Off With His Head

15. One point to Peyton

I wipe the sweat off my forehead, my grin faltering immediately at the sight of him. "Thanks."

"After only one full day of training, that was very well done."

"I guess sometimes being stubborn has its perks," I mutter.

Emotionless, Peyton, remember? Don't let them know they got to you.

"The two of you continue." He limps towards a chair in the corner and settles himself into it. "I will observe from here."

¤

By the end of the week, I am exhausted and covered in bruises. I feel like my limbs are about to fall off and honestly, I feel quite terrified.

But I have also improved, even if it is only slightly.

I've been avoiding everyone since my first dinner, preferring to eat alone in my room. I've only seen Caleb during training and ignored him when he knocks on my door. If he is confused by my lack of contact with him, he doesn't show it. I've only seen Zach a handful of times as he has been so busy with Lideri, chasing down some lead in town; the vampire I am supposed to kill tomorrow.

On Friday night as I'm getting ready for bed, there's a knock on my door, and I know it's Caleb even before he announces himself. "Jennings, please open up, I want to talk to you."

I ignore him and carry on brushing my hair. I know my behaviour is childish, but with the jumble of emotions I'm feeling at the moment, I give myself a free pass. There is a very high possibility that I may die tomorrow and right now that's all I can focus my energy on. Not a certain green-eyed Hunter who's just a little too cute for me to handle.

"It's about tomorrow."

Well, that gets my attention. My head snaps towards the door and I weigh up my options. It could be a trick, but it could also be important and with my fight with a vampire fast approaching, I could use all the information I can get. Sighing heavily, I get up and unlock the door, stepping back and allowing him to enter. He slips in quietly and closes it behind him, turning the key in the lock.

"What are you doing, Calloway?"

"I need to talk to you," he insists. "I know you've been ignoring me and I know why."

"I'm not ignoring you. I'm preparing myself for the big showdown I will have to go through tomorrow night. I only had one week to prepare, whereas the rest of you have had years. Pardon me for wanting to focus."

"Focus, yeah right," he scoffs, eyeing me suspiciously. "More like avoidance."

"Get over yourself, Caleb." I turn back towards the door, prepared to show him the way out and slam it in his face. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm busy."

He crosses the room in three strides and pins me against the door, his arms on either side of my head. "No, you're not."

His face is so close that his breath tickles my cheek. My heart leaps to my throat and a herd of tap dancing hippos make their way through my stomach. I can count the small freckles that dust his nose, ones I hadn't noticed before.

This is not good. Not good at all.

So why can't I will myself to push him away?

"Jennings." His voice is just above a whisper as his eyes drop from mine to glance at my lips. His hand moves to cup my cheek, tracing soft patterns with his thumb against my skin. Before I can convince myself to get away from him, he leans down and kisses me. Again.

For a moment, I lose myself in the warmth that his kiss brings. I forget about my sore limbs and the fact that I have to face off with a vampire tomorrow. I forget about the fact that I should definitely not be doing this and the fact that I barely know the guy that's kissing me. My fingers tangle in his hair as he places his hands on my hips and pulls me closer. He lets out a soft moan against my lips and presses me harder against the door.