Chapter 1
“Sha, you’ve gotta go now,” her father ordered, running into her room.
“Dad? What’s going on?” She asked, pushing her chair out from her desk with such force that it toppled over and hit the floor with a thud, which echoed around the empty library.
“Draxen and his team will explain. Please go with him, love, they’ll keep you safe. I have already packed your bags, and there is a room at the safe house for you. Now go love!” He said and kissed her on the head as Draxen and his team entered the library.
“Sir!” He said, saluting his Commander and locking his blue eyes on Shannon.
“She’s ready, take care of my baby girl,” he told Draxen, watching as the blonde-haired soldier led her out of her familiar surroundings.
“Dad, please tell me what’s going on?” she panicked.
“All will be explained, please just go with Draxen and his team of Vipers!” He said. “They will keep you safe.” Shannon burst into tears as they walked. Draxen kept a hand on the back of her neck, gentle but firm, to stop her running back from her father. He was intimidating in his black uniform, his boots thudded against the floor loudly, and his dog tags chinked. The rest of the vipers were wearing their helmets, masks and goggles. They fell in step behind him, and she was still panicking and crying as she walked.
“You’ll be okay, princess!” He told her, his deep southern accent dripped from each and every word.
“I am not a princess!” She barked at him, attempting to turn her head toward him, but his strong grip prevented her from doing so. As they came to the exit of the building, there was a black armoured vehicle waiting for them.
“Get in,” one of his men said. Shannon knew better than to argue when receiving the orders from the Vipers. Draxen opened the back door for her, and she climbed in with tears still dribbling down her cheeks. She brushed a strand of auburn out of her face as she sat in the middle. Draxen and Tristan sat on either side of her. Three more climbed into the front.
“Please. Can one of you please tell me what’s going on?” She sobbed, she gripped Draxen’s muscular arm, but he only clenched his jaw and kept silent. He so badly wanted to tell Shannon everything, but he had promised her father that he wouldn’t tell her the reality of the situation, as it was better to keep her in the dark, even if it set her anxiety off and no matter how much she begged to be told what was going on. Draxen placed his mask, helmet and goggles on now. She looked at him with fear now.
“Shannon, please, we’re not going to hurt you! We are here to protect you,” Draxen reminded her and rested a large, black, gloved hand on her small knee. She nods, fighting off an anxiety attack. Draxen notices as her breathing speeds up.
“Drax, she’s going to pass out!” Tristan exclaimed through the earpiece.
“No, she’s not!” He replied. “Shannon,” he said gently and turned her face gently to look at him. With his other hand, he pulled his goggles up over his eyes, and she was now met with blue eyes once again. “Look at me, love, breathe in and out! 1...2....3.... In, out, in out!” he said softly and gently pulled her into his side. Shannon did her best to listen to him, but it wasn’t working. Her eyes roll back, and she passes out. “Damn it!”
Half an hour later....
They finally reach the safe house. He picks her up bridal style and carries her inside. Her head is nuzzled into his neck as her top half rests against his chest. “The rest of you guard the perimeter, I’ll keep an eye on the girl!” He said.
“Yes, sir!” They all said and rushed outside to check the perimeter. Their rifles lifted as they walked. Draxen laid her down on the bed that had already been made for her. It looked just like her room on base; it had intentionally been made this way to make her feel more at home and easier to settle in. She also had a library built in the safe house too except this one was made like a conservatory; it was warm. A few plants are scattered here and there, and books and books lined the walls. A dark purple chair with black lining, arms and legs sits in the corner next to a stained-glass lamp in the shape of a mystical umbrella. A box of candles sat near the armchair, too. Draxen and her father had thought of everything.
The blonde-haired soldier sat at her side; he had removed his headgear now and placed it down on the nightstand next to her bed. She had shifted and lay on her side now. He smiled to himself, reached a hand close to her face, gently stroking a strand of auburn behind her ear, and gently stroked his knuckles down her cheek. “You are so beautiful when you sleep,” he whispered to himself in case any of his men entered the room and heard him. “What am I saying? This can never happen between us. I am only here to protect you and nothing more.” He walked to the window, still guarding her, looking out at the garden. The land here was vast, but she was well protected now. The Vipers were here now. He glanced back at Shannon.
She shifted again and turned her back to him. She mumbled in her sleep. He swore he heard his name on her lips, “Don’t be silly,” he whispered to himself, “you’re just trying to hear what you want to hear!” He chuckled to himself, running a hand over the longer hair on top, ruffling it slightly and messing up his otherwise clean-cut look. “If your father knew, he would have my head!” He continued whispering. “Sleep well, Angel,” he said and gently kissed her forehead before walking on the other side of the door and proceeded to guard her.
