Chapter 3
Adelaide
Ilooked at Rue in complete shock. When he grabbed my hand and pulled me away from John, the same tingling sensation I had felt with the twins overwhelmed me.
“We were here first, and from the way things seem to be headed, you'd better get ready to share.” Jesse glanced between my face and the hand Rue was holding on to.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Rue started walking, pulling me with him at a fast pace; not in the least interested in anything they had to say.
“Now you’re starting to piss me off.” John grabbed my free hand.
Luckily, Rue let go of me immediately, or these ridiculously large men could have torn me apart.
I tended to be a little dramatic on occasion.
John gently placed me behind him and his brother, and they both squared up to Rue. He tried to go around them to grab my hand again, but they weren’t budging.
“I don’t like to fight, I’m more of a lover, but in this case, I’ll make an exception,” Jesse flexed his ridiculous muscles. “Just slow down and let’s have a discussion.”
Rue growled, clearly aggravated that John and Jesse weren’t letting him get to me. He glowered at them both, and I could almost see the steam coming out of his ears. “There is nothing to discuss. Now unhand her immediately.”
I wasn’t a wilting flower, and these guys were starting to piss me off. I’d only let them manhandle me because I was still in shock after Rue had grabbed my hand, and it became clear he was a candidate for my Faction.
I’d noticed him in class… because what woman in her right mind wouldn’t? The guy was brilliant and looked like an angel: golden blonde hair, blue eyes, and a dimple in each cheek. Most of the women and half the men spent most of our class period trying to get his attention.
It was all in vain because he seemed oblivious to it all. To be perfectly honest, I was amazed that he even knew who I was.
“Enough!” I stepped from behind the twins and stood in the middle of the three guys. “This is fucking ridiculous!”
“Language, Adelaide,” John mumbled, seeming unable to help himself.
“What did you say?” I tilted my head up so I could look into his eyes, daring him to repeat that.
“Shut up, bro,” Jesse said, out of the side of his mouth. “Now's not the time.”
John frowned at his brother but didn’t repeat himself.
Smart man.
“This is what’s going to happen… Rue is going to escort me to my next class since we’re in it together.
” I narrowed my eyes at him when he aimed a smug expression at the twins, and he quickly dropped it.
“After class, you two...” I nodded at John and Jesse, “...are going to get lunch, and we’re going to find a spot by the lake to talk things over in private.
” I made eye contact with all three men. “Are we clear?”
There was considerable grumbling, but eventually everyone agreed.
“I’d just like to interject that I love a woman who takes charge.” Jesse waggled his brows.
John rolled his eyes, then, to my surprise, bent down to kiss my cheek, “We’ll have food waiting.” He locked eyes with Rue, “You’d better pull your head out of your ass and come to terms with this situation, cause we’re not going anywhere.” And of then he added, “Don’t take your eyes off her.”
Really? I could probably kick their respective asses.
Before I could tell him exactly that, both guys turned and walked off. I heard Jesse mumble something about heading to the administration office to change their schedules.
Rue frowned briefly in their direction, then grabbed my hand and started toward our class once more—a bold move for someone who hadn’t said two words to me before today.
When we entered, I headed toward my usual seat, but Rue stopped me and pointed to the desk next to his. I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue.
At this point, I just wanted a moment of peace to digest everything that had happened. Now that it had become clear I was destined to be Nexus, I needed a minute to come to terms with that.
“Why is Rue Walters sitting by her?” Beatrice, Selene’s best friend, asked no one in particular.
The nights that she came over, I made myself scarce.
Dealing with them both at the same time was exhausting.
Selene was difficult on the best of days, but with Beatrice there, it was unbearable.
Those two seemed determined to make sure I was as miserable as possible.
I had a recurring fantasy where both girls lost their voices permanently, along with developing the largest hemorrhoid on record.
Sometimes I changed it up with them losing their sight and being forced to navigate a room where the floor was covered in Legos.
