by Unknown
Kaelyn quickly caught herself from falling, but couldn’t stop the flush she knew crept up her cheeks. Did he mean what she thought he meant? That cocky bastard! He’d have to be the last man on earth before she’d sleep with him, and even then…maybe not.
Kaelyn stopped as the mouth of the cave came into view. An eerie, pale green smoke drifted out of the cave making her tremble. She couldn’t take another step. She could hardly breathe. What ever was in there, real or imagined, scared the crap out of her. “You asked for me to take you to the cave,” Kaelyn said when Alexander stopped next to her. “Now you see it and now you can go in it. I’ll wait here.”
Alexander stared at her un-amused. “You’re coming inside too, or have ye forgotten ye leave when I say ye can leave.”
Kaelyn shuffled back a step. “Listen, Alexander, is it? I know what’s best for me, and going back in that cave is not a good idea.” She crossed her arms. “You can go in there by yourself, or not at all, but either way, I’m staying here.”
Alexander knew the cave scared her shitless. A light sheen sprinkled her forehead glistening in the moonlight. He glimpsed down at her shaky hands and she immediately shoved them in her pockets. Alexander pressed his mouth together. Why should he give this lass any quarter? He knew how deceiving women could be. Hadn’t he bent backwards for a lass once before…and look where that landed him.
Unfortunately, whether he wanted to release her or not, it still came down to him having something Cain wanted. Making up his mind, Alexander grabbed her upper arm in a tight grip. “Nice try, but you’re coming with me.”
Sheer panic filled Kaelyn. “Let go of me!” she screamed fighting his hold on her.
Alexander kept telling himself she’d run away in a heartbeat only to end up in Cain’s arms. Then what kind of leverage would he have? None. If anything, he helped her stay safe by keeping her close by, even if the lass didn’t realize it.
Kaelyn dug in her heels as he jerked forward, pulling her closer to the cave entrance. “Help!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. Nothing would make her go back in that cave. “Please, I promise I’ll wait out here for you,” she said as Alexander continued to ignore her protests. A couple more feet and they’d be standing at the mouth of the cave. Kaelyn clawed at the hand gripping her arm. Tears began to pool in her eyes. Her lungs gasped for air.
Alexander looked back over his shoulder when she began scratching at his hand. He did a double take. She resembled a crazed banshee with her hair stuck out everywhere and huge watery blue eyes looking wildly up at him. He stopped pulling her when she grabbed onto a small branch hanging over the trail. Alexander’s forehead creased. The lass seemed honestly terrified.
Disgusted with himself for caving into her lunacy, he growled out, “Sit down!” He gently set her down on a boulder off to the side of the cave. He had to calm her down or he wouldn’t be able to travel anywhere with her. Kneeling over her, he pressed her head between her knees. “Take deep breaths,” he said holding his hand on her slender neck. “Ye need to calm down. I dinna feel like carting your unconscious body around all night,” he grumbled.
Both Alexander and Kaelyn looked up when a loud rumble began in the belly of the cave. Louder and louder the thundering earth trembled, until a huge explosion blasted from the entrance. Alexander jumped over Kaelyn pushing her to the ground, covering her from any debris. Alexander felt the side of his arm burn as if hot coals pressed against it. He gritted his teeth against the pain. His body would begin to heal in but a moment.
With her eyes closed, Kaelyn felt an immense weight on her chest. Slowly, she opened her eyes to find Alexander gazing down at her from a few inches away. Uneasy under his gaze, she tried to get up, but he remained unmoved. The man was like a block of stone.
“Are ye alright?” Alexander asked, propping himself up on his forearms. Afraid he sounded concerned, he added, “You’re still coming in once the smoke clears.”
“Get off! I can’t breathe!” Kaelyn choked out, pushing on his chest.
Alexander immediately rolled off of her and rose. He was about to help her up, but thought better of it. If he showed any kindness toward her, she’d walk all over him.
Kaelyn slowly rose on wobbly legs. She knew if it wasn’t for Alexander, she would have been severely burned.
Alexander walked over to the cave entrance which still smoked. “I should’ve expected Cain to do this,” he mumbled to himself.
