LAILAH
SEVEN
Watching Micah storm away hurt me more than the words he’d hurled at me.
I knew that Micah and I had a very tenuous friendship, if you could even call it that, but I didn’t mean to lash out at him like that.
For some reason, every time we were around each other, he seemed to always be picking a fight with me.
Something about him brought out my need to fight and prove myself.
I started to follow after him, but Brayden grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug. “Let him be. When he gets like this, no one can talk sense into him. Once he cools off, he’ll realize he was being an asshole.”
“If you say so. You know him better than anyone,” I said, taking in a deep, calming breath of his fresh, earthy scent.
“You also have to keep in mind that you’ll be much more emotional for a little while as you adjust to your powers. One reason it goes unnoticed for us is because it typically hits around puberty.”
“So, you're telling me that for the foreseeable future, I’ll be PMSing?” I asked, leaning back so I could see his face.
“Ah . . .” Brayden said, shifting uncomfortably, not wanting to look me in the eye.
I laughed, seeing how the mere mention of a woman’s cycle made him cringe. “Seriously, you have sisters, and you’re freaking out about this?” I teased.
“My mom dealt with all that, I just stayed out of the way. You’re the first female to have an elemental power, so I really have no idea how it’s going to affect you, honestly.”
“Fair enough,” I said, blowing out a breath and feeling calmer. “We should probably head back—wouldn’t want to miss my next class or Beth might send out the search party again.”
The rest of the day went smoothly. I even had another quiz in Organic Chemistry, and thanks to Hudson, I felt much more confident in my answers.
I swung by the cafe and grabbed a chai before heading to the dorm to get some homework done.
Sometime later, my phone chirped, letting me know I got a text.
After what happened this morning, I figured it was best to leave the sound on just in case.
Beth:
Can you come to the house tonight? I have a few more things I would like to discuss with you.
Lailah:
Sure, when did you want me to come over?
Beth:
Are you free now? I don’t want to keep you too late.
Lailah:
Okay, I’m on my way.
Beth:
Lovely. You can join us for dinner if you'd like.
My mouth watered at the thought of Sarah and Garrett’s cooking. It’d only been a weekend, but I was already spoiled, and nothing from the cafeteria could live up to their cooking.
Lailah:
Sounds awesome. Be there soon.
Stretching from sitting for so long, I grabbed my jacket and headed down.
Not having been running for the past few days, I decided on taking the stairs so that I could get my blood pumping a little.
Bursting out of the stairwell, I spotted a group of girls crowded around the front entry looking out at something.
Peeking over the shoulder of one of the girls, I saw what caught their attention.
Now I understood the gawking. Jay was leaning against his Jeep, arms crossed over his chest, showing off his muscles.
I’m sure he had no idea what a stir he was causing, but I took a moment to appreciate him.
I can’t say I’d ever been that drawn to an Asian guy before, but there was something in the mystery of Jay that did it for me.
I pushed my way through the crowd and exited the door.
I could feel Jay’s eyes on me the moment I stepped outside, even if I couldn’t see past the lenses of his aviators.
Jay couldn’t help the soldier vibe he gave off; it was truly in his blood.
His hair was freshly buzzed, and as always, he was clean-shaven.
This was the first time I’d seen him in black fatigues—he must have come right from working with his dad.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” I asked, knowing the answer but fighting back my grin.
Pushing away from the car, he opened the door for me. “Beth.”
“Figures. She probably thinks I’m going to get lost on my way over to the Manor,” I said, grabbing the handle to help pull myself up into his car.
“That’s because you would.”
I paused at his words and giggled as he jumped into the driver's seat. “Did you just make a joke at my expense?”
“It’s not a joke when it’s true.”
This caused me to burst out laughing, and Jay just gave me a raised eyebrow.
“The fact that you guys know me well enough to send an escort is killing me. My own family still forgets this flaw of mine anytime we go somewhere new. I could regale you with so many stories of family vacations where I got lost and they spent half the day trying to find me. I think the only reason I got a cell phone so young is so they could just call me to find out where I’d wandered off to. ”
“You sound close to your family.”
“Yes, I’m very blessed to have amazing parents and some overbearing brothers. What about you? I don’t really hear you talk about anyone besides your dad,” I asked, turning my gaze towards him.
“My parents had an arranged marriage, and I am their only child,” Jay answered succinctly.
It was moments like this that I couldn’t tell if he didn’t want to talk about it or if it was just his normal tendency to just give the facts. I didn’t press the issue, since we’d already pulled into the large underground garage where the guys kept their vehicles.
Jay waited for me to hop out of the Jeep before he led the way into the house. We walked up a short flight of steps to the main floor of the house back near the kitchen. As we walked through, I waved at Sarah, who was busy getting dinner ready. She smiled back and gave me a wink.
“Ah, Lailah, perfect timing. Thank you for picking her up on your way back, Jalen,” Beth said as she met us in the foyer.
Jay nodded once, a quick, sharp movement, and started up the stairs, leaving me with Beth.
“Let's have a seat in the library. It's more comfortable than my office, and I don’t want you thinking you're in trouble.”
Is Beth a mind reader? How did she know that I was concerned she was going to yell at me for what happened today? Letting her lead, I followed her into the library, and we both settled into armchairs next to each other.
“First, I wanted to apologize.” She paused, seeing what I’m sure was a shocked expression on my face. “These boys are like my own children, and even though you haven’t known me that long, I view you that way as well. I have been keeping an eye on you since I got your application last year.”
