Twenty – Five |

You're told, that when you are dealing with a fire, not to add water. Water has oxygen molecules and thus can end up feeding the flames if the flames are big enough. The second option is to suffocate the fire – if it has no oxygen to feed off of then there is no fire. This would make option two the obvious choice.

Most people pick option one.

I picked option one.

Jax picked option one.

"Let me go Cameron!" Jax snarled.

Leon had shoved me behind him, Cam had restrained Jax by wrapping one arm around his neck, the other around his shoulders. In the scuffle Jax had somehow ended up kneeling on his knees. Cam's nose was bleeding and tears were running down his face, something he ignored.

My lip was bleeding as well.

"P-Please Jax," I whispered softly taking a step forward.

Leon's arm pulled me back to whisper, "Stop Erin. He's not in the right mind."

"Bullshit! I have never thought so clearly in my goddamn life! I should have known you were trouble, I fucking told you not to come with us that day," he hissed.

Tears stung in my eyes and I looked down at the cement. He was right, this was entirely my fault and it pulled at my heart. It hurt, and I hated this feeling. His words were cut off, I looked up to see Cam throwing his brother forward. His fist colliding with his jaw.

"Don't talk to her like that. This is not her fault and you know that, but just because you're hurting right now doesn't mean you get to take it out on Mira," Cam snarled at him.

Jax stilled, his head hanging forward.

"And for what it's worth, I believe Mira. We know he killed Mcgrier we just don't have any proof. Who knows what he found out, but he knew we were onto him. Cici knew the risks too. She knew Landon was dangerous," Cam continued, "And she still continued to try and dug up dirt on him. Whatever happened, she accepted it. She cared for all of us – Mira too. So don't you dare sit there and try and put Mira down. Don't be that person."

Jax's head lifted, his eyes were glossy, and his gaze went from Cam to me I couldn't help but bite my lip. The pain swirling around those hazel eyes and it made everything inside me want to throw an ocean of gasoline into the fire.

"I am going to kill him," I said softly, then louder, "I am going to kill him."

Cam shook his head, "No, no. We need to act rational – you said he stabbed her? We need to find that knife. Some sort of proof."

"I am going to kill him," I snarled.

"No! That won't solve anything except get you banished from town!" he yelled desperate for me to listen.

I was, and I didn't care. I was going to track him down and fucking tear him from limb to limb with my own bare hands. That way Cam and Jax wouldn't be dragged into it. They would be safe, I wouldn't let anyone else die. If I did, I didn't deserve to live.

"What will you do after you kill him?" Jax's voice rumbled thick with emotions.

I looked at him, those hazel eyes watched me guarded, "I'll find a way to bring her back. I will bring her back."

"And then?" he pressed.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. So instead, I looked away.

"I'm not going to lose you too."

My eyes darted back to him, "What?"

Surely I had heard him wrong. He pushed himself up, and stormed over so quickly Leon stumbled back caught off guard. Jax's hands wrapped around me, pulling me into his chest. His hot breath was almost comforting against the top of my head.

"I'm not going to lose you too. Landon will get what's coming for him but not this way," he said angrily.

A breeze pushed through us, reminding us of the winter to come and everyone was silent. Around us, the roof village was thriving with culture and people. Oblivious to the pain we were going through near the entrance.

"Are you always so dramatic?" Leon snorted suddenly.

I pulled away to glare at him, "Are you always such an asshole?"

He shrugged, pulling out his pack of cigarettes to pop one into his mouth. He took his time lighting it then taking a long, drawled out drag.

"Will you be leaving then?" Spencer asked.

We turned to look at her, none of us answering. Until Leon cleared his throat, "It's a good idea for now. It's supposed to rain again, no point in getting eaten. Tomorrow we can decide our next moves."

Spencer nodded, turning her attention to Jax and Cam.

"And you two?"

Cam looked at Jax who stepped forward, "We still have our own mission, the town of roses needs those supplies. Then we will deal with Landon."

"Alright then, I'll push your order to be done in a few days then. Judging by what I've heard, this Landon man could be a danger to us all," she sighed deeply.

"Thank you," Cam said.

She nodded, then walked away.

"Come on Mira, I'm sure you're hungry and tired," Cam cooed pulling my arm to follow him.

