Madison's grip on Nate's hand tightened as she pulled him along, her breath ragged but determined. With a flash, they appeared in front of a cave, the dark entrance looming like a refuge in the chaos.
"We should recover here," Madison said, her voice hoarse as she helped Nate stagger inside. His face was pale, and his steps were unsteady, the injury on his side slowing him down.
Once inside, Madison quickly pulled at the dangling tree branches near the entrance, creating a makeshift cover to obscure them from view. The cave wasn't deep, but it offered enough shelter for now.
Amara was lying on the floor where Madison had left her earlier, her chest rising and falling faintly. Madison knelt beside her and carefully inspected her body.
"She was hit by something heavy," Madison murmured as she ran her fingers lightly over Amara's arms and ribs. "But she'll live."
She glanced over at Nate to share the news, but he had already closed his eyes. Exhaustion had overtaken him, and he leaned heavily against the cave wall, his head tilted back, his breaths slow and shallow.
Madison sighed as she sat down against the wall, the weight of their ordeal pressing down on her. Her eyes drifted upward to the glowing insects clinging to the walls and ceiling of the cave. Their bright blue light illuminated the space, casting an ethereal glow over everything.
She'd never seen anything like them before, and for a moment, her tired mind marveled at their beauty. But her exhaustion was too great, and soon her head drooped, her body sliding slightly down the wall as sleep claimed her.
---
Nate didn't know how long he had been out. His body ached as he stirred, his side throbbing with a dull pain. He opened his eyes to find the cave bathed in the same soft blue light, the world outside silent except for the faint rustling of leaves.
Madison was still asleep, her head resting against the wall, her breathing even. But Amara was awake.
She sat up against the opposite wall, her skeptical gaze fixed on him. Her neck bore faint bruises, and her movements were slow and deliberate, but her eyes were sharp.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice low and cautious.
Nate rubbed his face and quickly filled her in, explaining how they'd found her, the beast attack, and how Madison's new power saved them.
"So, Claire is off to find Lena with your other friend?" Amara said, rubbing her sore neck.
Nate nodded, his eyes scanning her properly for the first time. He hadn't had the chance to take in her appearance amidst all the chaos.
Her face was striking, undeniably beautiful, with features that carried an air of maturity and strength. Her body was voluptuous, her curves accentuated by the faint light in the cave. She looked older than he had expected, her appearance suggesting she was in her thirties, with a presence that felt both commanding and alluring.
Something stirred in Nate's mind, something he hadn't anticipated. His thoughts grew hazy, his exhaustion giving way to unbidden fantasies. Images flashed in his mind—her body pressed against his, his hands trailing over her skin, the sensation of tearing her clothes away, his lips exploring every inch of her.
He blinked rapidly, shaking his head as if to clear it, guilt and confusion washing over him.
What the hell is wrong with me? he thought, forcing his gaze away from her.
Amara raised an eyebrow at his sudden shift in demeanor. "Are you okay?" she asked, her tone skeptical.
Nate coughed and straightened, his face flushing slightly. "Yeah, just tired," he muttered, avoiding her gaze.
She didn't press further, leaning back against the wall and closing her eyes again. But Nate couldn't shake the lingering thoughts, and the weight of the moment pressed heavily on him as he tried to steady his mind.
Nate winced as he pressed his hand against his side, expecting to feel the sharp sting of his wound. Instead, his fingers grazed over smooth, unbroken skin. The pain lingered, but the gash was gone, leaving behind nothing but a faint ache. Confusion clouded his thoughts, but before he could dwell on it, his gaze shifted to Amara.
She was watching him. Her piercing eyes seemed to see straight through him, and for a moment, he felt vulnerable, exposed. His mind betrayed him again, conjuring up images he couldn't push away. He imagined pulling her closer, his hands exploring her as he kissed her deeply, letting the tension of the past hours melt away.
Amara moved. Slowly, deliberately, she crawled toward him. Her movements were graceful but hesitant, as if she, too, was unsure of what she was doing. Nate's breath caught in his throat. His heart pounded against his ribs, and he couldn't look away.
Before he could think, before he could stop himself, his hands lifted. They cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing against her skin. She didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering shut.
The space between them vanished as his lips met hers. The kiss was soft at first, a tentative exploration, but it quickly deepened. Their breaths mingled as their lips parted, their tongues meeting in a fervent dance. Nate's hands slid to her neck, then her shoulders, pulling her closer.
Amara responded with equal intensity, her fingers curling into his hair, holding him as if she was afraid he might pull away. Time seemed to slow, the world around them fading into nothingness. There was only her warmth, her taste, and the way her body pressed against his.
It was raw and unrestrained, a connection forged in the heat of the moment, born from exhaustion, relief, and something neither of them fully understood. For that brief moment, nothing else mattered.