With a heavy heart and a clearly audible sigh Darla headed towards the base of the steep column, deciding there was no point in delaying the inevitable.
“Allow me mon chere.”
Feeling a sudden rush of air Darla was swept from her feet into strong arms, her body cradled close to Valmont’s cool solid chest. Smiling at her startled expression he quickly covered the short distance to the base of the steps.
Meet you at the top Quinn,” he called ignoring the familiar rumbling growl from his friend. He lowered his lips to her ear and gently whispered “Have you ever felt what it’s like to fly ma beauté?” Not waiting for her reply he chuckled lightly. “Hold on tight.”
The surrounding world blurred into obscurity under the surge of power as Valmont’s body flew forward at a phenomenal speed. Unable to resist she dropped her head back over his arms feeling a sense of weightless. The wind washed over her as they sped up the steep steps and she felt like she was flying.
The sound of her rapturous laughter echoed into the night.
Reaching the ridge at the top Valmont began to slow until they were finally clear of the edge. Still holding her tight in his arms he delighted in the way in which she had responded. A display of such exuberance and joy were entirely foreign for one of his kind.
“You can put her down now.” The deadly warning in Quinn’s tone did not go unnoticed by the vampire. Still feeding of her excitement he gently lowered her to the ground before reluctantly releasing her from his arms.
Still reeling from the thrill of it all Darla swayed, her body adjusting to solid ground beneath her feet. In a bid to steady her Valmont’s hands flew to her waist and the growl that emanated from Quinn this time drew both their attention.
“Quinn did you see it. Oh my god that was amazing!” She giggled dizzy from the adrenaline rush. “We went so fast!”
Without thinking Darla threw her arms around Valmont hugging him enthusiastically. “I think I’m going to enjoy having a vampire as a friend.”
Valmont froze, visibly shaken by such a genuine display of warmth.
“Wait a minute.” Taking a couple of steps towards Quinn her expression changed to one of puzzlement. “How did you beat us?” Before he could answer her she smiled. “Oh yeah, I forgot… your transporter device. Really glad I didn’t have to do the whole naked poofing thing again.”
Valmont raised a quizzing brow wondering why Quinn hadn’t explained his blinking ability to Darla. Could it possibly be that his friend’s feelings towards her ran deeper than he had first thought? If anyone had suggested such an idea before now, he would have instantly dismissed it as preposterous knowing the real reason behind Quinn’s hatred of humans. But now, having met the dark haired beauty, he had to admit that he wasn’t entirely sure.
Watching as Darla excitedly relayed the experience of her trip up the crater to Gallion and Larissa, Valmont could totally understand exactly how someone could develop strong feelings for such an intriguing woman.
* * * *
Trekking across the endless barren plateau that surrounded Centrals enormous crater Darla raised her head eager to observe the onset of the morning. No visible sun appeared in the sky, just a slowly increasing brightness, intensifying the swirling hues of pinks and purples. Never fully achieving the brightness of earth’s daylight it was still a welcome relief after the total dense blackness of the night.
Quinn had for some time now been leading the small group towards the ever nearing range of mountains. Larissa and Gallion flanked Darla on both sides whilst Valmont had chosen to cover the rear. Maintaining his relentless pace, tensions were high and all were alert with the knowledge that the vast openness of the plateau left them strategically vulnerable and open to attack.
Following silently behind Quinn, Darla suffered her own kind of misery. Her thigh and calf muscles aching with the continual torture of running and her mouth so dry that even her saliva glands had decided to quit on her. Her sheer determination to keep up with the others and not show any sign of weakness was the only thing spurring her body relentlessly on. And what should have been the welcoming safety of the encroaching mountains was just more cause for concern as she knew beyond doubt that the only way to the other side of the vast towering peaks would be to climb.
