Jared (The Protectors #2)(20)

“What’s wrong with you?” Adam asked as he came back into the kitchen fresh from his quick shower.

“Nothing! Why?” Tessa flipped her burned hand around then slung it behind her back. “Nothing’s wrong.” God she sounded like a freakin idiot. Peeking up at Jared she frowned when he tried to cover his grin.

“Ah…okay.” Adam eyed her, popping a piece of bacon in his mouth. “Them eggs done yet?”

Flustered, Tessa turned away from everyone happy to hide her red face as she finished the eggs before placing them on the table.

Everyone made their way to the table, the aroma of bacon too hard to resist. Jared stopped Adam as he started digging in the food. “Wait for your sister.

“Come on Tess.” Adam eyed the food on the table. “I’m starved.”

Grabbing her steaming cup of coffee Tessa sat down. “Go for it.” She nodded at the food.

Everyone was quiet, the only sound was the cling of utensils against plates. Tessa did her best to keep her eyes off the warrior sitting at her kitchen table like he owned it. His presence was overwhelming to say the least.

“Can I ask you a question?” Matt broke the silence, directing the question to Jared.

Jared looked up from his plate, his steady gaze landing directly on the boy. “Yes?”

“Will I ever get as big as you?” Matt, who was a small sixteen year old when he’d been turned, asked with hope.

“No.”

Tessa was slightly disappointed at his one word response. Looking at Matt nearly broke her heart. His face filled with disappointment, he looked so sad and lost. She opened her mouth to say something to hopefully make him feel better, but Jared spoke.

Jared pushed his plate away leaning back in his chair. He rubbed his hand down his face before looking at the boy again. “Has anyone talked to you about it?”

“No.” Matt replied picking up his fork lightly tapping on the table. “Not really.”

“Jesus.” Jared hissed under his breath looking around the table of curious eyes, eyes of five kids who had a life where life stood still. “Has anyone talked to you guys about anything at all?”

Most shook their heads no, except the one who wanted to appear like a badass shrugged his shoulder like he didn’t care, but his eyes said different. “Most of our parents put us out because they couldn’t handle having their kid being a vampire. We’ve been staying here with Adam and Tessa. No one really gives a shit about us.” Dillon spoke up.

“Dillon.” Tessa scolded.

“Well they don’t.” He frowned.

“Matt.” Jared began, glancing at the boy trying to show no pity, something the boy definitely did not need. “You will always be the same as you are now.”

“But that’s not fair!” Matt slammed his fork down rattling the whole table. “I don’t want to live like this forever.”

“Are you getting picked on?” Jared glared back at Dillon and another boy named Jeff.

“Sometimes.” Matt frowned. “Never mind. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“If it’s bothering you then yeah, you should have brought it up.” Jared pushed back his chair as he stood. “All of you should be helping each other.”

Tessa nodded looking at Jill, the only female, who she knew of, that had been turned. She never said a word, keeping to herself. She was a smart beautiful girl, but never opened up to anyone. Tessa had tried, but nothing she did ever worked.

Jared looked around at all five of the half-breeds. “One of the most prominent leaders in the Council is fourteen years old. He is one of the smartest most fearless people I have ever met. Another warrior told me once that he would never want to go up against him in a fight because he would surely lose.”

“Fourteen?” Jeff piped up. “No way could a fourteen year old beat a warrior.”

“Matt, come here.” Jared waited until Matt got up from the table to stop in front of him. “Adam do you think Matt could beat you at arm wrestling?”

The room became charged with excitement. Adam looked at Matt sizing him up then shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe.”

“Why maybe?” Jared asked waving for Adam to come over.

“Depends on if he’s come into his full power.” Adam replied staring down at Matt. “I haven’t yet.”

“Do you think you can beat Adam?” Jared asked Matt who stood at least three maybe four inches shorter than Adam. Where Adam had muscles, Matt was stick thin.

“No.” Matt frowned, shifting from one foot to the other not liking the attention he was getting.

Jared pushed plates to the middle of the table out of the way. “Well, let’s find out.” The excitement built around the room. Once they were seated Jared had them clasp hands in the classic arm wrestling grasp. “When I let go that’s your signal to start.” His large hand sat on top of theirs.

As soon as he raised his hand Matt and Adam fought against each other, the room erupted in cheers, shouts of encouragement and advice on how to best one another. Tessa smiled enjoying the moment. Most days these kids were quiet and didn’t seem to enjoy much out of life. Adam ended up winning, but Matt actually gave him a run for his money. Adam patted Matt on the back as did Jeff and Dillon to everyone’s surprise.