13. Jasmine
JASMINE
“We should go for a walk.” I push off of Jake to stand and hold my hand out.
“What about dinner?” he asks, standing and resting his hand in mine.
I shrug. “We could eat when we get back? I’d like to show you something.”
Jake nods and helps me put the food in the fridge for later. The forests have been my escape since I’ve been here, and there’s a section of the grove that’s full of flowers and wildlife.
Fifteen minutes later, and we’re sitting on a fallen log, staring at the field.
I cross one leg over the other, fiddling with the hem of my shirt. “This is where I go when life gets too hard.”
Jake’s attention turns to me, but I know if I don’t keep talking, I’ll shy away from telling him more.
“When I first moved to Fernhollow, I found this place. It wasn’t as dense as this, but I remember never seeing so many colors in one place. There was a bird.” I chuckle, thinking of the memory. “A little crow. It landed next to me and…and it was so small and fragile and…”
Jake’s hand cups mine. I glance at him and smile.
“That was the second time this week I’ve sensed demons near me. The first time, I…”
Blood. Crushed bones. Shadows.
“It’s okay,” Jake says. “You don’t have to—”
“I want to tell you. I need to.”
Jake nods, and I take a deep breath before I continue. “I used magic I’ve hidden for a long time, magic I’ve promised myself I wouldn’t touch after I, uh, moved here. I could have done it again yesterday, but I didn’t.”
“I could have protected us,” Jake says, and I know he means well.
“Have you ever fought a demon?” I ask.
Jake shakes his head. “But I’m the muscle of the pack, Jasmine. When there’s a fight, I’m the one on the front line.”
“You don’t have to protect me, Jake. Fighting a demon…it’s not often a battle you can win, especially if you lack magic.”
“How do you…” Jake doesn’t finish his question, but I know he’s wondering how I know all of this. And I don’t blame him. I would be the same way if I were in his shoes. To him, I’m not a half demon princess, I’m a simple girl who lives in a small town full of paranormal creatures.
“Experience? And I know you’re looking at me like that because it’s wild to hear, but I need you to trust me—which I also know is a big ask, but I…It’s been a long time since I’ve trusted someone.”
“And you trust me?”
I chew on my bottom lip and nod. “I trusted you from the moment we met.”
“When I tripped over a branch and fell?” Jake chuckles.
“Yeah,” I say. “When you fell for me.”
Jake rolls his eyes and bumps into my shoulder in jest.
After the laughter dies down, we sit in silence, both staring at the field of flowers. We watch the birds land on the tree branches, and the bees circle the plants. We watch the clouds drift by, the sun peeking through every once in a while to bathe us in its warmth.
I’m surprised when the clouds suddenly darken overhead.
“Was it supposed to rain today?” Jake asks.
I barely get the question out before a murder of crows lands on every branch around us. We both stand from the bench.
“Jake—”
“Jasmine, stay behind me. I think that’s a…” Jake’s words muffle as he steps in front of me, but there’s no mistaking the creature.
Across the clearing, a demon appears, and Jake reaches for the knife strapped to his thigh.
The man chuckles. “That blade isn’t going to stop me.”