Finally reaching the shadow of the large range Quinn motioned for Gallion to take the lead. His sure footed knowledge of the wall of rock was staggering to see as he instantly located a well-worn trail. Jealously she admired the ease and grace of the pixie as he leapt from rock to rock his fluid movements reminding her of a mountain lion. Following closely behind him with quick-footed sureness, Quinn’s muscular physic aided him in effortlessly navigating the large rocks making Darla feel even more miserable at her own lack of agility.
Labouring behind the nimble pair, the gap slowly increased as Darla struggled with the sheer scale of the large boulders littering the trail. Every step slowly sapped her remaining strength little by little. Noticing her stubborn refusal to ask for help Quinn slowed his pace. Stretching his hand out towards her he effortlessly lifted her on to each and every rock, surprising her with the magnitude of his strength. Never having been known as a delicate female with her natural sporty physic and an ingrained inclination towards all things athletic, Quinn seemed not to notice her weight as he lifted her with no more effort than a small child.
As the day continued her muscles burned like they were on fire. No longer caring in which direction they were headed, all her effort was instead channelled into just placing one foot in front of the other.
Quinn pulled on her arm once more lifting her for what seemed like the millionth time and her shoulder screamed under the pressure of her own weight. Stumbling on a lose rock his arm instinctively slipped around her waist dragging her tight against his body. No longer caring if she appeared weak she dropped her head forward resting her forehead against his chest. Pulling in deep breaths of air she tried to still the shaking in her limbs as her tongue made a futile attempt at moistening her parched lips.
“Ten more minutes. We’re nearly there,” he whispered, his lips gently brushing against her hair. “You can do this Darla, you’re strong.”
With his gentle words of encouragement she involuntarily drew closer. Nestling into the firm contours of his body all she could think about was sleeping; blocking out the searing pain that racked her abused and tormented muscles.
“We have to keep going.” The steady stroke of his hand on her back was such a welcome sensation that Darla could have stayed there forever. “Ready?” He whispered.
Gathering the last of her remaining energy, Darla pulled herself upright and nodded. Moving past him she used both arms to drag herself onto the next rock, oblivious of the admiring looks from the others. Quinn assisted, his strong hands lifting her from behind unknowingly easing the pain that griped her shoulders. The next few minutes dragged on slow and painfully as she continued with the gruelling ascent. Each rock absorbed the last remaining dregs of her strength until almost defeated she feebly reached out for Gallion’s outstretched hand unaware they had reached the mountain top.
She stood for a moment barely catching her breath on shaking legs her body pushed to its limit before noticing the large pool of crystal clear water glistened in the light. It was unequivocally the most enticing thing she had seen. Swirling shades of pinks and purples reflecting from the sky above shimmered across the water’s surface such beauty made it appear entirely out of place in such desolate surroundings and Darla felt an almost overwhelming desire to cry.
Driven forward by an unrelenting thirst on legs made of lead she dropped to her knees at the pools edge ignoring the sharp stones and tiny rocks that dug into her flesh. Cupping the water in her hands she drank deeply feeling the crisp coolness reviving her parched throat. Cupping her hands once more she ran the soothing water over her face and hair removing some of the mountain’s dust, before drinking her fill.
Joining her at the pools edge Quinn mimicked
her almost precisely.
“We’re going to rest, but only for a few minutes. You have to keep your muscles moving or they will seize.”
Breathless and exhausted, she drank in his masculine beauty. Damp tendrils of hair clung to the strong contours of his face accentuating the light golden flecks of his dark brown eyes; eyes that ill-disguised his concern for the lengths to which he was pushing her.
He cared. Ha, angry man had let his guard drop and it was there for all to see. He cared!
A desire to brush aside the damp hair clinging to his skin engulfed her. Darla’s eyes dropped to the moist droplets of water innocently resting on his full masculine lips. Even with the large pool before her no water had ever looked more enticing than those few tiny droplets. Feeling her pulse quicken she raised her eyes to his, unaware of the erotic display her tongue made as it swept across her own lips.
