Chapter 4

All day long, Amir has been flirting with me, and each time Trey interrupted us. It's kinda amusing watching him act like a protective big brother... I wish it could be something more to it, but I know I would only be fooling myself.

At lunch, Amir tried to sit next to me, but Trey pushed him out of the way and said, "I'm Callie's guard. Why don't you go sit by Phoebe? She's got a seat open over there."

Trey was right, there was plenty of room over by Phoebe, but she also happened to be at the other end of the table. Phoebe just smirked at Trey as Amir made his way over to her. Knox grumbled as he had to watch his twin sister flirt with the new guy. But he finally gave up and turned to Levi, and started talking about guard duty.

After lunch, I pulled Trey out into a quiet corner, making sure no one was around before I looked up at him. "What was that all about?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest. Does he really think I need him to protect me from Amir? Why would he do that?

"I don't know what you mean," Trey responds, running his hand through his blond hair. Why does he suddenly look nervous now? He also looks slightly guilty... That has to mean he knows exactly what I'm asking, but he's just playing dumb... which does not suit him at all! He sends me a sheepish smile before shrugging one of his shoulders.

The movement has me mesmerized for a moment. I wonder if he knows how beautiful he really is, and if he does this on purpose to distract me from making my point... which was something important! I blink rapidly trying to focus on whatever that point is before I clear my throat and try again.

"I mean with Amir?" I try to redirect his focus to the very important subject... Funny, thinking about Amir doesn't have the same effect it had on me when he touched my face. That is something I'll have to figure out later. Right now I'm focusing on Trey.

"Okay... so, I just don't trust him, Callie. You should stay away from him," Trey looks a little frustrated. He huffs and takes one of my hands in his. The warmth of it sends a little flutter to my heart. His hands are calloused and strong. I want to keep my hand in his, but I know if I do I'll end up like a giddy little girl, and I just can't let that happen.

"But didn't Jaxx say Anastasia wanted us to get to know him?" I ask, trying to take my hand out of his. He doesn't look happy about it, but let me go anyway.

Trey huffs, then places his hands on his hips and kicks the floor focusing on the tip of his boot. "The others can get to know him! I'm protecting you! You don't need him putting his hands on you," he growls. I'm surprised to see red coloring his face. Is he really that angry?

I don't know why, but I put my arms around him and give him a hug... I can at least pretend he is like a brother to me. And he looks like he needs it right now. He doesn't need to know how much I enjoy being in his arms or the fact that the feelings I have for him are far from sisterly.

The moment I wrap my arms around him, he pulls me into his strong chest and leans his cheek on top of my head. I wish we could stay like this forever. I wish he would see me like a woman and not just a little girl he needs to protect... But that will never happen.

"You guys are being summoned to the council meeting after school," he grumbles, still not letting me go. I'm not going to push him away when he feels so good. I can feel his muscles under my fingertips. I want to run my hands over his chest, but I'm not stupid enough to do something like that. He'll never talk to me again if I start acting weird... I'll just have to keep that fantasy to my dreams.

Then I think about what it was he just said to me. My mind replays it over again. Did he really say we were being summoned to a council meeting?

Well, that's a first! We aren't 18 yet, so why would they...? This must be big if they are expecting us to show up. But what exactly does this mean for us? I guess I'll have to wait, because it's no good guessing and getting all worked up over something I don't know yet.

The lunch bell rings, and reluctantly I pull away from Trey, who grabs my hand and drags me back to my next class, making sure I sit as far away from Amir as possible.

A few hours later, my friends and I all gather around the council table. I look at all the elder ladies. The women form the council, and the men form the guard. It's just the way it's always been. Not saying the women can't fight or that the men don't have magic, both are true. The men just always wanted to protect the women they care about... And at some point most of us will end up with our own guards. I was surprised I was already given a guard, but I'm pleased with who they picked for me.

Some guards are given the option of who they get assigned to, but Trey said he was assigned to me, meaning the council picked him for me... unless he was lying. And I can't think of a single reason he would lie about it.