I let him, even though I was neither hungry nor tired. He pulled me across the first roof, over to where a bridge consisting of a long, wooden plank with reinforced metal railings and metal sheets on either connecting side. Down below, I could make out the open jaws of the undead and rotting hands stretched towards us. The sight made me woozy, and I scrambled to get to the other side of the bridge.

"Good morning Cam," a few people greeted.

He smiled back, "Morning."

I followed after him to a large tent taking up most of the large, roof; which smelt like beans and toast. He pushed the flap open, to where tables and chairs were set up inside – the place was packed with people whom were buzzing around. At the back of the tent, a hole was cut in the top, where smoke rose off a metal sheet that was applied over a fire.

On the sheet, pieces of what looked like bread and beans were cooking at the hands of a few woman dressed in white. He tugged me over to one of the few empty chairs, then sat me down. I looked up at him, and he smiled.

"I'll get us breakfast," he said softly.

I nodded, and he went off towards the stove-device. Once he was gone, I looked towards the opening just as Jax walked in. Shrinking down in my seat I hoped he wouldn't see me – but I wasn't so lucky. As soon as those hazel eyes landed on me he started walking over.

Silently, he sank into the chair beside me. I was too afraid to look over at him.

"I'm sorry," he breathed after a short while.

Now I did glance at him, surprise curling inside me. He didn't look at me however, his gaze was now locked towards the wall of the tent. His eyes looked glossed over – as if he was lost in thought. I sighed quietly, wishing things weren't like this. Wishing I had been the one killed and not Cici. Yet, I knew I wasn't so lucky.

"I shouldn't have said those things, I was wrong and I wouldn't ever wish to have left you in that cabin," he continued.

My eyes rolled, "If you had, Cici would have been alive."

His hand grabbed my arm, his fingers digging into my flesh. I winced, looking at his hard set eyes. Anger laced his face and I wondered what about my words had offended him so badly.

"We don't know that and I should have thought about the truth. Cici may have died but you are alive. Somehow you lived, and I should have fucking prayed thankfully for that. I am so happy that you are alive," he said sharply.

My eyes widened, my face beginning to burn, "You don't mean that."

His own eyes narrowed, "Yes I do Erin."

"H-How do you know that name?" I gasped pulling away.

"When the shadow man first came to Wolf Coven, he had first asked if the stranger was Erin Brooks. When Alpha and Luna were confused he denied any information on that name. Then when you were with that man – Leon, he had called you Erin. I don't care about your past Erin, we all have secretes we wish to keep hidden. That doesn't stop how I feel," he said softly.

"How do you feel?" I asked, my throat felt dry.

"I lo–care about you greatly," he replied quickly.

"You do?" I could feel myself softening, and leaning towards him.

His mouth was on mine then, our lips crashing together so quickly the action was almost painful. His hand moved to the back of my head and he kissed me gently despite the quick movement. His lips were soft against mine, then he pulled away, his hand leaving the back of my head. Our breath was uneven, and I could see the tickle of pink on his cheeks.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. His eyes were wide as if he didn't realize his actions until now. We said nothing, only stared at each other like we had done something. Well, we had done something but I don't think either of us could explain the action. Other than it hadn't just been a kiss.

Jax seemed to recover quicker, "Er–Mira I–"

"Well Jax! I didn't realize you came too," we turned towards Cam who seemed oblivious to what had just happened. I noted the two plates in his hand, "You'll have to fend for yourself though. The lines getting long, but I'd eat now. Then we can discuss what we are actually going to do."

As if a pin was dropped, the mood darkened. Jax's eyes became hard, "Right."

He stood quickly, and without sparing me a look he left the tent. My fingers reached up to touch the ghost of the kiss, my heart hurt watching him walk away and I shook my head. It was the heat of the moment, I was sure he didn't mean it. The kiss didn't mean anything to him.

"Here you go," Cam said putting a plate in front of me.

I thanked him numbly, staring at the steam that arose from the beans and bread. I sighed deeply, the scene kept playing in the back of my head like a bad pop song. There was a feeling deep in my heart and it sank out to me. It was clear how fast he left that regretted, but that wasn't the problem.

The problem was, I think I liked the kiss.