“Keep going.”
“We’re not leaving you here!” Chris said forcefully.
“Go!” Cassie snapped. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, goose bumps broke out on her arms. Julian was coming. She turned, bracing herself for the attack, resting on the tips of her toes as she bounced slightly up and down. “Get him to safety,” she urged. “Please Chris, he’s the only hope we have of destroying Julian.”
Chris swore vehemently. “I’ll take him,” Dani whispered.
Cassie did not look back as more rustling ensued. Chris appeared at her side, his sapphire eyes dark as he briefly met her gaze. “Go,” she urged, not willing to lose her best friend.
“No,” he said simply.
Cassie didn’t argue further, there was no need. It would do no good. They began to back slowly down the path together, keeping an eye out for any sign of movement. She glanced over her shoulder relieved to see that Dani and Melissa had disappeared around a bend with Devon. “Run,” she whispered.
They turned and fled down the path, their feet moving swiftly over the ground as they raced forward. The hairs on her neck stood up, she could almost feel Julian breathing down her neck. His fury pushed her harder and faster than she had ever run before. Reaching out, she grabbed hold of Chris’s arm as he started to lag behind. A surge of strength, she had never known she could possess, swept through her as she dragged him along with her, refusing to lose him to the monster chasing them.
She pushed Chris in front of her, urging him faster, pushing him with her hands. They rounded another corner, Dani and Melissa came back into sight, Devon was still dragging between them. Panic spurted through her. “Go!” she screamed, her voice raw with terror and urgency.
Something brushed against the back of her neck; an involuntary cry of distress tore from her as ice filled her veins. They weren’t going to outrun him, it was impossible. He was too strong, too determined to destroy them. Turning another corner the woods suddenly gave way to a large, dark field. The bright moon bounced off the tall, wild grass that filled it.
Julian was right on top of her, playing with her as his breath brushed over her once more. She could almost feel his laughter; she could feel the enjoyment he took in tormenting her, playing with her like a cat with a mouse. Fury spurted through her; she hated to be played with. Cassie decided to meet him head on; she would not run from him anymore, she would not give him the satisfaction of tormenting her.
Cassie spun and planted her feet as she braced herself for the attack. There was nothing behind her, but cool air and dark night. But she knew that he was there, she could feel his eyes upon her, feel his glee over the moment. He would be coming for her, soon. The soft breeze tickled her hair, blowing it gently across her face. It was the only thing that moved in the still night.
“Cassie!” Chris bellowed.
The woods exploded with movement. Leaves and branches shredded from the trees, billowing outward as a blur raced toward her. Cassie’s eyes widened, she could feel the fury and hunger pounding against her. She became hollow and empty inside, her veins filled with ice as the blue eyes of death rushed at her, a merry twinkle in their cold depths.
A startled cry escaped her as arms suddenly ensnared her from behind, pulling her tight in a strong embrace. “Down,” a voice hissed in her ear.
She ducked down as Devon bent over her, using his body to shield her from the blow that swiftly followed. A grunt of pain escaped him as he was knocked forward, pushing her to her knees as he remained folded perfectly over her. Cassie shuddered, shaking with fear as she waited for the attack to come again.
Devon stood slowly, pulling her gently up with him. She clung to his hard body, savoring in the feel of him awake and alive as she struggled to catch her breath. “Where is he?” she demanded, lifting her face to study him.
Devon was scanning the dark night, his face hard and cold. His eyes narrowed ferociously as he stood protectively against her. “Gone.”
Cassie searched the area, trying to find any sign of Julian, but he did appear to be gone. Shuddering again she buried her face in Devon’s chest, trying desperately to forget all the awful events of the night, knowing that he was the only one that could keep the horror at bay. His arms wrapped tightly around her, his hand snaking up her neck as he buried it in her hair.
“It’s ok now,” he whispered reassuringly.
Cassie nodded, but she couldn’t stop the shudders that racked her. So close, they had all come so close to dying tonight. And if there was one thing she was not ready to do, it was die. Not now, not anytime soon. Now that Devon was in her life, she had every intention of staying around for as long as possible. For as long as they could be together anyway.
The thought sent fresh terror tearing through her; she buried herself tighter against him, clinging to him as she savored in his strength, warmth, and comfort. He turned his face into her hair, inhaling deeply. His grip on her tightened, his hold going swiftly from one of protection to one of desire and hunger. Despite her terror and confusion, Cassie reacted to him instantly as need for him shook her.
His hand tightened on her hair, his body trembled. She knew that she should pull away, that she was only rattling his control, but she could not move. She could not release him and step away. She needed him too much for that right now; she had nearly lost him tonight, nearly lost her own life. She could not let him go.
His mouth turned into her neck, his shaking increased as his lips brushed over her skin. Clinging tighter to him, her body became limp as he pressed butterfly kisses against her flesh. Cassie could not stop the gasp that escaped her; her hands clung tighter to his arms as her knees went completely limp. His strong arm around her waist kept her on her feet as he supported her weight.
Grass rustled as footsteps rapidly approached. Devon pulled away from her, his body tightened at the sound, tension hummed through him. His hands clenched on her, but this time it was not with desire but frustration and anger. His gaze met hers briefly, his eyes flashed between their beautiful emerald color and a volatile red.
Cassie rested her hand lightly upon his cheek, hoping to soothe the monster within him as she wiped away his dried blood. The gashes in his cheek were completely healed, the small scratches disappearing before her eyes. His healing ability was startling and amazing. With a soft sigh he dropped his forehead to hers. “Cassie,” he breathed. “My Cassie.”
“Yes,” she agreed, knowing that it was so very true. She was his, she would always be his. She was forever lost to him.