Kaelyn turned, regarding Alexander when her mouth dropped open. “Shit!” she yelled striding over to Alexander’s side. “Oh, my God! Look at your arm!” Cringing, she looked over the red, raw skin from his shoulder down to his elbow.
“Dinna worry about it,” he said shrugging her off. “Come on, ‘tis safe to go in now.”
“I’m trained in first-aid,” she started. “We need to take care of those burns or they’ll get infected.” Kaelyn pulled off what little remained of her flannel shirt. She was about to tear a strip of fabric off when Alexander stilled her hands.
“I’m fine. Let’s go-“
“But your arm-.” Kaelyn sucked in a deep breath as she glanced at Alexander’s arm, a completely healed arm. She would’ve thought she imagined him getting hurt, but his scorched shirt was evidence of what had happened. She opened her mouth a few times as if she gasped for air and backed away dropping her flannel to the ground. Alexander reached for her. “Don’t touch me!” she screamed. “What are you? Don’t!” she yelled again when he reached out once more.
Alexander narrowed his eyes. Clearly, he disgusted her. She didn’t want anything to do with him now that she witnessed his enigma. “I’m human…mostly,” he gritted out.
Kaelyn’s face paled. “Mostly?” she said hysterically. “What the hell are you talking about?” She continued backing up slowly. What was he? It scared her like hell to think he was another Cain. She had to escape.
“Lass,” Alexander said in a warning tone when Kaelyn’s gaze darted from side to side. He knew she contemplated bolting. He didn’t want to run anymore tonight. The woods were pitch-black, except for the bright glow from the cave and the twinkling stars in the sky. She could easily get hurt, or fall right into Cain’s hands.
Kaelyn chewed on her lip. She had to run…now, before it was too late. She had the advantage. She knew the woods like the back of her hand. First, she had to pull herself together. Kaelyn slowed her breathing and ran her hands over her knotted hair, smoothing it, and then brushed off her pants. She hoped she convinced him. Her gaze rose to the dark façade of Alexander’s face.
Alexander studied her. She seemed to have pulled herself together. “I’m an Immortal,” he said, noticing a slight tremor run through her body. Bloody Hell! He wished she wouldn’t look at him like he was a monster. Alexander spun around staring out into the dark woods. He ran a hand through his hair. “I willna hurt ye,” he said sounding unconvincing even to himself. “I’m only after Cain. I promise you’ll have your normal life back, all right?” Alexander turned when the silence grew too quiet. “Fuck!” he yelled to the empty spot where Kaelyn had stood.
* * * * *
Kaelyn ran as lightly and as fast as she could into the forest. She sprinted over trees, hurdled boulders, and pushed scratchy branches out of her way until a cramp filled her side, and yet, she still ran. She heard Alexander curse into the night. She knew it would only be moments before he caught up to her. She figured she ran parallel to Crater Lake, a small body of water nestled in the mountains formed by glaciers, which had long since melted. She knew the ranger’s station was up ahead. Making her way through the woods to the station would be easy if she could stay out of Alexander’s and Cain’s clutches.
Alexander easily recognized the trail Kaelyn had taken. The vegetation still lay smashed down. He ran after her trail, knowing he’d catch up to her. A human couldn’t keep running at a high speed for very long, he on the other hand, could sprint for a good hour before feeling winded.
Kaelyn placed her hand
over her aching side. She thought the cramp would subside, but it hadn’t. How long had she been running? Did Alexander continue to chase after her or had he given up? She stopped, leaning up against a tree and listened into the night. Total silence. Leaves crunched in front of her. A devilish laugh filled the night.
“How convenient, lass,” Cain drawled. “Surely, ye willna mind if I tie up your hands before I take ye this time?” Cain reached out as Kaelyn stepped back losing her footing. She hadn’t realized how close she stood to the steep bank of the lake. She tumbled backwards, somersaulting into the lake, plunging beneath the icy waters.
As she swam below the water trying to right herself and discover which way was up, her lungs started burning due to the lack of oxygen. Her skin grew numb. Haziness filled her mind. Exhaustion set in. Had it been twenty-four hours since she slept? As the cold blackness and utter quietness of the water surrounded her, she slipped into a deep, dark sleep.
