The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven (85 page)

             
“Roman, I’m sorry I really didn’t –”

             
He put up a hand to stop me. “It’s okay. I know you didn’t.” I could see in his eyes he felt guilty for what he said and thought he deserved getting body slammed into the wall.

             
“Ella, do you think you could do it again?” Gabe asked.

             
“Oh, I don’t know?”

             
“Could you try?”

             
“I guess?”

             
“Good. You can try on me then,” Gabe said.

             
“Oh, no, I don’t want to hurt you.”

             
He laughed. “I think I can handle it. Besides, you have the power to heal if anything goes wrong.”

             
“That’s not encouraging,” I sighed.

             
“Just concentrate. Remember what you learned in your powers class.” I never thought those breathing techniques were any good until now. I closed my eyes and tried to focus. Breathing in, and out steadily. “Ready?” Gabe asked.

             
“Ready,” I said.

             
He came at me and I panicked. I threw my hands up trying to block his moves, but he was faster and stronger. “Ella concentrate!” he yelled.

             
“I can’t,” I shouted.

             
“Yes you can! Do it! Now!” he screamed.

             
It took everything I had, but I found the power deep down inside me. I concentrated on that, pulling strength from it. I flung my hands out as I had before and watched as Gabe struck the invisible wall, flying backwards, and hitting the floor. He didn’t go as far as Roman but it was enough to knock him down. “Gabe, are you okay?”

             
He stood up laughing. “I’m fine,” he said, walking back over to me. “I think you might have proven me wrong,” he smiled proudly at me.

             
“Is this another new power?” I asked.

             
“I believe so,” Gabe said.

             
“But how is that possible? Most vamps only have two at the most, but never three different types of powers?” Roman said, scratching his head.

             
“That’s because Ella is special. She is going to change everything,” Gabe said, smiling again like a proud parent.

             
Roman just stood there staring at me. “What,” I said, starting to feel self-conscious with the way he was staring.

             
“Nothing,” he said, giving me a faint smile.

             
“Ella, I’d like to work with you on this new power of yours,” Gabe said.

             
“That’s great, but can we maybe do that tomorrow?” I asked, feeling run down.

             
“Of course, I think you guys had enough for today.”

             
I sighed thankful and headed into the girls’ locker room to shower. When I stepped outside of the locker room Roman was there pacing back and forth. “Hey,” I said surprised.

             
He stopped when I addressed him. “Okay, so, um…” He ran a nervous hand through his hair. “I’m not sure how to say this so I’m just going to say it.” I waited with my arms crossed while he tried to spit it out. “Okay, I know I can be a real dick sometimes.”

             
“No, you?” I said sarcastically.

             
“Look, I’m trying here,” he snapped. He caught himself and took a breath. “Sorry, just be…quiet…till I’m done.” I gestured for him to finish, interested in what he had to say.

             
“So, it’s clear I have some anger issues,” he gave me a warning look and I bit my tongue. “But I’m working on it. I say a lot of stupid shit and don’t realize it until it’s too late.”

             
“Is there a point, because I basically knew all of this?”

             
I knew he was trying really hard not to get upset. “What I’m trying to say is I’m working on it, okay. But you don’t make it easy.”

             
“So it’s my fault you’re an ass?”

             
“Yes, I mean no, ugh!” he growled frustrated. “I just, I’m sorry, okay? I was out of line. I should have never said those things and I didn’t mean them,” he said like he sincerely meant it.

             
“Yes you did.” I put my hand up to stop him from protesting. “But I accept your apology,” I said. Watching the way he struggled to get it out, I knew it was hard for him to admit that.

             
“Good, ‘cause you know I don’t just give these things away,” he said, returning to his normal self.

             
“I think you’re just afraid because you know I can kick your ass,” I smiled.

             
“Alright, so that’s how it’s going to be? How about we see who wins when it’s a fair fight,” he challenged.

             
“That was a fair fight,” I said defensively.

             
“It was up until you blasted me into the wall.”

             
He had me there. “Alright, how do you suppose we make it fair?”

             
“Ask one of the witches to cast a spell to block our powers.”

             
“I don’t think Gabe will go for that.”

             
“I think he’ll love the idea. Remember he did say we should be able to defend ourselves without using our powers.”

             
“Okay, you’re on,” I said, shaking his hand, and when I did I felt that same spark I felt when our arms brushed lightly in the library. I could see in his eyes he felt it too.

             
“Hey Roman,” Blake called, breaking us from our spell.

             
“I should go,” I said, quickly turning to leave. I rounded the corner and stopped. I knew I shouldn’t, but I was curious. I stood still and listened carefully to their conversation.

             
“What was that about?” Blake asked.

             
“Oh, nothing. We were just talking about our training sessions,” Roman said.

