Vladimir's POVThe forest was devoid of any sound, be it from the small animals that made this place home, or pesky humans, and I savored the silence. Twenty yards way, my wildcat trampled through the small cluster of trees like a bear on the warpath, trying to find the perfect hiding spot. She found it eventually in a small bush. Or at least, what passed as one for Jo. The tall grasses were long, but there wasn't enough of it to effectively hide her body.She lay down in it's midst, letting the tall grasses cover her. I chuckled quietly, and for a moment, I wanted to tell her that she was very visible in the grass. For goodness sake, her sneakers were showing. I didn’t, only because it would be most reprehensible of me if I didn’t let the girl have her fun. It’s not her fault I had the advantage of supernatural abilites. Joanne wanted something from me. Until I discovered what it was, I would let this little game of hers play out. Peharps, I might even have a litt
Josie's POVGrayson is here?Jesus H. Christ. Grayson is here!I ran and flung myself at him. With a surprised laugh, he caught me and I was enveloped in the scent of spice, leather and the unique musk that was all Grayson.I clung to him harder, feeling overwhelmed all of a sudden. Grayson was here! He came for me! Wait, does that mean my dad is here too?“It’s great to see you too.” He rumbled as I disengaged from him.The question I’d wanted to ask died on my tongue as I took in his crooked smile…..and the rest of his face. Grayson looked...haggard. I didn’t know how else to describe him. He looked pale, which in itself was a shock because his skin was more of a rich golden hue. His eyes were sunken and he had bags under his eyes. The beginnings of a scar was in his neck, peeking out beneath his shirt and he looked like he had lost a few pounds
Josie's POV(Continued) For the second time this week, I was at Tartu’s airport terminal. Just like last time, I was feeling a myriad of emotions. The difference today is the spark of hope I feel. Grayson was right after all. Arthur didn’t stop being my dad simply because our genes were different. Right on the heels of that thought was fear. What if Mum really threw me out? I coughed, something in the air blocking my nose. “Are you okay, Jo?” Grayson asked as we bypassed the line of on-boarders and security. “Yeah, I think I swallowed the wrong way or something.” We emerged onto the runway, where a very elegant but small plane was waiting for us. Three men in silver and black clothing similar to the get up of the huge scary men with weapons waited by the plane. I clung to Grayson, the sudden comparison filling me with a bout of fear. “Don’t be scared Jo. They are my colleagues.” when we mov
Josie's POV(Continued)My head was both light and heavy, my world nothing but an endless pool of darkness. It was a contradiction of the worst kind. I felt not only light in my head but in every part of me, like I would float away at any moment, and yet, my limbs were so heavy, each part weighed tons.A persistent sound kept intruding on my senses, making my thoughts scatter. The sound was getting louder, demanding I pay attention to it.".....if you don't undo it, I will end you myself!" An enraged voice bellowed, snagging my attention away from the strange state I was in. The enraged voice was familiar, but I couldn't immediately place it.A muffled thud and a yelp followed the words.Then a slow, deep voice rumbled. "Lay another finger on me hunter, and I will relieve you of your limbs." My eyes sprang open.White chandelier. I was staring at a white chandelier i
Josie's POV (Continued)Horns blared, feet moved and people muttered curses as I shoved my way through them.Where was I going? I didn't have the slightest clue. But I'll be damned if it wasn't as far away from Vladimir Sedof and Grayson Callahan as possible. How many lies could they tell me? Why I'm I not visible to anyone except for what they can get out of me? Seriously, do I have pawn written in my fate somewhere? Always forever to be used.Arthur and his wife took me in in exchange for inheritance. Vladimir wants to use me as a weapon in a revenge plot. And Grayson? What the hell is Grayson's deal? Because whatever else may be happening, his actions are anything but altruistic and I am damn tired of being played.I love him! Half my entire life, I have loved him! Even when he didn't see me as anything but a friend. I'd done my best to be there, to be supportive. Even if he didn't love me back, I t
Josie's POV(Continued)“Miss Woods is in room forty-five. Turn left here, and you will find a bank of elevators. Stop on the third floor. Room forty-five is the third door to your right." The receptionist in the Skyline hotel recited in a cautious tone. I wondered why she was using that tone of voice with me."Thank you." I replied numbly, turning to follow her instructions."Um, miss? Are you okay? Do you need a doctor or something?" She asked in a neutral voice, her green eyes roving all over my appearance. I had a good guess as to why she asked that question.My eyes threatened to cloud with tears, but with supreme effort, I held it back."No. Thank you, but that will not be necessary." I turned away and hurried to the bank of elevators. Thankfully, there was no one waiting to use the elevator as well. I got in and pressed on the third button. The floors only went to nine. Behind the gold pa
Josie's POV(Continued)"Um. Maybe we should go to the hospital?" Char suggested carefully."No doctor can fix this. No amount of drugs can erase this goddamn surreal reality. Jo. Josie. Joanne. Who am I? I used to be Josie. I was fine, damnit! I might have not been very happy, but I knew my place. Jo was just a nickname. And then that bastard shows up, and now I don't even have my name! Now I'm supposed to be Joanne. But ever since I got here, I just keep crying and screaming and getting confused. They tell me only what they want me to know. Won't explain anything else! One video call. Just one and it lasted ten minutes and I don't have a home to go back to. No family to call mine and I'm supposed to be fine with it. But I dealt with that as best as I could. I tried to rationalize, to move on. But then Grayson shows up and he dangles the idea of redemption in my face. All I had
Josie's POV(Continued)I emerged from the shower feeling like a pruned lobster. When the scalding hot water was pouring over me, I'd been in bliss, but when I finally forced myself to leave the sanctuary of cascading waters, my skin was red all over. But my head was clear and I felt almost nothing, so mission accomplished. Waiting for me outside the cubicle was a green dress. It didn't look too bad, nor was it plain. I picked it up and stared at Char's offering with bewilderment. The dress was....short to put it mildly. There was no pant or jean to go along with it. This backless monstrosity would leave my thighs and knees in full view of everyone. Okay, where had my conservative friend gone? I should have known something was wrong the second she suggested we go clubbing. A place where we would naturally stand out as sore thumbs."Char! Where's the rest of the dress?" I yelled at the front d