Alexander spotted Kaelyn right before she splashed into the lake. Cain stared at Alexander. Alexander stared at Cain before glancing over at the water.
“What’s it going to be, Alexander?” Cain said smoothly. “A useless woman or a foe you’ve been after for centuries?”
Alexander cursed. He glanced down toward the lake which reflected the moon on the smooth surface. Kaelyn hadn’t surfaced. Alexander turned back to Cain. “I’ll be getting ye soon, Cain. Dinna forget it.” Cain laughed into the night as Alexander sprinted down the slope and dove into the black, calm water.
Alexander opened his eyes seeing nothing but black. Swimming deeper, he only found the stringy arms of water plants. He surfaced for another huge intake of air and abruptly dove below the waters once more. Submerging deeper still, his fingertips brushed across a silky mess of thread, or hair. He reached out discovering the lifeless form of a human…Kaelyn.
Grabbing her around the waist, he pushed up, breaking the surface. He brought her head above the water and stealthily swam to the bank. Once on dry ground, he pulled her waterlogged body out, laying her flat on her back. He knelt down resting his cheek close to her mouth. No breath. He pinched her nose and blew two deep breaths into her causing her chest to rise. He was about to lean down for a second attempt, when water sputtered from her mouth followed by a fit of coughing.
Alexander turned her head, letting the water drain out. When she gained her breath back, Alexander asked, “Better?”
Kaelyn swallowed, feeling pain the whole way down her raw throat. “I think,” she croaked. She closed her eyes as tiredness consumed her. Did someone talk to her?
“Stay with me, lass,” Alexander yelled, gently shaking her shoulders. Kaelyn’s eyes barely opened, dangerously close to shutting again. “Kaelyn, stay with me. Och! You’re freezing,” Alexander said more to himself upon feeling her chilled skin.
He had to get her out of her wet clothes and find someplace warm and dry. Remembering the maps he studied of the area, he recalled the ranger’s station close by. Alexander reached down picking up Kaelyn. The lass resembled a wet rag doll in his arms. Her inhaling and exhaling remained shallow against his neck. He focused on her breathing as he swiftly made his way through the forest toward the station. In the back of his mind, he knew Cain had vanished from the banks, and another chance at ending his hellish mission lost.
* * * * *
Through the trees, Alexander saw a small wooden shack. He climbed the three rotted wood steps up to the door and kicked it in. The station was vacant, probably until the weather grew warmer. He gently laid Kaelyn on the hard wood floor. He went over to the small fireplace and threw in some dusty cobweb covered logs sitting off to the side. Feeling around on the mantle, he discovered a box of matches.
Once the fire’s flames sputtered, he milled around in the dim cast of light. An old wooden desk sat in the corner of the small one room shack. A useless cot, which had been eaten by moths, leaned up against the wall, and a tall armoire of sorts stood on the opposite wall covered in a thick layer of dust. He opened the armoire doors, finding magazines, two dusty blankets, and three bottles of water. He grabbed the blankets and laid one out on the floor.
Ever so carefully, he picked Kaelyn up and laid her on the blanket. Gingerly, he pulled of her soaking wet hiking boots, setting them by the fire. Leaning down close to Kaelyn’s ear, he softly said, “I need ye to wake up now, lass.”
A groan escaped Kaelyn. Two hot iron bands held onto her. Their warmth seeped into her cold body. Someone spoke her name. Again. One more time. Fighting exhaustion, her eyelids slowly fluttered open. Confused, she looked around through half-lidded eyes taking in her surroundings. She lay in the center of a cottage…no, the ranger’s station, and the Immortal leaned over her. “What happened?” she croaked. A chill racked her body. “I’m so cold.” She wrapped her arms around herself and fought to keep her eyes from closing.
