"That's ridiculous. We all know I'm the best fighter we have," I said, still rubbing my leg with the rag.
"That may be, but this boy seems to have a power over you that renders your gifts useless," Krista said, grabbing the rag from me before I rubbed off a layer of skin.
"You guys act like he's out to get me or something," I said, swinging my legs around so I could sit back against the cushions. The scrapes on my knees protested as I bent my legs to prop them up on the coffee table in front of me.
"He must have a hidden motive," Mark said, meeting Haniel's eyes, who gave a nod of approval.
"Because God forbid he might actually be interested in me," I said sarcastically, rising to my feet. "Has it crossed anyone's mind that maybe he just likes me? Maybe after he saw me kick the ass of not one but two Daemons last night he decided I might be someone he'd like to get to know. Contrary to popular opinion around here, I might just be considered hot to the opposite sex," I added, attempting to stomp out of the room. My injuries made it more like a shuffle.
I slammed my door, cutting off anything they might have said, and threw myself on my bed.Just because I didn't share some freaky Link with someone didn't mean I was a leper or something.
A light tapping at my door interrupted my inner monologue. Krista opened the door before I could answer.
"Can we talk?" she asked.
"I guess," I said, scooting over so she could join me on my bed.
"We're only lo—" she started to say.
"Looking out for my best interest. I know, Krista. I've heard it a billion times. Everyone's always looking out for my best interest, but seriously, how badass do I have to become before you guys realize I don't need anyone. I'm not like you guys. I'm not going to fall apart being alone," I snapped. "But that also doesn't mean I can't be interested in someone."
"Jordyn, I've been on my own, and I know it's not a fun place to be. We know we're overprotective, but it's because we love you, not because you're some amazing warrior. Even if you had no gifts at all, we'd still love you the same."
"Sometimes it feels like you guys are smothering me. I want to be able to experience life without always having everyone breathing down my back. It's bad enough that I can't remember anything about my past without always having everyone hover over me. I just want a little space," I said. "I need a little space!" I clarified.
"I get that, and we'll work on giving you more space. We want you to be happy. I know Lynn leaving last month was hard on you, but you can't spend the rest of your summer moping around picking for a fight," she said, giving me her classic adult look.
I tried not to laugh. Sometimes Krista forgot that she was only five years older than me.
"Laugh it up, but taking on those Daemons without help isn't going to win you any brownie points," she said. "If you want us to treat you like an adult, you need to show you're responsible."
"But I knew I could take—" I started to say.
"Jordyn, we all know you can fight Daemons, but believe me when I say that The Dark One doesn't always play fair. Calling for help isn't being weak. It's showing responsibility," she said. "Okay, end of parental rant. Maybe when school starts, we can revisit you going out with the boy from chemistry."
"That's okay. He's really not my type," I said, thinking my type ran more toward a certain Trader.
"I see. Well, maybe you'll see ahumanwho is your type," she said, emphasizing the human part. "But, this Soul Trader, he's not for you," she added with finality.
I wanted to argue, but could see the subject was closed.
"I have no interest in Emrys," I lied, smiling through my teeth.
"Just keep it that way," she said, leaning over to give me a kiss on the head. "I love you," she said, shooting me one last worried look.
"Love you too," I said as she closed the door behind her.
My smile disappeared the moment the door closed. "Ugh, why can't I have normal guardians that were clueless to the supernatural world?" I complained, climbing off my bed. I grabbed a clean pair of knee-length grey sweats and one of the several black spaghetti-strap tank tops from the drawer. Krista had tried unsuccessfully to get me to switch to pastel colors a couple months ago, but I balked at the idea. White, black and maybe grey were my colors of choice.
With clean clothes in hand, I headed for the bathroom to grab a shower. The gentle hot water cascaded down my body, soothing my tender knee abrasions. As I gingerly scrubbed away the dried blood from my legs, my mind wandered back to the mountaintop and my encounter with Emrys. I was dying to know where he'd wanted to take me, and why he seemed to be so into me. I had my fair share of guys check me out over the last few months, but something always seemed to hold them back from actually approaching me. Lynn had thought it was the "I can kick your ass" vibe that she claimed I emitted. I tried taking her suggestions and softened my demure, but it felt phony. Besides, she said it looked like I had a bad case of constipation, so I gave up in frustration. Even when Justin from my chemistry class actually got the nerve to ask me out, I was so shocked I turned him down before it could fully register in my head. I tried to retract the rejection as soon as the words left my mouth, but the damage was done and it was too late. I was a social leper.
Emrys, though, was different. For once, I didn't feel like a big slimy leech. Haniel annoyed the hell out of me for butting in again just when things were getting interesting. Next time would be different, I resolved.
I stayed in the shower, mulling over the whole thing until the water began to run cold. By the time I was toweling off and pulling on my clean clothes, I had a whole plan worked out in my head of how the next encounter with Emrys would go, minus Haniel obviously.
Sam was sitting on my bed taking notes when I left the bathroom.
"Wow, what'd you do? Get dragged behind a car?" she asked, taking in my knees.