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♡ chapter 14 - Rose ♡

            The stiffness that overtook Harry’s body was visible as the words left my lips, what I thought would be a simple question. He seemed unfazed by our close proximity, not even looking the nearest afraid of getting burned. Instead he seemed punctured by the mere sentence I pondered aloud, his eyes darkening just the slightest as he gazed ahead of him. I almost feared I had pissed him off.

            I watched closely, regretting the words as soon as I saw his features fall, eyes now softening. His jaw clenched as he sucked his lower lip between his teeth, chewing feverishly as if nervous to speak any further. But I was patient, waiting for him to muster the courage to continue. I was more than relieved that he was finally opening up to me after weeks of people shut away. Maybe this odd relationship we have could possibly go a little further, although I highly doubt it. But a girl can dream, right?

            After what felt like an eternity, Harry sucked in a sharp breath, giving me a small smile as he met my gaze. “She was a very powerful woman, Rosalie. Strong, down to earth, not even one weakness in sight. That necklace…” He paused, shaking his head some as he leaned forwards, pulling his knees up and resting his elbows on them as he held his head in his hands. “That necklace holds all of her power. Before she died, she wanted it stored away safely. Marcus can’t get the magic because of his evil bloodline, and I can’t get it either. But I promised her I’d keep it tucked away from the rest of the world… even Jessie.

            “And I failed to do that.” Harry pinched his bottom lip between his forefinger and thumb, his eyebrows knitting together. “I tried to keep it from him but he took it away, Rose. That’s why I’m so desperate to find him. Not only did he kill my mum, but he took the one thing from me she promised I’d always have. That was the only bit of her I had left, and now it’s fucking gone.”

            Suddenly he shot to his feet, heaving both hands through his hair furiously as he glared down at me, but I knew (more like hoped) his anger was not directed towards me. So I let him rant, giving him the opportunity to vent all of the things he’s bottled up for so long.

            “I promised her I’d keep that fucking necklace away from that bastard, Rose. And he fucking took it. He snatched it right out of my hands and if he… if he gets the right person he can steal it. He can steal every bit of magic my mum kept from him for so long. Do you know what will happen then, Rose? Do you?”

            I swallowed, watching as he knelt down to where our faces were a mere inches apart. His eyes were enraged, the vein in his neck bulging.

            “He’s going to destroy this world more than it already is, Rose. That’s what’s going to happen,” he snapped before plopping back down into the grass beside me.

            Silence engulfed us, the tension in the air that radiated from Harry’s irate state slowly fading away as we continued to sit there. His words tauntingly revolved in my mind, making a mess out of my already disoriented thoughts. It’s funny how weeks ago I was cooped up in a basement getting the shit beat out of me, and now here I am sitting with a killer and facing a psychopathic killer. Life has a hysterical way, doesn’t it?

            Hesitantly, I glanced over at Harry, his hard features still evident as he nibbled on his bottom lip, avoiding eye contact. A small sigh, nearly inaudible, left my lips as I fought the urge to place my hand on his. “Are you better now?” I asked quietly, knowing it must’ve been a relief to get that off of his chest.

            To my surprise, Harry chuckled as a smile stretched over his plump lips, his emeralds now sparkling as he turned to meet my gaze. “Most people would’ve ran away screaming after seeing me that frustrated, and here you are asking me if I feel better?” Harry rose an eyebrow, his smile growing as he shook his head in disbelief. “You truly are something else, Rose. And I gotta admit… I really like that about you.”

            My heart faltered after doing a few backflips, my own grin etching onto my face as I held his mesmerizing stare. I giggled, mimicking him as I shook my head. “You know, for an asshole, you’re pretty sweet.”

            Both of Harry’s eyebrows shot up. “Sweet? I’m sorry, Rosalie, but I’ve never heard that term before. Elaborate, would you?”

            “Face it. You’re not half bad, Styles.”

            He stared at me a long while before a smile spread across his face once more, a small laugh leaving his lips as he broke our gaze. Before he could respond, Ryan jogged over to us with a knowing smirk plastered on his lips.

