18. Evanee
Evanee
Aiden tried to lure me into conversation, but despite his efforts, tension still danced between us.
I let it.
We traveled as long as we could, well past sunset. Malachai and Dimitri still hadn’t returned. Aiden kept his sword by his side until we came upon some cliffs that dropped straight off into an abyss—the ocean.
Adrenaline thrummed through me. I straightened, straining to see the angry waves below.
I’d never seen the waters that stretch between this realm and the others—but the dark kept the drop obscured.
The ocean roared, waves slamming into the rock wall below.
The smell of the sea life beyond dredged up stories I’d overheard of monsters lurking in the depths.
“These aren’t the Cliffs. When you stop avoiding me for whatever reason, I’ll warn you when we near them.” His words were clipped.
I worked my jaw and grumbled, “It’s not for whatever reason. It’s—“
Something moved in the trees behind us, loud enough to be heard over the water. Our heads whipped toward the sound. Aiden swiftly slid off Shadow, a shadow himself, barely making any sound, and unsheathed his sword. He held a finger to his lips before turning toward the threat.
Silence.
I steadied my breathing, scanning the dark, eyes wide, seeing nothing. Aiden locked in on something. His gaze glowed in the ever-growing dark that crept around us, head moving in a predatory way.
“Walk Shadow forward,” he murmured. “Gently. Stay on the path.”
I searched his face, concern filling me.
“Aiden… please don’t go out there,” I begged.
“Worried about me?” The corner of his mouth kicked up, though his gaze stayed locked on the hidden threat. “Here. Take this. Put it in your boot.” He handed me his dagger with the sapphires on the hilt. My hands shook as I took it from him.
“I don’t know how to ride alone!” I hissed.
He smiled, eyes brightening like torches.
“Shadow will take care of you. And Luna will keep him in check. Go,” he ordered.
“Wait!” I rasped. He paused, raising a brow as he spared a glance. “What the hell do I do with this?” I waved the dagger, the jewels catching in the moonlight.
“Point the sharp end toward the enemy,” he smirked, then stalked toward the trees.
I swallowed thickly, shoving the dagger down in the shaft of my boot before I gently squeezed my heels in.
The large stallion started forward, my knuckles going white and my body rigid without the security of Aiden behind me.
I glanced back as the dark swallowed him, and a distant shriek carried on the wind. Skurs.
Acid burned my stomach. What if something happened to him?
He had no backup. I was useless—unable to wield a sword or even create a distraction.
I copied Aiden’s earlier motion with the reins and pulled them toward me.
Shadow stopped immediately. I turned again, searching, but there was no sign of him.
It was quiet, as if the darkness swallowed all sounds.
My markings tingled, and dread filled me for what would come next—I stopped.
My markings are tingling.
Escape.
This was my chance. No matter my muddled feelings toward him, it was now or never. The tingle turned into a low burn. I gritted my teeth and made a decision.
I quickly dismounted. Luna stood close, bumping against Shadow’s hindquarters with her nose.
I shushed them both, scanning both ahead and behind.
Then I peered over the short cliff side at the black water below.
Jagged rocks were scattered, an open jaw waiting for its next meal.
I drew a shaky breath at the intimidating drop as I searched for a path.
Between the cliff wall and the rocks was a tiny stretch of sand—enough for me to climb down.
I wasted no time.
After squatting to the ground, I scooted to the edge, ignoring the increasing burn in my wrists and ankles as I twisted onto my belly, and lowered myself down.
My foot scraped against rock until it hit a small, sturdy ledge.
I tested it, and when I was confident it would hold me, I put my full weight on it, shoving my fingers into the packed dirt above.
Next, the other foot, searching for another sturdy ledge, the toe of my boot scraped against rock until it finally struck something solid.
I groped blindly until my fingers caught in a small crack in the wall.
Despite the frigid cold, sweat rolled down my temple as I repeated the process over and over again, all the while fighting the urge to look down.
Don’t look down, don’t look down, don’t look down.
Icy mist sprayed over my exposed skin, the rock becoming slicker. I bit down on a cry of relief when the ground came into view.
Suddenly, the burn in my markings lit up, that familiar fire stealing my breath.
