Saved

Chapter Six

“Come on…” Jacob’s whisper woke me up one night and I felt him picking me up.

“Jake…” I moaned rolling into his chest.

“Shhh… just sleep now.” He whispered and so I let my eyes close even though I didn’t go to sleep.

“Where was she?” Tyler ordered as soon as Jacob carried me into the house.

“They took her to Benjamin. I’ll have to wait until morning to know about the bruises. She needs to sleep.” I knew the last part was directed towards me but I still fought my sleep. I couldn’t lose him.

“Did she…?” Lexi’s voice came.

“No Ana is innocent.”

“Jacob…” Elliot started.

“I know her… or at least…”

“I think she has werewolf traits even if she doesn’t…” Lexi’s voice faded as Jacob laid me down on a bed but I clung to him and he held me close.

“I’ll stay.” He whispered.

“Thank you.” I whispered in the morning while I drank and ate, “For saving me…”

“I told you to stay away…” He begged and I realized that he was too tired to do much too.

“She’s my mom, Jake…” I whispered begging him to understand.

“I know…” he sighed lightly touching one of the many bruises on my face, “Who hit you?”

“Everybody.” I whispered painfully turning from him as memories of Daddy sending person after person to prison for hitting me and then the past weeks of Benjamin, Ilia, and Shia hitting me.

“I will never hurt you.” He promised softly.

“I need to get to school!” I exclaimed when I looked at the clock at the sound of Elliot and Lexi closing doors.

“You’re staying here and resting.” He shook his head.

“Jacob?” Elliot whispered looking in and then he smiled seeing me, “It’s nice to see you up.”

“How long did I sleep?” I asked questioningly.

“Day and a half.” Jacob explained and then turned to Elliot, “I’m staying with Ana while she rests. I’ll go to the station tonight and check in.”

“If you…”

“I need to stay here.” Jacob told me and I nodded just pushing the tray of food he’d put on the bed away and turning into him. “Take this downstairs with you.” He ordered Elliot and I looked up with stern eyes only to let it fade when I saw the worry in his as he looked down at me.

“Be nice.” I still whispered as he slid me back under the covers and into the bed.

“I’ll be back in a minute. I need something to drink.” He promised and I nodded but followed him with my eyes to yet another bar only he had it set up in his dresser.

“Are you an alcoholic?” I asked when he got back into bed and I realized what I’d been smelling on him since he’d saved me.

“No it just takes the edge off the thirst which gets worse when I stress.” He looked at me pointedly and I knew it was a request to never do that to him again.

“Well since you have your whiskey…” I started slowly.

“We don’t need to discuss the last couple weeks.” He warned.

“Why did it take so long for you to find me?” I asked side tracked.

“Ilia and Shia took turns pretending to be you and nobody would believe me that it wasn’t you. I had to look alone until I got close and Ilia lost her cool. She’s always had a bad temper.” He explained holding me closer as guilt dripped off him.

“I knew you’d save me.” I promised, “In fact after the first couple days you’re what I thought about to keep my mind off anything bad or my hunger and thirst.”

“Did they not feed you?” he asked not even smiling at my blush or sentence.

“They did but Granny Lee warned me about Benjamin my whole life. She said I was particularly susceptible because somebody I loved was his slave… I never thought she meant my mom… she taught me how when I was in an even more vulnerable state I could fast from food and water but she always reminded me that on the third day I at least needed water again.” I stopped for a second before continuing, “Shia said that Granny Lee was the one that made her leave.”

“If anybody is found to be a slave of Benjamin they are thrown out. Mystic Falls is home to him because there are no true groups of any supernatural thing so his slaves can safely dwell here.” He looked at me a long minute and then whispered, “Will you try to sleep now?”

“Can I ask you a question first?” he nodded slowly. “Is there any way to save somebody from slavery?”

“Some say witches know how but that they would never do it because slavery is the punishment for choosing Benjamin.” He whispered, “But no we can’t save your mom or Ilia.”

“You would tell me if there was a way though right?”

“I would save Shia for you if I knew of a way.”

“But not Ilia?”

“She’s not a slave to Benjamin anymore… she’s his lover.”

“Her sin was adultery.” I whispered and he nodded.

“Now I’ve answered your question so sleep.” I nodded slowly and curled up into him once again.