             
“I wouldn’t mind going a few rounds with her,” Blake replied and I had to try hard not to get sick. “Is she as crazy as they say she is?” I scoffed at Blake’s comment. It took everything I had not to jump around the corner and show him just how crazy I could be.

             
“Since when did you care if a chick was crazy or not?”

             
“True, either way it makes no difference to me. Although I learned from experience the crazier the chick the better they are in bed.”

             
“Please, the only experience you have is with your mom.”

             
I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

             
“More like your mom,” Blake said.

             
“Shut up,” Roman laughed. “C’mon, let’s get some grub.”

             
I hurried down the hall so they wouldn’t see me. Then I headed straight for the dining hall because like always, I was starving.

             
Today our table was filled to capacity. Blake and Reagan had rejoined our table as did Roman. By the time I got there, there were no seats left. “Here,” Roman said, pulling a chair from another table.

             
“Thanks,” I said softly. I turned to Dixon and asked quietly, “So how come Reagan and Blake are sitting here again? I thought Reagan and Justin had a falling out?” I knew Dixon was the queen of gossip. If anyone knew anything he definitely did.

             
He leaned in closely. “Well, from what I heard, Reagan found out that Addyson purposely played him and Justin against each other and used them both just so she could become part of Mackenzie’s coven.”

             
“Those three are truly evil,” I said, glaring at Mackenzie as her and her
‘coven’
walked in. As if she knew I was talking about her, she turned toward me, and gave me her best vindictive smile. Clearly she had no remorse for what she did. “She needs to be stopped.”

             
“Who?” Sienna asked.

             
“Who do you think?” I said.

             
“Mackenzie,” Sienna and Cameron said together.

             
“You don’t want to go up against Mackenzie, trust me,” Austin chimed in.

             
“Yeah, you didn’t hear about the last girl who tried to take revenge on them,” Blake said.

             
“What happened to her?” I asked, more out of curiosity than fear. 

             
“Let’s just say they never found the body.”

             
I rolled my eyes. “Please, I managed to survive an attack by a crazy vamp. I think I can handle a tiny blond with split ends,” I said.

             
“I wouldn’t underestimate her,” Reagan said. Part of me knew he was right. I already seen what she could do with that spell she put on Aidan and me. I couldn’t even begin to think how truly powerful she really was.

             
All of a sudden we heard a huge commotion out in the hall. I froze not sure what was going on. There were a few grunts and growls as the doors flew open and a large man tumbled down the steps. Roman got up and stood in front of me defensively, which really pissed me off because clearly he thought I couldn’t take care of myself.

             
“What’s going on?” Riley asked, craning her neck to see. I stood up and tried to get a better look at the young man as guardians flew into the surrounding area and attacked him. He was strong and took them out with ease. He picked off each guardian one by one as they came at him.

             
“Wow, look at him go. He’s amazing he’s –”

             
“Oh my god,” I said, interrupting Dixon when I caught a glimpse of his profile and stood up. I knew I had to stop this before it was too late.

             
I tried to get past Roman but he wouldn’t budge. “Ella, what are you doing?”

             
“I need to stop this,” I said.

             
“What are you crazy?” Dean said, blocking my other side. I had no way out.

             
I knew I would get my ass chewed out for this later but right now it was my only option. “Dean, get out of my way.”

             
“No way,” he said standing firm.

             
“Move or I’ll make you move,” I growled. He stood there with his arms crossed. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I tried to shove past him again but he shoved me back. So I attacked. I knocked him to the ground.

             
“Oh my god!” Sienna shrieked, thinking I’ve lost it.

             
“Ella!” Roman yelled, grabbing my arm. I turned on him next but he wasn’t as easy to take down as Dean.

             
“What the hell has gotten into you?” Cameron yelled. “Stop this!”

             
But I didn’t stop. I didn’t have time to. I managed to back Roman up enough to make a getaway. I leapt onto a table to get out of his reach and ran full speed across it, leaping from table to table and right into the middle of the scuffle.

             
“Stop!” I yelled, but no one listened. This time I put some force behind it. “Stop!” I yelled again. My voice boomed and echoed throughout the entire room. There was so much power in it, it silenced everyone and stopped the fighting.

             
One of the guardians turned to me, eyes wide. “Miss,” he began, choking on his words. I looked at him funny. “You need to step away,” he said, taking a step back from me like he was scared. I held my head higher, thinking,
“you better move.” 

             
“No, this is just a big misunderstanding,” I said, pleading with them. I looked around the room as everyone stared at me a little frightened.
Huh, didn’t think I was that intimidating, but okay.

             
“What is going on?” Gabe asked, coming into the room.

             
“Gabe, tell them to back off,” I said.

             
Gabe froze when he saw me, his eyes grew wide, and then he quickly collected himself. “Stand down men,” he said.

             
“But sir –”

             
“I said stand down!” he yelled. “This child is not a threat.”