His sharp intake of breath and the notable dilation of his pupils made Darla look away. Believing her thirst and her emotional state to be the cause of her uncharacteristic behaviour she simply nodded before raising more water to her parched lips.
Having drank her fill she laid back on the hard ground and closed her eyes focusing on steadying her breathing. Fear of falling asleep forced her to reopen them just a few seconds later only to discover Valmont towering above her a caring smile on his face.
Shielding her eyes from the light she noticed the dark glasses he now wore making her wonder aloud. “How is it you are out in the daylight? I thought that was impossible for vampires.
“In truth it is, but as you can see from your prime position, Redemption has no sun. It is sunlight that is damaging to my kind. My eyes however, are still sensitive to the light. But aside from that I suffer no ill effects from the daylight here.”
Smiling warmly up at her friend Darla added, “You must love it down here then.”
Shrugging nonchalantly he crouched down low, his forearms resting on his knees “It has its benefits, but then so does topside.”
“Topside?”
“Earth to you.”
“Oh I get that. So what are the benefits?” She asked curiously, raising her body to rest on her elbows.
“Tastier meals for one!” He grinned wickedly.
“Oh.”
“Supernaturals are nourishing enough but humans are like…what is the word I am looking for?”
“Richer, more filling?” Darla offered.
“No that’s not it… Oh, I know,” he replied lavishly sweeping her reclining body with a devilishly handsome smile. “Humans are more like desert.”
Quinn chose that moment to return; puzzled by her expression, a mixture of shock and amusement he frowned at Valmont wondering what they had been discussing. “We need to keep moving if we’re to make the great forest by nightfall.”
Offering his hand to help her rise he missed Valmont’s knowing smile at his friends curt and offhand behaviour. It seemed that the surly Quinn was now even jealous of anyone speaking to the beautiful Miss Gray. How the plot thickens.
Rested but still aching and tender, her muscles screamed at the immediate pain and pressure of standing, causing her to momentarily sway. Quinn’s arms were instantly there, steadying her against his body. Her heart skipped a beat at the familiarity of his touch making her feel even more unsteady and unsure. Pushing gently away she kept her head lowered and avoided eye contact, catching instead the amusing rise of Valmont’s brow.
“Thank you,” she whispered feigning cold detachment.
Silently willing her body to move forward without need of assistance she picked her way over the sharp stones that paved the floor, grateful for the thick soles of her new boots. Dragging her tired body around the edge of the pool she headed towards Gallion’s solitary figure standing on a small rocky outcrop, his attention fixed somewhere on a distant point.
Climbing up onto the last ridge of stones to join the stoic figure Darla stumbled, confronted by a view she had never envisioned.
Reaching out for as far as her eyes could see stood a magnificent forest of breath taking beauty. Its majestic grandeur combined with its wondrous size was the vision of fairy tales. Never before had a sight of such beauty moved her so deeply. Gallion Litheron silently turned towards the awe struck woman, a whimsical smile on his face.
Darla inhaled deeply placing a hand on her ribs, overwhelmed and breathless. “I can’t… I can’t find the words.”
Gallion’s face shone with pride. “Then I thank you for your compliment.” With his hands clasped behind his back, the pixie inclined his head in acknowledgement of the great honour she had unknowingly bestowed upon him. “This Darla Gray, is my home.”
“You live here?” She gasped in astonishment, unable to draw her eyes from the stunning scenery.
“Indeed I do, well, in a very small part of it, and I am not here as often as I would like. But yes this is the place I call home.”
“But it’s so huge.”
Staring out at the vast foliage he smiled fondly. “The great forest is home to many different species. Daoine Maithe lies to the east.”
Darla looked in the direction he was pointing wishing she could see it. “Daoine Maithe. Such a beautiful name; is it the name of your city?”