Frowning, I opened my mouth, but she held up her hand to stop me. “Please, I promise I will answer any questions you have, but let me explain myself first.”
Deciding to give her that, I settled back in my chair, ready to listen.
“The world of demons is new to you, but I’ve grown up knowing about them and what lengths they will go to in order to plunge this world into darkness.
As you have seen, almost no one around you is safe from their tricks.
We of the Elementi are smart and well-educated to see the signs around us, but we are only human and will fail from time to time.
” Beth paused to let that sink in. “Knowing that your family has no idea who and what you are, or of the darkness that is around us all the time, I couldn’t leave you unprotected.
I had a few of our best men and women watching you from afar to make sure you got here to us safe and sound.
“Now that you are here and know that you’re Synergy, it only makes the world more dangerous for you.
I trust the boys to take care of you, but they are also still learning and have more growing to do.
Today when you didn’t show up to class, I chose not to listen to Cami and Brayden when they told me you were okay.
I assumed the worst. It’s my job to assist them and you in this battle, but ultimately, it’s the six of you who are going to change the world.
I need to let you guys grow, fail, and get back up again.
” Beth sighed heavily like she was releasing a weight from her shoulders.
“So, I hope you can forgive me for doubting you and the others.”
All the irritation I had towards Beth melted away at her explanation.
This was something I’d seen my mother have to go through with my brother when he went off to college.
They got into arguments all the time when my brother would do things without telling her, or do things she didn’t agree with.
Beth and I didn’t know each other very well, and we were going to have the same bumps in the road as we figured things out between us.
“There is nothing to forgive; hearing your side of things makes sense. I appreciate you looking out for me,” I said, giving her a smile.
Beth smiled back and reached out to squeeze my hand. “Thank you.”
A knock sounded on the door, and Sarah popped her head in. “Dinner will be ready shortly, but I can hold off if you need more time.”
“We’re ready when you are, Sarah,” Beth answered, getting up from her chair.
“Lailah, are you joining us for dinner?” Sarah asked.
“Absolutely. I’ll never turn down the opportunity to eat anything prepared by you and your husband.”
“Lovely, I’ll set a plate for you. Looks like everyone will be home tonight but Micah.”
I wanted so badly to ask why Micah wasn’t home, but decided to leave it alone. I wasn’t sure I could handle it if I found out it was because we got into a fight. Making my way to the dining room, I picked a random spot and sat down.
“Well this is a nice surprise, I didn’t know you were coming for dinner,” Hudson said as he entered the room and sat across from me.
“Uh-oh, Trouble in the house,” Parker called as he plopped down next to me.
“Stop embarrassing her or she might never want to come have dinner with us again,” Brayden said as he walked in.
I grinned as the guys sat down, loving the dynamic of them all together. “Wait, where’s Jay?”
“Here,” Jay said, from the seat on my right.
I jumped and swore under my breath to see him sitting there as calm as could be. His eyes shimmered with humor, pleased with catching me off guard.
“One of these days I’m going to put a bell on you,” I grumbled.
“Still won’t hear me. I control air,” Jay pointed out.
“I’m pleased to see that I’m not the only one he does that to,” Hudson said, winking at me.
Conversation paused as dinner was set on the table and we all dished up our plates. Everything looked delicious, and I was afraid to run out of space on my plate for everything. It was like eating a holiday dinner with all the options.
“You know, I don’t think we’ve actually told Lailah what element we each have,” Brayden mused.
My ears perked up at this. The guys all knew what I was, and I had a hunch as to what each of them could be, but I didn’t know for sure.
“I think we should make her guess first. It’s more fun that way,” Parker said, wagging his brows at me with an excited grin.
“Does everything need to be a game, Parker?” Hudson said, frowning.
Parker shrugged his shoulders, then looked at me expectantly.
“Fine, I’ll take a guess. Jay just told me he controls air, so that one I know. Brayden I know is earth, so there’s three left. My guess is Parker fire, Hudson spirit, and Micah water,” I guessed.
Parker looked down at me, mouth gaping like a fish. “Wow, you suck at this game. Why did you think I was fire? How in the hell am I anywhere close to being like Micah?”
“Unfortunately, none of those were right,” Hudson said. “I am water, Parker spirit, and Micah is fire, if you couldn’t already guess that.”
“This is why we should have just told her. You're offended, and now she feels bad,” Brayden said, giving me an apologetic smile.
“Whatever. Being spirit is way cooler than fire anyways,” Parker pouted.
Racking my brain, I tried to think of something that could get us off this subject. “What is everyone doing for Thanksgiving? It’s a few weeks away, the holidays are coming fast.”
The guys paused and gave me a strange look, then looked at each other as if silently trying to communicate with each other.
“We don’t do Thanksgiving,” Jay said, breaking the silence.
“What? Who doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving? It’s all about food and being grateful. Who can’t get behind that?” I questioned, utterly confused.
“What was the original purpose of Thanksgiving?” Hudson asked.
“Well, the pilgrims left England . . .” I started to explain when understanding hit me like a brick, and I dropped my head in my hands. “Oh God, I’m such an idiot. Of course you guys don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, it's an American holiday.”
Parker, unable to hold it in any longer, started laughing, causing me to follow and then the rest of the table, Beth included.
“Oh man, Trouble, that was amazing. I needed a good laugh.”