“Ye fell in the loch. We need to get ye out of your wet clothes and get ye dry before ye succumb to the fever.” Alexander reached for the button on her jeans, pausing when his fingers grasped it. “I’m no going to hurt ye,” he said sincerely. Kaelyn closed her eyes nodding as her teeth chattered endlessly. Alexander proceeded. Carefully, he unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans exposing her gray cotton panties. He tugged the soaking wet pants down her legs as the sodden material suctioned to her. After he set the pants by the fire to dry, he continued with her tank top, drawing the flimsy piece of fabric up over her head, revealing a white cotton bra.
Alexander licked his lips subconsciously as he glimpsed the dusky, hard nipples poking through the transparent undergarment. He shook his head. Leaning her against his chest for support, he bent down and peeled the dripping wet socks off her feet. Finally, he drew the other blanket over her and fanned out her long flaxen hair to dry. As her clothing dried by the fire, he realized there was nothing more he could do for her. He undressed, spreading out his pants and shirt by the blowing heat so they could dry, too.
Alexander stabbed at the fire with an iron poker and glanced over his shoulder at Kaelyn when her teeth chattered. He cursed. Why didn’t he grab Cain when he had the chance? Why did he even take the time to care about some woman’s welfare? Because she was an aid to catch Cain, he reminded himself.
He fidgeted with the blanket around her face when she wouldn’t stop chattering. He studied her. She was a bonnie lass, so tough, yet delicate. He clenched his jaw. He should have let her die. Would she have done the same for him if the tables were turned? Weren’t all women shallow, selfish, and liars to boot? She was worried about your burnt arm, the voice in his head reminded him. And who wouldn’t run when a wound healed before their very eyes?
He glanced over at her again. Aye, she could be different, he supposed. Kaelyn’s teeth stopped chattering and she grew still. Too still. Alexander leaned over feeling her freezing cold cheeks. This wasn’t working. She wasn’t getting warm. He stoked the fire creating a raging inferno and scooted over to Kaelyn’s curled up, shivering form. He lifted the blanket, edging in next to Kaelyn’s dangerously cold body. “Kaelyn,” he said gruffly. “I need ye to stay awake. Stay with me, lass. I’m going to get ye warm.” He pulled her into his chest and gritted his teeth as her ice cold flesh met his. He rubbed her back briskly up and down causing her to moan.
“I…want…to sleep,” she mumbled against his chest. Warmth beckoned her, but she had to walk down a long tunnel to get to it. After a few minutes of someone jostling her, the fog wrapped around her brain began to subside. She opened her eyes…and stared at a hard, bronze, naked chest. “What’s going on?” she asked, slowly pulling away.
Alexander felt her body stiffen against him and knew her mind had cleared. He stopped rubbing her back, but kept his arms around her. Her flesh showed signs of getting warm and he didn’t want her to relapse. “Ye were about to succumb to the chills. Ye still may catch a fever,” he said, a few inches away from her face. “We’ll have to be careful,” he mumbled to himself as his gaze kept darting to her plump pin
k mouth. Alexander cleared his throat. “The fire wasna working. I had to use my body heat to warm ye.”
Kaelyn brought her hand up and rubbed her eyes. “I’m still cold, but I think I can manage by myself now.” Kaelyn pulled away, but to no avail. She glanced up, worry in her eyes. Slowly, he released her. Kaelyn sat back and smoothed her hair down. “You pulled me from the waters didn’t you? I guess I owe you.”
“Ye dinna owe me anything,” he said sounding a little too rough. He didn’t want her to be nice to him because she “owed” him anything. He wanted her to be nice to him because she wanted to.
Kaelyn fidgeted with the stiff, scratchy blanket between her fingers. “I want to sleep,” she said laying her head down on the blanket creating some distance between them.
“Your skin is still too cold. I dinna want ye to fall asleep and ne’er wake up. I need ye to stay up a while longer.”
Kaelyn let out a long sigh. “I can’t. I just want to sleep,” she said yawning.
“What will make ye not fall asleep?” Alexander asked.
“You could talk to me, I suppose.”
Alexander gritted his teeth. He didn’t talk with women. “About what?”
Kaelyn stared up at the shadows flickering on the ceiling from the light of the fire. “You said you were mostly human. What are you?”
* * * * *
CHAPTER FIVE
She should be running as fast as she could trying to get away from Alexander, she thought. Instead, she lay a foot away feeling safe.