‘But what if we see any other?—’
‘We won’t.’ He grins. Damn those dimples. ‘I told you, I’m fast. Besides, if we do, I’ll tell them you’re a nice takeaway, and I won’t be sharing.’
My mouth drops open. ‘Ass!’ He can joke all he wants, but this is madness. ‘I’ll just call my mother.’ I fumble in my pocket for my phone, but before I can get it he scoops me up, one arm under my legs and the other around my shoulders. His palm rests on my cheek, holding me tight to the contours of his chest. ‘Hang on,’ I hear him say. Then he starts to run.
‘Are you insane?’ I shriek, as we speed into the darkness. ‘Put me down!’
‘Sorry, can’t. And don’t think about being carried on my back, either. I’ve seen humans torn from vampire backs before. Don’t worry, we’ll be home soon.’
‘What?’ Fear thrums through me and I curl into him, my hand twisting in the leather of his jacket. Darkness is all around us and it’s like flying, a dream of gliding above the earth, stars streaking into light overhead.
Both my parents have carried me, when I was younger, playing games on the long lawns and rolling fields of our estate. When my father ran with me it was part terrifying, part exhilarating, and I used to laugh and cry in turn, tears leaking from my closed eyes. When my mother ran with me I felt safe, held in a net of love strong and soft as her long hair, which wrapped around me like living tendrils.
And with Kyle, it’s different again. The night is a blur of velvety dark, and it’s as though we’re the only two people on earth. All I hear is the wind rushing past, the pad of his feet on the road. I slip into a trance, feeling suspended in space and time, wrapped in his arms. When we finally come to a stop, I lift my head.
And blink.
‘Kyle?’
‘Emelia?’
‘Where are we?’
‘I wanted to show you something.’ He tilts his head to one side, his silver eyes catching the moonlight. ‘Don’t you trust me?’
Trust him? Fear is like a knife inside me.
I have no idea where we are.
There’s no light, other than the moon, but we seem to be in a meadow. The grass is cool with frost, stars sprinkled above us like silver glitter. There are trees, a wall of shadow. I realise we’re on the edge of a forest. The Great Forest. Fuck.
The Great Forest covers a large swathe of land, extending almost to the Safe Zone. A portion of it runs on our own land, and we keep it tamed. But this, this is the wild wood, home to darkness knows what. Kyle is waiting, hands in his pockets, moonlight catching the silver Raven crest on his badge. I remember that he’s pledged to my family, that death would be swift if he ever put me in harm’s way. Not that it would help me much, of course.
I swallow, my heart beating fast. Then I realise Kyle’s gone, leaving me in the meadow.
Alone.
ChapterFive
WATERFALL
‘Kyle?’
No answer. I strain to see into the darkness beneath the creaking trees. There are no landmarks, nothing I can orient myself by except the moon. My fists clench, tears in my eyes. When I pull out my phone, there’s no coverage.
I’m stuck out here.
Anger rises, cutting into my fear. Kyle issofired when I get home.IfI get home. I chew my lip, considering my options. Perhaps if I keep to the edge of the forest, I’ll make it back that way. I hope.
Before I reach the trees arms come around me, teeth grazing my ear.
‘Let me go!’ I push at the arms holding me like iron bands, even though I know it’s useless. I have no strength against vampires. But to my surprise I’m released, and a dark figure appears in front of me.
It’s Kyle.
‘What the fuck!’ I shriek. ‘Take me home, now!’
He leans in fast, like a striking snake, his hand tight on my arm. ‘No, and keep your voice down. It’s not safe out here.’