            “So… how does steak sound for dinner?”

***

            The sound of forks and knifes clashing together filled the air, along with light small talk from each of us. I was pressed between Jessie and Liam at the table, Harry sitting across from me. He decided to be childish, playing footsies with me considering our shoes were the only thing keeping me from burning him. It was nice to be back in fourth grade playing footsies with him from across the table, and I couldn’t help but to laugh every time he leaned down to kick me. Not to mention that beautiful smile that stayed on his lips.

            Somewhere in between our childish antics, I felt a warm hand glide over my thigh. Jumping just the slightest, I angled my face to see Jessie giving me a genuine smile as his hand cupped my knee. I dared to look back at Harry out the corner of my eye, only to find his harsh emerald glare pinned to Jessie’s face.

            Jessie seemed oblivious.

            My mind was screaming to push Jessie’s hand off, but my body seemed frozen under his touch. I tried to be silent as I chewed my food absentmindedly, doing my best to keep my eyes on my plate. I could see Harry’s blazing glare out the corner of my eyes and Jessie’s smile as he spoke with John; the tension was very clear.

            Ever so slowly, Jessie’s hand crept up my thigh as my breath hitched in my throat. I hadn’t meant to gasp, but he was very close to an area I wanted him nowhere near. That small sound leaving my lips was the only reassurance Harry needed as he shot up from his seat, about to confront his brother in front of everyone before something breaking ranged through my ears.

            Glass.

            Jessie’s hand left my thigh as each boy stood, Harry’s eyebrows furrowed mixed with anger and confusion as he glanced over at me. Considering I was the only female and I was practically defenseless, I shrank down into my seat.

            Shouting.

            The familiar war chants were audible and gradually growing closer. Before I could realize it, an arrow flew into the dining room and just barely missed Zayn’s head as he dodged it, turning to see it smack right into the wall and stay there. Harry’s eyes widened as he practically leapt over the table to me.

            “We need to get out of here,” he said loud enough for everyone to hear.

            “How the fuck did they find us?” Louis muttered as he snatched up his sword from the placement by his feet, each boy doing the same.

            “Hey, I don’t have any defense weapon!” I cried as I looked to Harry worriedly, but he merely rolled his eyes.

            “I’m your defense weapon, Rosalie. Stay close to me, all right?”

            All I could do was nod as I followed each of them out of the dining room and into the living room, more arrows flying. Shadowed figures were barely coming into view as they gained proximity with the cabin, looking utterly determined.

            “We need to go!” Niall shouted this time, grabbing as much as he could; weapons, food, and… more food.

            “There’s no time for that, Niall!” Harry hissed as he grabbed the blonde’s arm, tugging him out the backdoor and glancing to me to make sure I was following.

            “Fucking shit,” John breathed from beside me, eyes going wide.

            I followed his gaze, my own eyes bulging at the sight of more and more people heading our way. Harry backed up, his arms outstretched as he tried to protect me, eyes snapping in every direction to secure to premises. Each boy backed up, following Harry’s motions until I was trapped in the middle of their formed circle.

            “Don’t talk,” Harry whispered to me over his shoulder, “just stay behind me.”

            My tongue fumbled for words, so I said none as I gave a weak nod, unsure of what else to do. Before I knew it, I could hear footsteps pounding before stopping, each body closer to us. I could hear their murmured voices, the sounds of their snickers, and it petrified me to no end. Here I am, in the middle of a human circle of boys that are trying to protect a girl Harry found helpless in the woods.

            I don’t even know what’s real anymore.

            Everyone silenced as hard footsteps were heard, my head secretly peeking around from Harry’s side as I tried to catch a glimpse of what was going on. The boys kept their formation as a tall figure came into view, familiar brown hair matting his head as striking green eyes lit up the darkness around him. I placed a hand over my mouth to stop the gasp leaving my lips, the man looking so damn similar to Harry and Jessie, it was terrifying.

            Harry’s body tensed, his shoulders raising defensively at the view of who I assumed was his father. Just barely I could make out Harry’s clenched jaw and defined features, nothing but hatred filling his eyes.        