A girl could dream.
The sounds that came out of Selene’s room led me to believe they were a little more than friends.
Selene had to be Nexus if they were Potentials.
I couldn’t see her allowing someone else to be the center of attention.
It gave me chills just thinking about what kind of fucked up Faction they would have.
Rue didn’t acknowledge that she’d even spoken.
I wasn’t quite so noble, “Wow, your ability must be in asking random questions that nobody cares about.”
Beatrice opened her mouth to let her usual stream of trash fall out, but before she could speak, Rue’s deep voice carried across the room.
“We don’t give attention to ones such as her.” Rue scolded me and turned his attention back to the front.
Beatrice gasped in outrage, but at that moment, the professor walked in and began her lecture.
I heard exactly none of it. I couldn’t keep my eyes off Rue and my thoughts from the twins. My stomach felt like a flock of butterflies had taken up residence, and I had no idea how I was going to eat lunch surrounded on three sides by such male perfection.
Rue tapped one long, elegant finger on my leg, then nodded toward the podium the professor was speaking from.
I wanted to be mad about his bossiness, but if I was being honest with myself, it was kind of sexy.
I tuned back into the lecture, deciding to let go of my worries for now.
Lunch would be here soon enough, and we could hash it all out then.
Class finally ended, and Rue grabbed my hand once more. For a guy who hadn’t acknowledged me before today, he sure was making up for it now.
Before we could leave the classroom, Beatrice stepped in front of us. She hissed at Rue, “Why are you holding her hand? You know, Selene’s father and yours have become very close.”
Rue didn’t bother to answer. He trained that frosty gaze of his on her and raised one eyebrow. The guy could give a look that would freeze you in your tracks. I’d witnessed him directing that look at professors who caved under it.
I gave credit to Beatrice because she didn’t flinch.
“Fine, have it your way,” she shrugged. “You’re going to regret your decision, then it’ll be too late.” She gave him an evil smirk and left the room.
I waited for him to comment on what she’d said. When it became apparent he wasn’t going to, I broke the silence.
“What the hell did she mean by that?” I asked as we exited the building and headed toward the lake.
“I don’t know, nor do I care.” Rue settled his serious, frosty blue eyes on me, “And neither should you.”
I frowned, “It’s not going to keep me up at night, but I am curious.”
He stared at me for a moment, then sighed, “My father has business dealings with Selene’s father. She and Beatrice probably hoped that it would lead me to become part of her Faction.”
I stopped walking, and he looked at me in question. “Wait, does that mean she already knows she’s Nexus?”
“I’m sure she hopes so. Whether it’s so or not, I don’t know, nor do I care. Regardless, my father knows better than to speak for me. I’ll choose my own destiny.” He gave a tug on my hand, and we began walking again.
He apparently was a man of few words. I knew next to nothing about him, only what I’d observed in class. If I were to be completely honest with myself, I was a little intimidated—not just by him, but by all my Potentials. They were all incredibly good-looking, and I was just… me.
Not that I didn’t have confidence; 'fake it till you make it' was my personal mantra. I may have doubts, but none of the Passives in this school would ever be aware of it. Just a small amount of blood in the water would bring the sharks in droves.
When we approached the lake, the twins were sitting at a table loaded with food. I was impressed because it was next to impossible to nab one in such a prime location.
Jesse got up and approached us with a smile that lit up his face. “I thought I’d exaggerated your beauty in my mind. If anything, I’d downplayed it.”
He was quite the bullshitter; I was here for it.
Rue stepped partially in front of me, then mumbled to himself and moved aside.
Jesse gave him a small smile, then turned his full attention on me. “Come, my little cumquat, and see what delights await you.”
“No… that doesn’t work for me.” I frowned at him. “No one as short as I am should have a nickname like that.”
“Hmm, maybe you’re right.” He sat me at the table, then took the seat beside me. “Pocket princess?”
