Blaze looked relieved. He tossed me a friendly smile and then glanced at the ground, pressing forward. There was nowhere else to go but up.
“Don’t worry about the caves,” Ayden said. “I’ve seen them before. Leo brought me to them one other time. They are located in a remote area and it’s a challenge to get caught there because of the waterfalls.”
“Okay.” I gave him a subtle nod, having no choice but to take his word for it.
It wasn’t long before I started to smell the water. It smelled like wet rocks, wet soil. Then soon after, I could hear the rushing sound of the water as it cascaded down the flow of the mountain ledge and plummeted into the grotto below.
I swallowed hard and looked at the ground, trying to manage my emotions and focus on something, anything, other than the sound of the water slamming into the pond below. I couldn’t see it yet, but it was there. Everything about the scenery gave its presence away.
I inhaled sharply and glanced up at the canopy of leaves. They stretched up to the sky and seemed to scrape at the atmosphere. I had an unsettled feeling about all this. It was unnerving to not have any clue about where we were going and what was going to happen to us in the coming days once we got there.
It was almost as if the leaves were sending their whispers through the trees, taunting us, coaxing us, and warning us all at the same time.
If only I could discern what the soft whispers were trying to say to me…
“Are you all right?” James’s question cut through my thoughts like a knife slicing through pie.
“Me?” I questioned and pointed to my chest, continuing to trudge along the path as we pressed on.
“Yes, you.” He nodded and chuckled.
“I’m…fine.” I didn’t even sound convincing to myself.
“I would never ever lead you astray to a place that would cause you harm,” Ayden cut in. His voice sounded wounded, defensive.
I softened my demeanor slightly and gave him a simple smile. “You’re right. I’m sorry if I seem distrustful. I’m simply rattled from what happened with Thom. I should be thanking you, groveling at your feet for not leaving me behind to seek refuge on your own.”
Ayden seemed to relax slightly at my revelation. His eyes shimmered with warmth and unity that I wanted to embrace for all the lasting days of my life.
“She’s not afraid of the caves,” Blaze said. “She’s afraid of the water near them.”
Ayden gave me a look of understanding. “Because of the…river?” He hesitated before stating the last word in a hushed tone.
I nodded and bleakly looked down at my boots. “I’ll be all right.”
It was the truth. I had survived far worse than a waterfall, and just recently. Being held at knifepoint by my ex-Master Thom was one of the worst experiences of my life. Why would I let a little water bother me?
The answer was clear and rang shrilly through my mind.
Because you could still die in the water, Sophia.
There was a simple solution for that too. I didn’t have to go near the water. I would choose to stay away from it. There. Problem solved.
If only it were that easy, but nothing ever was.
“Are you sure?” Blaze was right there to offer a comforting touch to the small of my back.
I looked at him and smiled. “It’s better than Thom shoving me along to who-knows-where with a knife to my throat.”
“That’s true,” he said with an empathetic look in his eyes.
I glanced over my shoulder. “What about…Cameron?”
Blaze looked torn. “We will find him. I promise.” There wasn’t much hope ringing in his voice, which bothered me.
I couldn’t get the nervousness and uncertainty about Cameron’s whereabouts out of my head. His absence gnawed at my brain. Cameron had shifted before the riots had broken out in the sleepy little village streets.
He probably had no idea about the terror unfolding in the valley down below. He was probably roaming the hills on the mountain tops trying to keep himself grounded before the light of day hit once again. Cameron was bound by the shackles of his last Master’s vicious acts. He had been free from a Master for a while, yet the lingering effects kept him in a different kind of cage.
It was a tragedy to watch him struggle with shifting into a werewolf overnight, each night. I saw the dark circles under his eyes. I saw the way his posture slumped with fatigue. It must have been an exhausting ordeal for him to endure night after grueling night, and now we had had no choice but to abandon our last known location.
How would we ever get word to him about our new whereabouts? We had to figure out a way to get a message to him. I couldn’t bear the thought of knowing that he would soon shift back and feel undoubtedly lost and alone.
It was the middle of the night and we didn’t have much time to figure out a way to reach out to Cameron. I felt like the walls were narrowing in on us. I just hoped we would make it to the caves before the Masters and their guards did.
We had made sure to keep watch over our shoulders to ensure we weren’t followed into the woods leading up the mountain. So far, it appeared that we were in the clear, but you could never let your guard down, even for a single second. The events of tonight had proved that.
We kept walking. I continued to think about Cameron out there roaming the woods alone, probably blissfully unaware of the rebellion taking place in the neighboring village.
A few minutes later, Leo, Otto, and Ayden stopped. “We’re almost there,” Leo whispered.
“We are?” I listened to the sound of the waterfall but couldn’t trace it.
“Yes, we are on the other side of the waterfall,” Ayden said, answering my question for me.
“It’s just over there, a few more steps to go.” Leo pointed in the general direction, but even though my eyes had long since adjusted to the darkness, I still couldn’t see the caves for the life of me.