“It is the name of my village; it translates to ‘the good people’,” he explained. “Although we pixies regard all of the great forest our home, it is where we feel most alive; where we are at one with nature.” Longing shone in his eyes. “Come - I wish to show you.”
Darla watched as the pixie leapt swiftly down the side of the mountain, expertly manoeuvring the large boulders. Sharing his enthusiasm and eager to experience the forest for herself, she experienced a new surge of energy. Spurring her aching, abused muscles onwards she tentatively jumped the small drops between each boulder in the agile pixie’s wake, unfazed at all by the mountains sharp descent.
Descending the mountain proved much easier than the climb to its summit. Quinn and Valmont were readily at hand with eager arms to help lift her down whenever necessary. Gallion led the way still nimbly leaping from rock to rock as if his body weighed nothing and Darla had the impression that courtesy towards her lack of agility was the only thing holding him back. Larissa had taken the rear, frequently disappearing from sight on instruction from Quinn, checking that they weren’t being followed.
Not wishing to slow them down any more than was necessary; Darla constantly pushed her weary body beyond all previous limits. With each new step bringing them closer to the edge of the great forest the boulders began to grow smaller, decreasing in size until they finally became simple, manageable rocks. As they steadily wore on the light slowly faded, increasing the dangers of the uneven path before them.
Initially awestruck by the beauty of the great forest, the closer it drew the more intimidating its imposing size became. Dragging her weighted feet over tiny pebbles- which steadily began to merge into a lush thick moss- she tilted her head back, gazing up at the majestic tree before them. Immense sprawling branches reached out, beckoning them closer, welcoming them into the depths of the forest. The considerable girth of the age old trunk could easily have accommodated the outstretched arms of at least twelve people. Roots as large as fallen trees protruded above the ground weaving a treacherous obstacle course around its base.
Climbing their way over the gnarled protrusions they finally reached the shelter of the forest and Darla was captivated by the intricate canopy above them. The boughs of many trees loving embraced their neighbours, their outstretched branches entwining intimately becoming one. Thick vines webbed their way from one branch to the next weaving between large draping bales of moss.
Re-focusing on the trail ahead Darla was enthralled by the array of strange and unusual foliage. Dense clusters of exotic plants the size of garden trees grew side by side, their varying shades blending together in a startling array of colour. Teal, aqua, blues, deep purples and many other vibrant shades she could not put a name to all grew alongsi
de each other creating a stunning vision of beauty.
“You are truly a wonder to behold Darla Gray,” Gallion said, displaying what would most certainly pass as a smile from the usually stoic male. “Watching your reaction has awoken memories of my past, of a time when I myself first recognised the true beauty of my surroundings. And for reminding me of such thoughts I am indebted to you.”
Inclining his head once more, Gallion effortlessly ran towards the nearest tree; leaping high he used the trunk to propel himself to the canopy above. With outstretched arms he swiftly leapt from branch to branch, his balance and agility sending him sailing onwards barely pausing for more than a second. Admiring both his skill and grace Darla laughed light-heartedly.
Quinn and Valmont both paused, captivated by the lilting sound. With their curious stares focused firmly on her, she quickly covered her mouth suppressing further giggling in the process.
Quinn called to Gallion way above them. “We will need somewhere to rest for the night; suggestions?”
The pixie summersaulted down landing directly before them without even the slightest of sounds. “There is a clearing about fifteen minutes ahead. We should reach it just before dark.”
Quinn nodded, allowing Gallion to lead the way, the last of the day’s journey taken in a weary silence.
The clearing although relatively small, was strategically an ideal vantage point. Its open space provided a clear view of any impending danger from all directions. The soft dense moss carpeting the ground would be ideal for camping down. The only other plant life in the circular clearing was a single solitary tree which appeared almost magical silhouetted against the rapidly fading light. With a wide twisting trunk it gave way to gracefully sweeping boughs heavily laden with tiny individual white flowers.
Redemption - A Darla Gray Novel Page 13