The Haven High Book Series (Wattys2017)

Chapter 11

Theo James as Gideon Bleylock Head of New Recruits Council Guard.

Travis and Kyle were both exhausted on the bus ride home, but they were comfortable enough to close their eyes since Ryan was accompanying them. He could watch their back while they slept and warn them before their stop too. So yeah it felt good to get some zzzs. Neither of them had slept well the night before.

When they all got off the bus at the closest stop to their townhouse Ryan came with them. He'd see them to the door and jump back on the bus to go to his house in Pacific Heights. He lived in a much more affluent neighborhood then they did. They'd never been to his house, but they knew the neighborhood well. Everyone knows Pacific Heights is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the US.

He wasn't surprised they could afford to live there; apparently his mother's an ancient Jinni that has been alive since well before the Adamites. He had no clue who they were, but they sounded old. He would guess if you've been alive for that long, you could save a little dough.

They walked silently through Trav's modest neighborhood filled with brownstones, duplexes and townhouses. It was a quiet night not very many people on the street. A few cyclists passed them as they walked and a few cars but not much else. It made it pretty easy for them to listen for distant footfalls or telltale signs of being followed, but they heard nothing. Either they were alone or someone was being more careful tonight.

Even so he would watch out for his parents until Lauren could come over and put up the wards. Kyle and he would split the night up just like last night, but he had to admit he was dead on his feet. He was worn to a frazzle from the grueling physical punishment his body was going through and his lack of sleep.

He had to go to the shelter tomorrow night too but he'd have Friday night to catch up on some zzzzs, or as his parents liked to say: pay back the sleep bank. He sounded like an old dude. Like getting to bed at nine or ten was something to celebrate. Hashtag life goals.

It was hard to believe it was just one week ago that he was looking forward to heading to the club. What a difference a week could make. He had so many reasons to despise Liam. Number one on his hit list: his crew was being robbed of their glory years. The carefree years before they'd have to take on responsibilities: full time jobs, family, debt and mortgages – that sort of thing, never mind conscription.

It wasn't like they could really be kids in their world anyway, but still life right now was sucking balls. In their world as soon as you hit puberty and develop your powers your childhood is done . . . over . . . finito. And that's one hell of an argument for being a late bloomer.

When they got to the house the outside light was on which meant their -- early to bed early to rise -- foster parents were already in bed. He and Kyle quickly thanked Ryan for his time and went inside to make sure everything was copacetic. Once in the door they gave each other a nod before heading their separate ways to make sure everything was locked up tight.