“I’ll guide you,” Ayden said gently and took my hand. “Because of the surrounding waterfall, some of these rocks can get a little tricky and slippery to maneuver across, especially at night.”
“Good.” I nodded, relieved that he was offering help. “I’m a little accident prone.” I chuckled in an attempt to both poke a little fun at myself and lighten the mood.
My efforts seemed to work. Ayden smiled through the beams of moonlight playfully playing hide and seek through the trees.
As soon as we arrived at the caves, the musty smell of water was back in full force, slamming into my nostrils. There was a mistiness to the air, and it felt dank and humid.
“In here,” Ayden whispered as we crawled into a cave that was tall enough past the opening to stand up in.
“I have candles in my backpack,” Leo said.
“Thank goodness,” I replied. At least they’d had the presence of mind to come prepared, even as chaos had circled around us.
He began to light the candles and placed them onto the ground one by one, illuminating the darkened caves. There wasn’t much to see, other than the stone walls. It was uncomfortable inside and a little steamy, but we were safe, and I tried to remind myself that was all that mattered in the end.
“I can show you all around the other parts of the cave if you want?” Leo suggested.
I glanced around. “I’m feeling a little tired…”
“I can stay with her,” Ayden blurted out, “while the rest of you try to figure out what else is here and to make sure that we are…” He trailed off and gave me a cautious look. “Alone here in these caves.”
“Great.” James and Blaze seemed to have no problem with the plan, and I was frankly relieved that I could now rest my aching joints.
I sat against the edge of the wall and tucked my knees up to my chin. “At least it’s dry in here.” I smiled.
Ayden cupped my hands in his. It felt good to be coddled, to have him attentive over me. “I know that you’re shaken up by what happened back there in the village and you had to run away befo
re you even got to process what was going on.”
“That’s one way to put it,” I said, but still managed a little chuckle.
Ayden gave me a sympathetic smile in return. “I would do anything to protect you.”
“Thank you for how you carried us out of there,” I said, not skipping a beat. “You have so much bravery inside of your heart.”
Ayden gave me a look of adoration. “You do as well.”
“I’m working on it.” I rolled my eyes and shifted my weight, attempting to get comfortable. It was going to be a long night and an even lengthier road ahead.
I heard the others’ echoing, muffled voices through the walls of the caves. The cave system must have been big enough to offer refuge in different sections, but still conjoined and squeezed together enough that we could still hear the sound of voices and know whether we had extra company.
“Sophia?”
I lifted my chin and met Ayden’s gaze. His eyes were locked on me.
“Yeah?” I whispered in return.
“I would die to protect you. I would give my life if it meant that you could keep yours.” The reflection in his eyes and the sincerity in his voice let me know that he was absolutely, one hundred percent telling me the truth.
I nodded, unsure of how to respond because the moment between us was so intense.
“Thank you,” I finally squeaked.
Ayden sat down next to me. He took my chin in his hands and lifted my face. He leaned in and gently pushed his lips to mine. Euphoria and an electric sizzle of pleasure clouded my senses and for a few brief moments while our mouths were pressed together, the rest of the world and all of its problems melted away.
It was as if in that moment, nothing corrupt or sinister could penetrate our passion.
When Ayden finally pulled away, I still felt the lingering touch of his smooth lips on mine. It was exquisite. “Thank you. I needed that distraction.”
Ayden smiled, seemingly pleased with himself and his actions. “I will jump at any chance to enjoy a private bonding encounter with you.”
I squeezed his hand. “I wholeheartedly concur.”
“I think we should go and find the others,” Ayden said.
After receiving that rejuvenating kiss, a little exploration didn’t seem like such an impossible task anymore.
Ayden extended his hand and helped me to a standing position. “I think we should discuss the idea of trying to find Cameron,” I said.
“Yes.” Ayden’s expression was a touch somber. “We can’t leave him behind.”
“Do you think that he would go back to the village?” I asked.
“He might be lurking around the bunker until dawn,” Ayden admitted.
It seemed like a practical assumption. “Maybe we can persuade the others to head there before dawn so that we can stop him before he gets too far away?”
“Yes.” Ayden nodded. “I know we can find the bunker from here.”
I breathed a little easier. “Good. Let’s go and tell the others.”
I hoped that we wouldn’t get resistance from Otto and Leo. I was fairly certain that Blaze and James would be on board. They cared deeply about Cameron. He was one of their closest friends.
“I don’t think I’ll sleep much for the rest of the night anyway,” I admitted.
Ayden nodded agreeably. “It’s been stressful. It might take some time to climb down from the adrenaline rush.”
“Speaking of rushes.” I smiled. “I got a thrill when you kissed me.”
If Ayden could have lit up the room with his own joy, he would have. He took my hand and led me to the others in a nearby cave.
They were looking around, staring through tunnels as if they were looking for something specific.
“Hey, guys,” Ayden said. “Sophia and I have been talking.”
The rest of our group turned around and gazed at us expectantly.
“I think we should go find Cameron at the break of dawn and him bring back here,” I said.
“Of course.” James and Blaze gave each other a look as if that wasn’t even up for debate.
