicked him in his side, he flew onto the ledge of the fountain, and I heard his ribs break. Satisfied with my hit, I went to attack again to get the upper hand, but he grunted through the pain and knocked me on my behind.

             
“Ella!” I heard someone call my name in the distance.

             
“I’m in the center,” I screamed back before Jack had my throat.

             
“That was very dumb of you,” he growled.

             
I heard more people screaming my name. “So, which one of your Romeos is here to rescue you?”

             
I clawed at his arms, leaving scratch marks everywhere, and drawing blood. But he barely flinched. He was crushing my wind pipe and I was quickly losing the struggle. Not wanting to die like that, I went for the cheap shot and nailed him right in the groin. He fell over in pain and I was so happy Josie convinced me to go with the pointed toe heels tonight.

             
“You’re going to pay for that.”

             
I pushed myself up trying to catch my breath. “Sorry, but can’t risk having you produce a bunch of little bastards,” I smiled cockily.

             
“Ella! Ella!” more people cried.

             
Jack stood and shook off his injury. “Roman, Tristan, Roman, Tristan,” Jack said, holding his hands out like he was weighing the pros and cons. “Unfortunately, you’ll never get to see who your knight in shining armor is because you’ll be dead before he gets here,” he leaped, throwing his full force of weight on me.

             
He knocked me over into the fountain and I cracked my head on the bottom. I stood back up, ignoring the blood that was dripping down my face. Tired of this battle I said, “Let’s finish this.”

             
“Gladly,” he smiled, coming at me.

             
We fell down in the water from the slippery tiles beneath us; thrashing back and forth, getting nowhere. I tried to climb out of the fountain so I could regain some balance. I knew I could defeat Jack on solid ground. He had a different idea. Jack grabbed my foot, my shoe slipped off, freeing me for a spilt second.  I grabbed the edge of the fountain to pull myself out. Jack grabbed my ankle and tugged me back in as my arms and hands scrapped against the jagged edge of the concrete surrounding the fountain. I cried out in pain, feeling the burn from the cuts. I kicked and struggled to free myself and when I turned to escape, Jack grabbed my hair and shoved me under water.