Holding the drink carrier steady on the seat next to me, I navigated the morning traffic carefully to avoid spilling. I merged into the lane, avoiding the other vehicles full of people rushing off to work. A man dressed in a suit swerved into my lane while he yelled at his rear view mirror. The drinks shook in the carrier, but didn't spill.

Asshole, you can’t wait until you get to the office?

I was glad that wasn’t my life. I enjoyed freedom from the rat race too much to become a cog in the ever-turning corporate wheel. Joining The Guard afforded me opportunities to travel the world and experience things those people zooming past me on the highway could never imagine. It was a lifelong commitment, sure, but one I happily accepted, even if it came with impossible hours and a dash of danger.

Steam escaped the plastic lids, perfuming the interior of my car. The aroma of coffee replaced the new car smell and made it smell like a cafe. Too bad there was only a local shop nearby, and not a Starucks. I looked at the steaming cups and hoped I picked something Jade would like. I wasn’t sure, so I got a variety: white chocolate macchiato, chai tea, frozen mocha frappuccino, and a plain black coffee. She’s bound to like one of these, right? I didn’t look to see if she had a coffee maker on her counter last night when I was watching her masturbate, or later when we were scuffling, but I knew she would need some caffeine today. I sure the hell did.

When I walked up to her apartment, I noticed things previously hidden by last night’s darkness. The area itself wasn’t bad. It definitely wasn’t the worst complex I’ve seen. It was a mid-ranged affair that catered to college students and young adults. The swimming pool was situated in the middle and seemed to be the main view with all the apartments facing it. Large bushes close to the windows gave me reason to worry. They made a perfect place for someone to hide and assault an unsuspecting victim. I would need to address this with Jade and the landscaping crew if we decided to stay here.

Tobin thought we could get the Eleusinian Stones and get out, leaving Jade free to live her life. But if we were assigned to her, we would be responsible for her safety and the safety of any artifacts she may acquire. When that happens, and I say when because I really want it to, this apartment complex would not be approved accommodations. We would have to move her to one of the Searcher estates provided by and protected by The Guard. That’s something else we’d need to talk to Jade about. I hoped she was adventurous like her father. She’s going to need an adventurous spirit to roll with the flow.

Balancing the drink carrier in one hand, I reached out and pressed the doorbell. Hmm, first floor access is easy to smash and grab if someone is so inclined. Definitely not a good choice for a young, attractive woman, living alone like Jade. If things worked out like Tobin thinks, at the least we should talk her into getting a dog. A big mean dog to scare away any would-be thieves hoping to surprise someone in the dark, like we did. Man is she gorgeous when she’s pissed. Her fighting skills were pretty good too. My shin still hurt where she kicked me. I fought the urge to bend down and rub the tender bone.

There was no response to the doorbell. I pounded on the door. Deep from inside, I heard her muffled voice.

“Coming.” Seconds later, the door was yanked open. “What do you want?” She growled and glared at me in nothing but an oversized t-shirt.

“Morning, Jade.” I greeted her with a big smile. “I brought coffee, chai tea, frappuccino, and white chocolate macchiato.” I raised the drink carrier up and said “Ladies choice.”

Jade squinted her eyes at the drink carrier, then turned towards the living room with a huff, leaving the door wide open. I navigated through the doorway, kicking it closed behind me, and followed her into the living room. She looked at me wearily before turning down the hallway towards her bedroom.

“Frappuccino.” She tossed the word over her shoulder before closing her bedroom door.

I helped myself to the white chocolate macchiato, and relaxed on the couch with a smile. “Mmmm.” I savored the first delicious sip of warm chocolate coffee. I would have given it to her, if she’d asked for it. I’m glad she didn’t though, it's my favorite. Looking over the rim of the coffee cup, I took in the surroundings while I waited for Jade.

The living room was sparsely furnished with well worn necessities. The deep grey couch I was sprawled across had annoying green throw pillows strewn all over it. Why do girls always have so many of those damn things? The microfiber fabric was clean and comfortable, but hardly high end. The coffee table looked old and rickety. Obviously she didn’t spend a lot of money on it. I continued looking around the room, surprised that all her belongings looked dated and worn. She could throw a party, smash everything, and be out maybe... fifty bucks. Didn’t she know her father was the highest paid, most sought after searcher in The Guard? She deserved to live better than this, have better than this.

After talking to Jade last night, it was evident Alexander shielded her from knowing anything about The Guard. Was he waiting to tell her? The ability to be a searcher was hereditary, and if Jade showed the promise of being half as good as her father, The Guard would definitely want her. Maybe that was something Alexander was trying to prevent. I leaned back into the cushions, raised the cup to my lips, and took a long drink. Mmmmm, the coffee shop around the corner isn’t half bad. Staying here might not be so bad either.

Just as I was standing up to find a trash can, Jade walked in dressed in a light grey t-shirt, distressed blue jeans, and green converse.

“Where’s the asshole?” She asked, looking around before reaching for her frappuccino.

“He’s got something to do today. It’s just you and me.” She has Tobin pegged. He could be a bullheaded prick when he wanted to be. I just didn’t understand why he was so pissed off at her.

“Where’s your garbage can?” I was already walking into the kitchen when I asked. The sooner we get going the better. I wanted to get to the thrift store and back with the necklace before anyone else could find it. That surge of energy Jade released yesterday must have signaled every supernatural within a hundred mile radius.

Jade followed me into the kitchen. “Here.” she said. Her hand brushed mine when she took the cup and deposited it into the trash can by the stove. “Thanks for bringing coffee.” She looked up at me with big green eyes. “I’m not really a morning person.”

“No prob.” I said, stepping towards the front door. “You ready to go?”

She skipped off towards the dining room. “Just let me grab my purse.”

I shook my head and laughed at her actually skipping out of the room. This girl is going to be something else. Outside her apartment, I stood off to the side, quietly shielding her back while she locked the door. I scanned the area out of habit when we walked to the parking lot. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. “How long have you lived here?”

“Oh, a couple years.” She said as we approached my car. “It’s really not that bad when the college kids are gone.”

I unlocked the car with the key fob and held her door open. “Your chariot, madam.” I bowed dramatically at the waist, flourishing my arms. Jade laughed as she settled into the passenger seat. She sounded so free, so happy. I liked the sound of her laughter and vowed to make her laugh more often. Her eyes twinkled with amusement through the window when I shut the door. Damn, She’s beautiful. Suddenly, my lungs ached for oxygen, and I remembered to breathe again.