ADRAIN POV
She was in such a state of panic that I had no choice but to render her unconscious. I carried her to the heart of the forest, a place I often retreated to. I couldn't bear the thought of her endangering herself further. Cradling her in my arms—one hand beneath her legs and the other supporting her back—I placed her gently on a couch. Now, I had to leave; they were waiting for me.
EIRA POV:
Oh God.
My neck aches terribly.
Where am I? No, no!
I've been kidnapped! If my parents find out, they'll bring me home.
What am I thinking? I should focus on who took me. Am I in danger? Questions flooded my mind, but somehow, I began to relax.
As I surveyed the room, I noticed the walls made of stone—so elegant and intricate. I was lying on a couch, with a bed in the left corner and a table in front of me. The space was minimal yet seemed to have everything one might need. It felt mysterious, distinct, and oddly tranquil, yet also strangely inviting.
What am I thinking? Why do I find this place so captivating? I must be losing it! I need to escape. I began searching for an exit, but the elaborate carvings on the walls made it hard to navigate.
Finally, I found the door—and it was open! Thank God! The kidnapper must be careless.
I stepped outside, and my breath caught in my throat. I was in a jungle, inside a cave. How can a cave be so beautiful? Who lives here? Inside, it didn't even feel like a cave. Yet, as I peered into the dense darkness outside, a wave of fear washed over me, making it hard to swallow.
I can't go out there. I just can't. I sprinted back inside, my heart racing. I decided to wait for the sunlight to break through my fear of the dark. Lying on the bed, I pondered who had kidnapped me. Slowly, my eyelids grew heavy, and I drifted off to sleep, unsure of when it happened.
ADRAIN POV:
When will this meeting ever end? I'm seething with the urge to confront whoever laid a hand on her. Our mission to find Andy should have been our focus.
She's a vampire too, so it's puzzling that Mike hasn't turned up any leads; after all, she's not human. Who's holding her captive? I need to get to the jungle before dawn breaks. Eira's fear of darkness means she won't attempt to flee at night, but I can't afford to take that risk. I have to reach her before it's too late.
EIRA POV:
As I slowly blinked my eyes open, a wave of panic washed over me.
Oh no!
How could I have allowed myself to sleep in a situation like this? I needed to escape before my abductor returned. I jumped to my feet, heart racing, but uncertainty gripped me. I dashed into the unknown, desperate to distance myself from danger, not quite knowing where I was headed. After running what felt like miles, I finally collapsed onto a rock, breathless and disoriented. Every direction looked the same, and my legs were screaming for relief.
Water! I desperately craved it; my throat felt like sandpaper. Just then, I heard the chilling sound of howls echoing through the trees.
I attempted to rise, but my legs betrayed me, crumpling under the weight of exhaustion and pain. A sharp ache radiated from my ankle. No! I couldn't afford to stay here; I had to keep moving. Gritting my teeth, I managed to get to my feet, but each step sent fresh waves of agony through my leg, signaling a sprain.
Then, looking up, I was met with a horrifying sight: big yellow eyes glowering at me. Wolves! They had formed a circle around me. How could they be so enormous? Fear coursed through my veins as they crept closer. I tried to back away, but my body remained paralyzed, caught in the grip of both pain and terror.
I'm going to die! I thought, closing my eyes, bracing for the inevitable. Suddenly, I felt a firm grip on my shoulder. I turned my head, heart pounding.
Adrain? No way! What was he doing here?
Confusion washed over me as I searched his face for answers. He glanced at the wolves, then back at me, his expression urging calm. Strangely, my fear began to fade at the sight of him. He broke eye contact, positioning himself protectively between me and the advancing wolves.
He's defending me! But how? Why? Doesn't he despise me? The questions swirled in my mind, but before I could sort them out, something remarkable happened: the wolves turned and fled. Adrain's back was to me, but when he finally turned around, I could see a mix of anger and concern etched on his face.
"Why did you come out?" he demanded, his voice low and tense.
"I was kidnapped! Wait—how did you know? Did you capture me again?" I shot back, frustration bubbling over.
"You fool! They were about to kill you!" he yelled, his voice laced with anger.
"Ouch! My leg! I'm in this situation because of you!" I winced, trying to maintain my balance.
His expression softened as he noticed my injury. Without a word, he helped me sit on a nearby rock and handed me a bottle of water. I accepted it gratefully; my throat was parched and raw. Yes, I was furious with him, but I'd save that battle for later. Right now, I needed hydration. I gulped it down eagerly.
For the first time, I caught a glimpse of a smile on his face. He looked more human that way, but as soon as I noticed, his expression hardened again.
"We need to get out of here," he said firmly.
I attempted to rise, but my legs betrayed me once more.
"Don't try! You'll hurt yourself. Come here," he insisted.
I hesitated, but before I could protest, he slipped an arm around my waist and pulled me close. I felt the warmth of his breath against my skin, our eyes locking in an unexpected moment of connection. I didn't even realize when my feet left the ground.
"Put me down! I can walk!" I exclaimed, panic creeping into my voice.
"I know you can," he replied, almost teasingly.
"Seriously, just let me go!" I protested, hitting his chest in frustration.
"You're surprisingly strong, you know," he said with a smirk, amusement flickering in his eyes. I hated him for that.
The more I struggled, the tighter his grip became.
"Will you stop moving? Do you want to go home?" he asked, exasperation creeping into his tone as he held my gaze.
I didn't respond, just nodded, defeated. Then he began walking, carrying me effortlessly as if I were weightless. I studied his face, but he remained focused ahead.
When our eyes met again, I saw a flicker of loneliness in his gaze. Before I could decipher what it meant, he looked away, and I felt the weight of sleep pulling at me. I didn't know when I drifted off, lulled by the comfort of his arms.