A Touch of Darkness

Chapter 17

A few hours passed and though my blood healed his wounds quickly, Damien's body still shook against mine.  The cold sending quivers coursing through his limbs.

"Take your shirt off" 

"What? I'll g-get c-colder" Arguing through his chittering jaws.

Sitting up, pulling his body with me.  Pulling his shirt over his head without asking, following my own shirt over my own head.

"Didn't you ever take health class" Groaning in annoyance as I pushed his back to the uneven ground  "I might not make body heat, but it will help a little"

His arms clung to my back as I placed my body directly over his.

"I-I was never g-good in s-school" Laughing through the chills.

Falling silent as my cheek rested on his heart beat.  Keeping close track of the rhythm. My hands pushing beneath his head, to form a somewhat pillow, trying to give him some sort of comfort. 

"Do you think he'll find us?" Damien asked softly.  His shivering finally slowing.

"I'm not sure" My small voice barely audible.

His body shifted below me "What is it?" His fingers dragging my hair away from my face.

Where do I even start?! You've almost died twice since meeting me!

"Nothing" Mumbling out.

His chest let out a cold chuckle.  "You may not be human, but I know better than to believe a girl when they nothing's wrong" 

Staying quiet, though he was right.

"Just tell me" His chilled hand pulling my face toward his so I'd have to meet his somber gaze.

"You've nearly died twice now since meeting me.  Doesn't that bother you?" My serious gaze taking him off guard.

"I haven't thought about it" Tilting his head thoughtfully.

"How?!" Sitting up. Straddling his hip raising my hands in defeat.

His hands finding my hips, my face falling at how cold they still were.

"You've saved me twice" 

"Only because I've put your life at risk!" Looking away.

He sat up meeting my gaze, hands forcing my face to look at him.  How can I keep putting him danger.  It wasn't fair to him.

"It's not fair for you"

"Are we seriously arguing about this again?"  With a roll of his eyes.

"Why is it I'm more worried about your wellbeing than you are?!" 

"Because you've been there to save me every time!" 

There was no making sense to him.  He doesn't get it!  "You'll never be out of danger because of me! Not until Claude is did dead!"

"Then we kill him" Shrugging his shoulders like it was the most obvious answer.

"You think I haven't tried? Look at us.  Hiding in a cave"  

Damien fell back in annoyance, rolling off him.  Letting my feet hang off the ledge.  We fell into another silence.  Neither of us willing to talk anymore.  

I waited until he fell asleep to lie beside him.  Dawn was close.  I knew there was no way the sun could make it through the cave as I closed my eyes.

I needed to think of a better plan than just running.

Opening my eyes.  Damien changed into fresh dry clothes, sitting at the edge of of the rocks.  Drinking a bottle of water.  My eyes focused on his back.

Sensing me awake.  "Where are we off to next"

"I need to check the perimeter before we leave"  Changing into dry clothes while he kept his back to me.  Clearly still annoyed by our conversation last night.

"I'll be back" Standing beside him, leaping down without looking back to him.

The mist met my face as I neared the edge.  The loud rushing water making it hard to listen, all I could smell was the damp cave as I slid along the rocky ledge.  I couldn't see him, or pick up his scent.  I could see the bridge for tourist to my right.  Lamps lighting the path.  If I could get Damien and I there, we could find a town and hid for a while.

Damien stayed close as we walked briskly across the bridge.  Leading beside the gushing water.

"Once we enter the nearest town, we'll find somewhere to stay"

"Then after that?" He replied softly.  His warm hand finding mine.  The warmth filling me with peace.  

"We'll figure it out from there" Picking up our pace.  Passing a few people who were taking in the scenery.  Any other time in life, I'd be in awe of the location.  But I couldn't allow myself to enjoy the beautiful destination.  

***Author's note***

***Just a short filler chapter, hope you all are enjoying the book so far! Remember to vote and comment! Let me know what you all think so far, any thoughts?***