Chapter Fifteen
Feeling more rested than she had in some time, Celine gathered her now dry coat and slipped it onto her body. She was glad to have the extra layer of protection before she took on the big, bad outside again. She wasn’t thrilled with the idea of leaving but knew they needed to.
Several times, she caught Atticus watching her. It wasn't the sort of watching she had hoped to get the day after they had slept together. Instead it was like he was observing her. Like any moment she might sprout wings and start doing tricks for him.
Something had happened, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She could sense a tension around him that felt different than before. Maybe it was the difference between hiding and emerging from their cave.
Atticus must have been preparing for the return trip back and another potential attack by Thrax. She wondered if Atticus had heard him but just wasn’t telling her. That didn’t quite make sense, though, as he’d been so honest with her about the threat before.
Celine’s heart thumped heavy in her chest. Maybe he was less worried about what would happen along the way then what would happen when they returned. After all, they didn’t know what they would be returning to. Maybe the Glycons had slaughtered the people there. Maybe they had gotten to Allison.
The mayor was supposed to have met up with Quintus the other night after work. Maybe the Glycons had gotten to her as well. Tears welled up in Celine’s eyes the more she thought about it.
She shook her head. Now was not the time for those thoughts. For now she would assume that things were as they should be, and when they got back, everything would go back to the way things were before she made the fateful decision to go visit the Azilians.
Something fluttered deep within her stomach.
Celine wanted to go back. She really did, but she didn't want to go back to the way things were, back to when Atticus pretended she didn't even exist. Back to where she lived without knowing what was going on in the world around her.
Ignorance was not bliss. It was just ignorance. And in this new world, ignorance could get a person killed. She needed to know if a monster was coming if she would have any chance of avoiding it, and like hell she was making it out of here just to get killed.
"You ready?" Atticus asked, pulling her from her thoughts.
Celine shook her head, and he frowned. He looked her up and down before meeting her eyes, a faint frown on his face.
She stared back. Not only would she not let herself be killed, she’d not let herself be afraid of going after what she wanted ever again.
"What's wrong?" Atticus asked.
Celine stepped forward, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him down for a soft kiss. When she pulled back, she was surprised to see the soft blue light in his eyes. She wasn’t sure she would ever get used to that but wasn’t going to complain. Something about it only turned her on.
She smiled warmly at him. "Now I'm ready.”
Celine slid her hand down his arms until their fingers twined together.
Once again, they maneuvered through the dark tunnel, Atticus as her guide through the pitch black.
Unlike the night before, this time she felt more at ease stepping through the lava tube. It was strange how one night could change a person's opinion about everything around them. How a strange place could seem like home when the person that means the most is there to share it.
Her heart kicked up again. She did care for Atticus. Not just cared, loved. It was hard to deny the feelings that Atticus brought out in her. Not to mention how amazingly well they fit together when they decided to express those feelings physically.
It sounded strange before, but the truth was obvious: they really were made for one another.
Fresh air filtered through an opening, and she breathed in deeply. Rain from the previous night had given the soil an earthy smell. It was just another piece to help keep them covered in their daring escape.
A soft rumble sounded in the distance. Atticus leaned close to her ear.
"There's rain coming," he said. "When we reach the opening, you'll need to ride on my back. It’s a different opening than the other one. I scouted it out the other night.”
“Are you going to be able to carry me?”
“I’m fine. I was injured before, but I’m okay now.”
Celine nodded. Atticus was much faster than she was. There was no way they would reach the compound before the rain set in.
A small circular opening came into view just ahead. The incline was steep as they made their way out. Atticus was just a few steps ahead and helped pull her though the opening.
It was funny. She never really thought of the black forest is being bright, but coming out of a pitch-black cave, it was amazing what a person could see. It was one of those moments where perspective was everything.
They stopped at the opening, and Atticus knelt to allow her to climb on his back. Her arms circled his neck, a finger slipping just inside his shirt collar to touch the blue tattoo that she knew to be there.
A soft hum pulsed between them. It was a reminder of their connection once again. Vestal and hybrid. Made for one another.
Atticus placed a hand on her ass to help hoist her up. “You good?”
Her thighs ached a little from the night before, but it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle. “Yeah.”
Celine leaned into Atticus and breathed in his scent.
"You ready?" he said.
She nodded against his back, and they were off.
Through the one good lens in her glasses, she could make out the whizzing of the trees that passed by them. She closed her eyes to shut out the whirling world around them.
His speed was a gift, but not one she was equipped to handle. Still she loved the feel. It was like riding a motorcycle, the wind in her face.
The first splash of rain pelted her closed eyes.
“We’re going fast, so this might sting a little,” Atticus shouted.
He hadn’t been wrong. The rain came at a steady pace now, slapping against her cheeks and blinding her already impaired vision.
Cold rain now slipped down her face, running down her back. She shivered as the cold seeped into her body. She wasn’t even sure how he could see in this rain, but Atticus still pushed forward.
Celine pressed closer against Atticus, his warm body helping to keep out the cold.
“You’re so warm,” she murmured.
A soft chuckle came from him, and Celine cursed the fact she hadn’t been able to see it. She loved to see him smile. His whole face just felt so warm and inviting.
A high-pitched scream came from nearby in the darkened woods. Her fingers clenched his shirt as a new shiver raced down her spine.
“Damn it,” Atticus shouted. “Bastard just won’t give up. He’s got our scent. Whatever you do, just don’t let go of me.”
Celine nodded and tightened her legs around his waist. She could feel his muscles as they strained to go faster. If she hadn’t been on his back, she was sure he would be able to outrun the Glycon. There was no doubt that she was only slowing him down.
Something sideswiped them. The impact was so hard her hands couldn't keep her grip on him. Celine went flying through the air and landed hard against a nearby tree.
She heard the loud crack as her head smacked against the bark. The world spun around her. Her body landed hard against the ground, glasses now lost to the forest floor.
Celine leaned forward, the contents of her stomach threatening to come forth from the force of the blow. She was certain she had a concussion, and that was probably the best-case scenario.
The thuds and grunts of two men fighting nearby reached her ears. Their forms were just barely visible through the rain and darkness. Her lack of glasses didn’t help, making it all one giant clusterfuck.
The slap of bodies as the two clashed grew closer. She pushed herself hard onto her feet but cried out as her ankle turned and collapsed under the weight.
Celine fell into the mud now. Heavy rain splashed all around them. A crack of lightning overhead lit the way forward.
She did the only thing she could think to do. She crawled.
"Stay away," Atticus shouted to her. “Run.”
Celine ignored him. She had to be with him. She wasn't certain she could do anything to help, but maybe if the creature had her, he would leave Atticus alone.
If offering herself would keep the man she loved safe, she would do exactly that.