Chapter Twelve
Atticus crept through the woods, listening for even the smallest crunch of a branch. He’d heard Thrax in the distance before pushing Celine deeper into the cave, but that was still far off. That didn’t mean he couldn’t come sooner than later, and so it was good to play it cautious.
If Atticus had any other option, he wouldn’t even be outside the cave. The harsh reality was that he might be able to ignore hunger for a while, but he doubted Celine could. The spring provided plenty in the way of drinking water, but it wasn’t exactly like there was a refrigerator stocked with meat.
He’d taken the time to move the wood from the front of the cave and set up a new firepit for cooking, but it would be pointless without something to cook.
The rabbit had been a good find, and it’d helped keep her from really feeling hunger pains. Atticus had been lucky the previous night even to find the rabbit. It was unlikely he would be near so lucky today, so he would need to travel farther from the cave than he would like.
He didn’t like the idea of leaving Celine alone, but at least there, surrounded by the sulfur, she would be safe from Thrax. If it came down to it, Atticus could even lead the Glycon away from the cave. It didn’t matter if it cost him his life, he needed to make sure that she was safe.
First, though, he needed to make sure she didn’t starve. He let out a low growl. Nothing. The animals in the forest had been spooked, likely by the unnatural presence that stalked their land.
With nothing on land to hunt, he would have to go to the water. The small stream that flowed through the cave branched deeper into the woods. He leaned over to drink some of the water, glad they at least had access to that in the cave.
Something darted through the water. He nodded to himself. It was only a few fish, but at least it was something. It’s not like he planned to live in the cave for weeks. He just needed some small meals to tide them over.
Atticus picked a nearby branch off a tree and fashioned it into a small spear with the help of rock. Not exactly the cutting-edge in tactical gear, but serviceable enough.
He inspected the spear and then nodded to himself, satisfied. There were many things about his current life he couldn’t control, but surviving in the forest played to his skills. For a brief moment, he didn’t worry about Glycons and instead reveled in the pride of a man who was about to bring food to his woman.
Like he’d done it a million times, he launched the spear into the water. His lightning-fast reflexes made it easy to catch the fish. He pushed the skewered fish farther down the spear as it flapped its tail, trying to get away.
Atticus launched the spear again at another passing fish. Then another. He repeated the task until he had enough fish on the stick for a decent meal.
He glanced up at the sky through the trees. The light from the dawn was growing into that of full day. He’d need to hide away for the day and hope that the large Glycon moved on.
Thrax seemed obsessed enough to keep following, but how long could that last? The Glycon said Agatha wasn’t his master, but the showdown at the old mill proved she had at least some hold over him. Atticus doubted she would tolerate him spending too much time rushing through the woods after Celine.
One other thought boosted the hybrid’s confidence. He’d only heard one screech earlier. Thrax might be the only Glycon hunting him. Although Atticus still held the disadvantage, he had a chance of beating Thrax one on one.
Atticus returned to the cave and cleaned the fish with the help of the stream. He kept the stick submerged to keep the fish cold. It’d be a delicious meal later to share with Celine.
The food issue handled for the moment, he headed to the spring, positioning himself near the entrance. He had encouraged Celine to rest, believing Thrax would pass by, and they would be free to escape that evening. Or at least he hoped.
Minutes passed. Then an hour. Then several hours. No sign of Thrax. Satisfied, Atticus moved back into the area they had claimed as their temporary hide-out.
Atticus scanned the area but caught no sight of the unruly haired woman. His heart hammered in his chest as he searched the area in earnest now. There was no way Thrax could have gotten past him, but Celine was gone.
He breathed in deeply, but nothing came back but the thick stench of sulfur.
Something splashed in the corner of the room. He stepped forward to attack but stopped when wet hair emerged from the blue water. It was then that his eyes landed on her wet clothing sitting on a nearby rock.
“I thought it might be a good idea to wash off any scent they might have,” Celine said, her expression sheepish.
Atticus knew he should turn and walk away. That he should place himself clear on the other side of the room. And yet his feet refused to move.
Celine was naked in the water. Worst of all, he knew she was naked in the water.
Unwilling to stop himself, he made his way over to the side of the water.
"It looks like Thrax moved on," Atticus said quietly.
His eyes dipped down to the water where the tops of her breasts were clearly visible. Just below he knew the perky nipples he fondled the night before were there, likely just as perky. His cock was already hard with need for her.
About a million thoughts went through his head, but none of them could be considered a good idea. Nothing had changed. Everything he believed before was still true. If he fucked her, there would be no turning back, and it was best for everyone if they just survived and went their separate ways.
That’s what his brain said, anyway.
Fuck, he wanted her. More than he had ever wanted anything.
"The water is really amazing," Celine said, and did a little spin. “I think I needed this after the past couple days.”
Atticus watched as she nibbled her bottom lip, her sweet doe eyes staring up at him.
He offered her a quick nod.
“Sometimes you just need to blow off a little steam,” she said.
Atticus cleared his throat. Damn, how he needed to blow off a little steam.
"You know," she said. "Maybe you might want to come in for a soak as well."
Atticus grunted. This was a bad idea. They still weren’t certain where Thrax was. Even if he had moved on, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t double-back, and the last thing Atticus needed was to get ambushed why he was fooling around in the water.
Celine gave a small smile as she backed up some from the edge of the pool.
Too much. Just too damn much.
"Fuck it," Atticus said.
The hybrid tore off his shirt and tossed it behind him. Next came his boots and socks. He loved the way Celine watched him as he stripped off his clothes.
His eyes fixed on hers, his hand resting on the button of his pants. It was now or never. Atticus wasn’t stupid. If his pants came off, he was going to want to put their naked bodies to good use.
With little hesitation, he unsnapped the fly and let his pants fall to the ground, his cock springing forth as he did so. Bare before her. There was nothing to hide now. Nowhere to run. And he had no intention of running.