My vision blackened from the pain long enough that when I opened my eyes, I was falling the remaining feet.
Before a scream could escape, my back struck the ground.
The impact ripped the air from my lungs.
I lay there, gasping, until I was finally able to gulp in a huge breath of air.
My lungs expanded, resulting in a coughing fit that had me rolling over to all fours until I could breath again.
The burn ebbed—my pulse kicked hard in response.
Aiden was coming back.
On my hands and knees, I crawled a few paces, then stood on shaky limbs, my back screaming from the fall. Frigid waves crashed against my legs, slicing across my skin like ice shards.
Little pools of water rippled between the jagged rocks.
Sludging through the water, I quickly threw myself down in front of one—then hesitated.
Maybe I shouldn’t have done this. It wasn’t too late.
I could come up with some bullshit excuse as to how I ended up down here.
If this doesn’t work, if the water doesn’t ease the burning, I’m screwed.
It’d be over. Aiden wouldn’t let a second attempt go unpunished.
Then again, when would this chance happen again?
With fierce determination, I plunged my wrists deep into the numbing water.
A moment passed with no change. Nausea clawed up my throat as pain mixed with panic—then the burn eased.
My ankles still burned fiercely, but it was a small victory.
A smile spread regardless, a laugh escaping.
It could work. I could do this. I’d only need to keep snow and ice handy until I found a witch.
I pulled my hands out, shaking off the excess water, scanning my surroundings as the pain increased again.
The narrow beach stretched further north, devoured by darkness. I didn’t care. I’d come this far.
I ran, stumbling through loose sand, lungs burning as I pumped my arms harder and harder.
Then I saw it—a cave.
A roar erupted, sounding far off yet right on top of me. My blood raged, pulse hammering in my ears as I pushed myself faster, shucking my jacket so I could pump my arms harder.
Something snapped above me—
A shadow passed over the rocks—I was slammed face-first into the sand.
In a fluid motion, I rolled to my back and snatched the dagger from my boot, gritting through the pain, just as my attacker pinned me.
Furious eyes locked onto me—Aiden. I swallowed dryly, my gaze flicking to the dagger at his throat.
“Going somewhere?” he snarled.
I kicked and pushed, but he anchored me to the ground with his body.
“Let me go!” I growled, the guttural sound bouncing off the rocks. The waves seemed distant as my heartbeat thundered. Brackish blood was speckled over his bare chest, the foul smell mixing with his scent.
“Are you going to slice my throat, Evanee? Is that what you want?” His voice knocked down an octave, eyes flaring. Anger simmered—but something else burned beneath it. “I like a good chase.” His eyes hooded, bottom lip going between his teeth. “It’s why I held back—to give you a head start.”
Breath snagged in my throat as his weight pinned me, heat bleeding into my skin despite the cold, wet sand beneath. My gaze dragged down to that dagger, still pressed to his jugular, then slowly back to his.
“Get off me,” I said with less fervor.
He swallowed, the dagger jostling from the movement.
“I would never hurt you, Evanee. I would never let anything, or anyone hurt you.” My name was honey on his tongue.
Somehow, I knew that if I really wanted to, I could roll us. Gain the upper hand. To do what exactly? I still couldn’t kill him. Not with my markings—too risky. But I also knew I wouldn’t anyway.
“If you want to slice my throat and try your chances out here, be my guest.” He leaned into the blade, a drop of blood sliding down his throat. The dagger shook as my arm trembled, grip loosening.
“What do you want from me, Aiden?” I pleaded, my voice hoarse.
“I want you.”
Neither of us moved. Neither of us breathed as he searched my eyes.
Such a small moment—a fork in the road that’ll determine our path.
If I crossed this line, there may be no turning back.
I couldn’t let myself do this—he worked for my oppressors.
But something was different about him. Unanswered questions flickered through my mind—and melted away beneath my burning desire for him.
I let my hand fall away. The blade fell to the sand—with my restraint.
His mouth crashed against mine. The taste of him overwhelmed me as his tongue claimed me. Smoky—like a warm fire on a cold night.
My fingers tangled in his thick, dark hair as he threaded his through mine, squeezing a fistful, pulling me to him. I arched into his touch, gasping as he kneaded my breast, his grip firm. Possessive.