            His disgust towards this man was all the evidence I needed to conclude that this elder version of Harry was none other than Marcus himself.

            Stupidly enough, a chuckle left Marcus’ lips as he glanced up at Harry. “Ah, it’s been a while hasn’t it, son?”

            Harry didn’t reply.

            Marcus then looked to Jessie, his smirk widening. “I’ll be damned. You two have been under the same roof for a couple of weeks and haven’t slaughtered each other?”

            Neither of them moved.

            As if their silence infuriated him, Marcus’ eyes darkened to a shade nearing black. He narrowed them, eyebrows pinching together as he took another step dangerously closer. “All right, enough with the shit. Give me the girl, and I’ll be out of here as quick as I came.”

            Harry snorted. “You aren’t getting shit except maybe a punch in the face, so get the fuck out of here.”

            Marcus’ eyes nearly turned into slants. “Harry, this isn’t a game where you get your way. Give. Me. The. Damn. Girl.”

            “Go fuck yourself with a chainsaw.”

            The action seemed to happen so quickly, I hardly caught glimpse of it. Next thing I knew, Harry was shoving me backwards away from it all, ignoring the obvious red glistening his hands. The gruesome scene scattered before me, each boy taking on at least two of Marcus’ soldiers. Whether they could even be considered as soldiers, I had no clue, but that was their entitlement for now as they recklessly, yet quite skillfully defended their leader. Harry was the only one eligible for slinging fire balls and invisible force fields and other cool shit I wish I could do, so it was mainly swords and arrows flying through the darkening air, the sun beginning to set.

            Finally smacking some sense into myself, I scooted back on my butt as my eyes darted around the ground for the sword I was previously training with. I will admit that I’m not full of finesse like everyone else, but it’s a weapon and no matter what Harry says, he can’t protect me from everything. He may try, but he won’t always succeed.

            Right when I began crawling towards the shiny metal, sticking my hand out to grasp the handle, it was kicked from view. Instinctively I jumped back, flat on my butt again as I quickly looked up to see Marcus smirking down at me, twirling his own sword between his fingers tauntingly. A low chuckle fled his lips as he stepped closer to me. My heart picked up pace as I scooted back as quickly as I could, meeting the side of the cabin as my breath hitched in my throat. He went to kneel down in front of me, but was soon shoved out of view.

            Harry had tackled him to the ground.

            I watched helplessly as he struggled to pin his father’s arms down, Marcus flipping them over to where Harry was beneath him. His forearm pressed into Harry’s throat, the anger filling Harry’s emeralds far too evident for him to give up just yet. Within seconds, Harry had taken over once more, gripping his father’s throat tightly in his large hand.

            “Don’t ever fucking touch her,” he hissed lowly, his eyes glaring over every inch of Marcus’ pale face.

            Even when he was being choked, Marcus managed a sneer. “A bit protective, are we? Well, let me remind you something, son.” Marcus brought his knee up in Harry’s stomach, causing his grip to falter as Marcus flipped them over once more, his forearm once again meeting Harry’s throat. He leant down to Harry’s face, teeth gritted as he snarled, “You should only look after yourself. Caring for people makes you weak.”

            Noticing the way Harry was struggling for breath, I instantly panicked and fumbled around for the sword blindly in the dirt. Glancing quickly back over at Harry, his eyes were beginning to flutter as Marcus smirked victoriously, pushing his arm further into his throat to block Harry’s breath even more.

            “Come on, come on,” I said frantically, growing frustration as I lifted my hands angrily at myself. “Ugh!”

            Right when I slammed my palms on the ground, the most sickening sound crackled through my ears as the earth rumbled beneath me. An invisible force radiated from my body, sending Marcus flying off of Harry within seconds. My eyes widened as I realized this abnormal power had come from me.

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A/N: Omg, sorry for the late update guys. There's been a hell of a lot going on in my family (I won't get into details, but it involves jail, an asylum, an aunt, and an uncle). But omg, Rose finally found her power! How do you think everyone will react, hmm? Love you all (: xx

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