Smolder Chapter 14

“What, no car and driver this time? You guys are slacking,” Jade joked as Aiden approached the sleek black sports car. The shiny paintwork gleamed under the morning sun, and the leather seats practically screamed luxury.
“Nope. This car? I like to drive,” he said, grinning like a kid with a new toy. He slid into the driver’s seat, his movements practiced and smooth. Jade reached for the front passenger door, but before she could grab the handle, the back door flew open.
“Come sit next to me,” Summer chirped, her smile far too sweet to be genuine. A girl brushed past Jade and slid into the front passenger seat, staking her claim.
“Sure,” Jade muttered, swallowing her irritation as she climbed into the back. Summer shot her a triumphant glance, but Jade refused to give her the satisfaction of reacting.
Aiden revved the engine, the car growling like a panther ready to pounce. As the vehicle shot forward, Jade grabbed the overhead handle, barely managing to steady herself.
“Luke!” she yelped.
He laughed but eased off the gas. “Relax, you’re safe.”
Jade wasn’t so sure. The last time she was in a car with him, she’d been tied to the bed of a truck fighting off demons. Somehow, with Summer shooting daggers at her, this felt more dangerous.
“So, Jade,” Summer said, turning halfway to face her, her blonde hair cascading like a shampoo commercial. “Have you met Isa yet?”
Jade shook her head, and Isa, who was sitting shyly in the front seat, turned to wave. “Hi,” she said softly. Her pixie-cut hair framed her round, sweet face. Baby-blue shorts and a matching tank made her look impossibly wholesome, so much so that Jade suddenly felt like a biker chick in comparison with her black leggings and cobalt blouse.
“Nice to meet you,” she said politely, though her attention was already drifting to her phone, there was still no response from Benjamin.
Summer leaned closer, her voice dripping with fake curiosity. “You know, Aiden and Isa were a thing back in high school—”
“Summer,” Aiden cut her off, his voice tight, “now is not the time for that.”
“What?” she blinked innocently.
“Actually,” Jade interrupted, her mouth moving faster than her brain, “I did know.”
The car went silent. Both Aiden and Isa turned to stare at her. “What?” they said in unison.
Jade cringed. “Uh, yeah. I wasn’t snooping... exactly, but I saw a photo of you two on Aiden’s desk.”
Isa’s voice came out small. “You still have that photo... there?”
Jade almost felt bad for her. Almost. Aiden’s personality was too strong for someone so timid, she thought. He needed someone who could stand up to him, not someone who would cling to his every word.
“Yeah, Aiden. You still have that photo up?” Summer added with a smirk, piling on.
Aiden sighed heavily, glaring at Summer in the rearview mirror. “I thought I put that away.”
“Apparently not,” she said, far too pleased with herself.
It clicked for Jade... Summer had planted that photo on Aiden’s desk, anticipating this exact situation. She’s good, Jade thought grudgingly. But her satisfaction was short-lived as Jade caught Isa’s reflection in the side mirror. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Even Isa could see through Summer’s ploy.
Jade cleared her throat. “What was your high school like?” she asked, desperate to change the subject.
Aiden took the lifeline. “Pretty standard. Hormonal teenagers, boring classes, some good teachers, some bad. The difference? Our classes were a little... specialized. Instead of gym, we had training. Instead of advanced math, Seraphina's history. Mythology replaced Shakespeare in English. Science classes focused on how we operate; how the demon virus works.”
“Nothing crazy, huh?” Jade quipped.
Aiden shrugged. “You get used to it.”
Summer leaned back, her voice syrupy again. “You grow up faster, knowing you have a higher purpose. By graduation, you’re supposed to know how to treat your best friends with respect.” Her gaze locked on Jade with pointed intent.
Jade muttered under her breath, “Or how to be a total bit—”
“Okay!” Aiden cut in sharply, his tone brooking no argument. “Let’s make peace, not war.”
Jade crossed her arms, turning to stare out the window. Tension filled the car like a heavy fog, broken only by the purring engine and the rush of wind through the trees.
“Where are we going?” Isa asked, her cheeks flushed as if she wished she were anywhere else.
Before anyone could answer, Jade’s phone buzzed. She flipped it open, relief washing over her as she read Benjamin’s text. “It’s Benjamin. He says he’ll meet us on the road.”
Aiden nodded without looking at her.
“Who’s Benjamin?” Isa asked hesitantly.
Jade and Aiden spoke at the same time.
“Our informant.”
“My boyfriend.”
Their eyes met briefly in the rearview mirror before Jade looked away.
Summer perked up, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. “Your boyfriend’s involved in this? How? He’s not a Seraphina, is he?”
Jade laughed. “Not even close.”
“Then how does he know all this stuff?” Summer pressed.
“Oh, you’ll see,” Aiden said cryptically.
Jade couldn’t tell if he was amused or annoyed, but she didn’t care. Her focus shifted to the trees rushing past the window, her legs bouncing with anticipation.
Was it crazy to be this excited to see Benjamin after just two and a half days? No, she decided. Not when the last time they were together, they’d been running for their lives.
“Hey, Jade,” Aiden’s voice broke through her thoughts. “When Benjamin said he’d meet us on the road... did he mean literally on the road?”
“I don’t know…” Jade trailed off as she spotted a figure in the distance. It was unmistakably someone standing on the shoulder of the highway.
Aiden slowed the car, and Jade’s heart leaped as the details came into focus black hair, dark skin, dark jeans, and a black T-shirt. His piercing eyes were locked on the car. Benjamin.
“Aiden! Don’t stop!” Summer shrieked, gripping her brother’s arm. “Do you know what that is?”
Isa was already rolling down her window, preparing to act.
“Stop!” Jade shouted, fumbling with her seatbelt. She didn’t wait for the car to stop before she opened the door and jumped out, ignoring the protests behind her.
Before she could fully stand, Benjamin’s arms were around her, pulling her tight against him. His strength and his presence erased everything else. She held on as if she never wanted to let go.