Chapter Five

He raised the knife into the air, where it glimmered ominously, shining silver and black in the failing light. 

"Any last words brother?" He snarled. 

I would never let him have Bella. I called upon my memory for anything that might help me.

Suddenly I remembered an afternoon, long ago.

Jadyn was sitting quietly in the living space of our home completing a puzzle. He was rather brilliant at them. He was almost done when I walked in and tripped on the leg of the table.  I crashed to the floor bringing the table and Jadyn's puzzle with me.

At first, he looked shocked, but then his expression twisted. He yelled at me, which was so rare for him that it took me by surprise, and I began to yell back. 

Our yelling brought Bella down the stairs. She began to cry because she hated fighting, especially when we, her older brothers, fought. Sobbing she fled back upstairs. 

Jayden gave me one last glare before he went after her. I heard him from downstairs, apologizing and promising not to fight again. 

The key was the puzzle. If Jadyn loved anything, it was a puzzle. A challenge.

With this in mind, I found words. "You won't do this," I said slowly, looking him in the eye. 

His determination seemed to lessen, "Why won't I, Preston?" 

"This is too easy for you, we both know you love a good challenge," I replied, trying to pour some taunting into my voice, "You followed us here and ambushed me. No challenge there."

  He raised his eyebrows.

"How could you ever pose a challenge to me?" He asked. "You aren't nearly as strong as me." He tilted his head, studying me. He looked more like a curious puppy than a murderer. I noticed his eye had dimmed.

"Yet you chose to sneak up on us," I replied.

He started to shake slightly.

I continued, "If I lose, then you have proved yourself against me." 

He laughed. "Haven't I already?" 

I shook my head and faked a mocking smile, "True warriors don't sneak up on their prey, they fight with skill. Are you afraid you might lose?"

His expression hardened.

"No of course not, Preston," He spat. "But what are the stakes?" He was suspicious of my willingness. I needed to be frank now.

"You win, my life. I win, Bella is mine," I said. 

He snorted. "I'm not doing that! Bella's mine."

I smiled at him, straightening so we stood at the same height. I looked my brother square in the eyes.

"I think you're afraid still, and that's why you use stealth," my voice rose. "You're afraid that nothing's changed, that I'm still better, and you're still weak little Jadyn."

His eye lit up.

"Enough!" He yelled, flinging me back across the house. I hit the wall hard but had no time to recover. He came forward with impossible speed, his hands grasping the front of my jacket, hoisting me up against the wall and pinning me there. 

"If you think you could still beat me then you are delusional." He pushed me harder against the wall, "Look around you, Preston. I have the girl, the castle, and the title. The sum of your achievements is an abandoned house." 

I struggled in his grip to breathe.

"I accept your offer. Come and take her from me, try your hardest, spare nothing! But be ready to lose; this time no one will save you! Be prepared to die!" He released me and I fell to the floor gasping.

I watched weakly as he picked up Bella. He cradled her head against his chest carefully. 

"I will keep Bella, you will have to find me." He smiled wickedly, "Come with any weapons. Bring companions, but know I will show them no mercy." He motioned to his knife, "I will strike down anyone who stands between me and Bella."

I slowly got myself off the floor, but he was already leaving with her.

He turned back, dead serious, "I await you, brother. Bring me a good challenge."