The Huntress' Name (sequel to The Huntress)

Chapter 11-Call Me ______

The previous day's training hadn't been all that bad. It had been tiring, but then again, a day packed as full as what I'd had would have been. I was about to go through the assessment though. I knew what was coming and I was prepared.

I dressed in my usual hunting attire, black jeans, white tank, black boots, and I threw on the leather jacket. I knew I wasn't going to want to wear the jacket while I was fighting, but it was slightly chilly out.

"Are you ready to take me in?" I asked, turning around to James.

"I'd much rather keep you here. You look rather enticing like that." His eyes darkened and the way that he looked at me sent a chill down my spine. That look that had once shot fear through me and made me want to flee, now looked sexy as hell.

"I don't think The Torch would like that very much. I'm sure they have a policy about tardiness and no-shows."

"Hm well maybe I don't care what they have to think."

He still hadn't been sold on the whole plan. Even after everything worked out perfectly to get me in, even after I changed my look and after I discovered that they were nothing like The Organization from back home, he still wasn't crazy about it. He respected me and my decision and I respected his view. We didn't see eye to eye, but for now it was how things were. I was happy to be working, and to actually be working with a group that tried to do something positive. They weren't just saving people from the evil creatures out there, but they were giving them a chance to be decent members of society, something I was learning to do myself.

As much as I initially started the plan to gain weapons and security, I now needed this group. I was also less willing to leave after I found out that a family member was a part of it. I hadn't yet told James about that though.

He stood up and walked toward me, that same look in his eye. I backed up slightly but bumped into the desk. James leaned in toward me and his hands came to rest on the desk beside me.

My breath caught for a moment before I pulled him closer. Fire burned hot through me and my hands found their way to his hair. Everything about him took my breath away, it reassured me that I'd made the right decision in choosing him and in running away together.

"James," I whispered.

"Can you do one thing for me?" He asked just as low. He pulled back slightly and his eyes were level with mine, staring at me intently. Looking into his eyes there was nothing I wouldn't do for him.

"Anything."

As soon as the word was out though, I was sure I was going to regret agreeing before I even knew what it was.

"Please call me Jared."

My hands slid from his hair to his chest, resting there lightly and I looked down to them. I could feel his heart pounding under my palm. It was like I could feel everything it took inside him to say it. I sighed and slowly looked back up.

"Just in here, where it matters," he pleaded.

"I just don't know if I can do that, Ja-" I cut myself off.

"I'll continue to call you Eliza if that's what you truly want, but I want what I have with you to be real. I don't want to have to hide myself behind a mask, a false name. I've hidden myself for far too long from someone who was close to me."

"You're not hiding from me, that's ridiculous. I know who you are and my feelings for you haven't changed just because of the name you go by."

"It means something to me though."

I could feel the anguish in his words, I could feel it in the way he held himself. I was aware a time would come when I may regret this, but I'd said I would do anything for him, and I meant it. This was something that he wanted and I would do it for him.