Dawn College

"You really think they're going to let you go after they went through the trouble they did keeping you here?"

"I am nothing if determined." Jace bristled as Sampson suddenly walked closer to them, within a handful of feet, hands behind his back.

"No point in even attempting it,"

"I'm really sorry Raine," Sampson told her respectfully, "But I just want to see his reaction." He suddenly whipped up an arm and backhanded her across the face, not quite as hard as he could, but still fairly hard.

Jace immediately jerked her behind him, let go of her hand and threw a wild punch at Sampson's jaw, who didn't duck in time. Straight after, Jace drove a knee into his stomach and, when the other doubled over, slammed an elbow between the other's shoulderblades, before wrapping an arm around Sampson's neck and forcing his body to turn around, so Sampson's back was to his chest. Jace lifted his free hand to the side of Sampson's head, clearly braced to snap his neck with a sharp twist.

Raine made a quiet noise mixed with a gasp as she was hit, stumbling back with the force, almost falling over. She lifted her hand to feel her jaw and used the back of it to wipe the blood coming from the corner of her mouth.

Jace abruptly tightened his arm and then jerked it to the side with his grip on Sampson's neck, at the same time he pushed force with his other hand, dropping Sampson's body when the crack sounded. Before Sampson had even hit the ground he was back by Raine, hand lifting hesitantly towards her face, fingertips hovering over her jaw as if he were afraid to touch.

"I'm fine, it's fine," she whispered "Nothings broken."

"Do you need me to take the pain away?" He cradled the injured side of her face gently, worry on his face. "This is my fault, I'm sorry I...they told me they were part of the opposing company, that they wanted to discuss terms so nobody else would get hurt and then this ended up happening and...I didn't want you dragged in..."

"No, no, I'm fine, don't worry about me."

"I-I thought he would hit me, not you...What if he'd chosen to actually hurt you or...or..." despite her words, he channelled healing against her cheek, just to prevent it bruising or swelling later on. "I can't help but worry about you, though...I drag you into these awful situations." He hesitated at something, eyes dropping to the floor.

"I chose to come here Jace, I knew what I was getting myself into."

"You wouldn't have been asked into a situation like this if it wasn't for me. T-That woman that came to tell you about the family meeting...she said that despite being given blessings from your mother, we probably wouldn't be allowed to get married and..." Jace hesitated, distress crossing his face. "Do you think that's best?"

"N-No!" Abel suddenly called from the doorway, looking almost frightened but trying not to shake. "S-She's your C-Chosen so y-you get t-to stay with h-her no matter w-what anyone says." He cringed under the look that Jace gave him.

"Jace, half the stuff I do, I'm not allowed to, doesn't stop me doing them." Raine assured, "No, I don't think it's for the best, at all."

"You would go against your mother's wishes for something as serious as this?" Jace kept his hand cupped against her cheek, twitching a little as he used his thumb to rub some blood from the corner of her mouth, his other hand moving to take hold of one of hers.

"Yes," Raine nodded, "For you I would."

"What if it takes you away from your family, I don't want to hurt you by wanting you..." Jace's hand on hers tightened, and he leaned close to press his forehead to hers.

"If they don't like it then it's their problem, not mine."

"You would give up your family to be with me or...?" His eyes darted to the side at movement, but it was just Abel helping Noah stand. Sampson was still on the floor, neck at a crooked angle.

"If they can't accept me being with you, then yes."

"Don't give them up if you don't want to." Jace absently gave her a kiss, hand on her cheek sliding around to rest on the back of her neck.

Raine kissed him back gently, closing her eyes for a brief second.

Jace pulled back after a moment, keeping his forehead pressed to hers, letting his thumb brush up and down the side of her neck where it was resting. He flinched at a sudden flash from the side, jerking his head to the side just to see Goliath hurriedly try to hide his phone behind his back, smiling sheepishly.

Raine raised an eyebrow in question at Goliath, looking a little confused.

"I'm sorry," Goliath gushed. "You're just too cute. I didn't think I'd ever see Jace and his Chosen together."

Jace relaxed a little, though he was still wary of him, hand sliding away from Raine's so he could slip an arm around her waist, tugging her closer.

Goliath smiled brightly at the movement before asking, "Can you kiss again?" and almost fell over when Abel promptly approached and kicked the space in the back of his knees.

"And you're a little creepy." Raine replied quietly as she shifted closer to Jace.