John took the seat across from me, and Rue sat on my other side.
“That’s a ridiculous nickname.” Rue sniffed as he filled a plate for himself.
What do you know about nicknames, Frosty?” Jesse stuck his tongue out at him.
Rue looked confused, “Who’s Frosty?”
John started laughing, “I think he’s talking about you.”
“Me?” Rue’s eyes widened. “Are you trying to give me a nickname too?” Rue’s tone was highly indignant.
“I thought it might be fun since we’re going to be Faction,” Jesse spoke around a mouthful of food. “Nicknames show affection. You should be honored.”
Rue eyed him in disgust, then looked at me, “Are you certain he’s a Potential?”
“Hey!” Jesse frowned at Rue, “Don’t be like that. I bring a lot to a Faction, Frosty.”
“Like what?” Rue squinted, still obviously annoyed by the nickname.
“Like me, for one.” John grinned.
Jesse laughed, “Can’t argue with that, Frosty. He’s pretty great and still comes in second to me.” He fluttered his lashes. “I have a fantastic sense of humor, I’m smart, well-spoken, handsome… shall I go on?”
“Lacks confidence,” Rue commented, tongue in cheek, and tried to hide his grin at Jesse’s overinflated ego.
But I saw it. Maybe these men could make this work in due time.
John rolled his eyes, apparently deciding a change of subject was in order: “So Adelaide, how prepared are you for initiation?”
I nibbled at the sandwich that Jesse had put on my plate. “I’ve been preparing for it for years.”
“That doesn’t really answer my question.” He frowned, “What have you trained in?”
“I told you to ease into these kinds of subjects.” Jesse slapped John’s hand when he reached for a grape. “Those are for Pookie Poo, Bro. Keep your grubby paws off.”
“No.” I gave him a droll look.
He motioned, crumpling up a piece of paper and throwing it over his shoulder, “On to the next.”
“She’s been trained in all of the fighting methods taught on Aurathia and a few from Earth. Also, she’s had extensive training in survival methods and carries a pack with her at all times with supplies.” Rue, aka Frosty, dropped all of that info like it was no big deal.
I looked down at the bright pink pack at my feet, then eyed Frosty with suspicion. What the hell?
“Damn, dude, stalker much?” Jesse asked in shock. He turned to John, “Is it wrong that I’m sort of impressed?”
Rue gave Jesse a smug look, “I take care of the things that are important to me.” Then he resumed eating like none of this was out of the ordinary.
“How do you have all of that information?” I asked him, way more calmly than I felt. The fact that I was unaware of this level of observation freaked me out.
I needed to be better than that.
Frosty (I liked that nickname for him.) finished chewing his food and then wiped his mouth on a napkin. “You probably don’t remember, but we’ve met before.”
I wrinkled my brow, “When?”
“We were just small children and were both at the same birthday party…one of the Council members' children, as I recall. You walked by, and our hands brushed. I knew then our destiny was intertwined.” He turned and began eating again.
“But how do you know so much about me?” I wasn’t just going to let this drop.
He sighed and turned to me once again, “It wasn’t hard, I did my due diligence. I needed to make sure you were being prepared properly, and you were. I’ve kept an eye on you since you arrived here, and it’s clear that the fates saw fit to give me a Nexus that was superior to any other.”
“Wow.” Jesse said in wide-eyed amazement, “Just W-O-W.”
John cleared his throat, “Well, as interesting as that is, I think there are other topics we need to cover.”
I could tell John was going to be our mediator if this Faction ever became a reality. I, on the other hand, was still trying to wrap my head around Frosty’s admissions. This guy was next level. I could see why so many Aurathions wanted him as a potential.
Jesse waggled his brows, “Sexy times?”
John hit him on the back of the head, “No, moron.”
Frosty’s face turned red, and he scowled at Jesse. “You’re ridiculous.”
I threw my head back and laughed. We were all going to get along just fine.