I looked at Ayden and smiled with relief. I wasn’t even going to have to plead my case. It was a wonderful feeling.
“Then its settled?” Ayden glanced at Leo and Otto to make sure they were on the same page.
They shifted their weight awkwardly and exchanged a look of apprehension, but then nodded.
“It’s best if we don’t split the group until we can figure out a more solid plan for the long haul. I know Cameron is a nice guy and he doesn’t deserve to be left behind,” Leo said.
“Let’s get some rest first,” Otto suggested. “We will need to be alert for whatever lies ahead.”
As we trudged back to the main cave, I couldn’t help but feel anxious about what the future might bring, but at least I had the protection of four amazing shifters who would go to the ends of the world to keep me alive. I had no trouble admitting that I would be more than willing to do the same for them.
4
James
Daylight hadn’t spread its soft and silver glow across the painted sky just yet, but it was coming soon. We needed to head away from the caves and back in the direction of the bunker. We only had a tiny window of opportunity to find Cameron before he headed back to the hotel in the village, unaware of the battle that had taken place the night before.
He would be shifting back to human form shortly. We had to intercept him before we lost him for good.
I placed a backpack over my shoulders and prepared for the hike. It would only be a couple of miles, but we had to be prepared for anything.
“Let me go with you,” Sophia whispered to me when we were alone.
I glanced over my shoulder and then back to her. I let out a somber sigh. “You know I can’t say yes to that.”
“Why not?” She frowned defensively.
“It’s not safe,” I stated.
“What is safe anymore?” she argued. “Nothing, it seems. Safety has lost all meaning in this world.”
“You’re safe here,” I countered, in an attempt to keep her hopes alive.
Sophia rolled her eyes. “I can help you out there looking for Cameron.”
“You can help me by staying here with the others and not getting yourself stolen or injured.”
“Who is going with you then?” Sophia asked.
“Ayden,” I said.
“Will Blaze stay here with me?” Sophia’s eyes were beautiful but apprehensive. “I don’t know Leo and Otto very well.”
I raised my hand and gently stroked the side of her cheek, tucking a strand of her jet black hair behind her ear. She normally wore it in a slicked back, tight bun, but in these early hours it cascaded like a velvety mane down her back.
“Leo and Otto are good men,” I reassured her. “But yes, Blaze will be staying behind with you.”
Sophia’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “Okay. I guess I can live with that.”
“We’re all lucky to be living at all,” I reminded her.
She managed a smile. “I suppose you are right about that.”
I kissed the side of her cheek and the top of her head. She gazed up at me with eyes shimmering with longing.
“I will be back soon for you, I promise.” I draped my arms around her waist and hugged her close.
I wanted to appreciate the feminine scent of her hair. It was important to hold her so that she would know how intensely she was cared for and needed. It was necessary for all of us to encourage one another and lift each other up.
“Just promise me one thing.” Sophia locked my gaze.
“I will do my best,” I said.
The edges of Sophia’s lips curled into a grin. “Please be careful.”
I wanted to tell her that I had been roaming these woods for more years than I cared to admit, but I simply nodded.
“I promise.” I placed my hand to my chest and gave her my most earnest smile.
“Good luck.”
She squeezed my hand.
“Thank you.”
Ayden approached at that moment. He hugged her and gave her a kiss goodbye too, promising to return safely with Cameron in tow. Then, it was time for the two of us to head off into the woods without knowing what we might face out there.
“You know what?” Ayden said and peered at me curiously after we had been trudging along for several minutes.
All was quiet in the world, aside from the faint chirp of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl high up in the tree tops.
“What?” I looked at Ayden.
“Sophia mentioned to me that sometimes she has these…feelings.” He frowned as if he didn’t really know how to explain it.
“I think she said the same thing to me once,” I said. “She has these intense feelings where she can anticipate when something bad is about to happen.”
“And she didn’t indicate anything like that to us before we left,” Ayden said with a hopeful ring.
“But she also didn’t seem to be able to perceive the rebellion outbreak in advance either,” I said.
Ayden pondered. “She was asleep then. Maybe it doesn’t work that way.”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
About a mile into our hike back to the bunker, Ayden stopped suddenly. He cocked his head to the side. The expression on his face reflected dread.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Shh…” He held up his hand. “Be quiet for a minute.”
The hairs on the back of my neck prickled. A tingling sensation of fear crackled through me and briefly paralyzed my senses. I heard a snap, then a crunch. It was the sound of someone walking across a bed of leaves and twigs and cracking them under heavy boots.
I looked at Ayden. “What do we do?” I hissed almost inaudibly.
Ayden shook his head. He looked frozen.
“Do we shift? Do we move?”
Ayden didn’t respond.
“Let’s go behind that tree over there,” I suggested and pointed to a thick trunk behind us.
Ayden nodded and we tiptoed as delicately and quietly as we could manage.
I didn’t allow myself to breathe again until we were safely secluded behind the tree. We both cautiously peeked out from behind it, daring to catch a glimpse of what was moving in the woods.
Dark Swan 2 Page 3