Venom (Book I) ✓

Chapter Six

"Wait." Ruby choked, taking half a step forward. He was gone. He couldn't hear her.

She didn't care that he was gone. She shouldn't  care. She hadn't even known him a full day. He was rude and quiet and closed off. He couldn't even be called a friend. But he said he would protect her. He promised he would protect her. So damn it, he would protect her.

Before she could even consider the risks or logic associated with chasing him, she was running. Branches tore at her face and cloak, and a terrible sense of déjà vu threatened to overwhelm her. This time, though, she wasn't afraid. She pushed away the heavy, sickening memories and reminded herself that this time was different. This time she had a purpose. A purpose that pulled her forward through the trees, toward something. Not a purpose behind her, pushing her away from some unknown horror.

This time she wasn't a clumsy child stumbling and bleeding and praying for survival. Now she was practically an adult, all grown up, out of her awkward phases, and determined to reach her goal.

"Ulric!" She cried as she ran, heart pounding through her head, "Wait!"

His retreating back bobbed into view and she pressed herself harder, adrenaline thrumming through her limbs. Soon it became apparent that she would win this race, and she huffed in triumph, unable to muster anything more vocal.

Ulric glanced back and once more a shaft of light glinted across his face. His terrible, beautiful face was illuminated, the glint of fangs peeking out of the corner of his mouth, the subtle scarring creating designs and patterns on his cheeks and forehead, his unnaturally green eyes glowing, almost painful to look at in daylight. When he caught sight of her, he bared his teeth, those stunning eyes darkening dangerously.

"Go back." He growled, his voice a low warning.

"Wait." She gasped, "Please."

He slowed gradually to a stop and rounded on her, his entire body radiating fury like waves of heat. "You're a fool for following me. You'll never survive out here. Never."

"I know." She hissed, drawing herself up, though she still only reached his shoulder at her full height. Blood glistened on her cheeks, seeping from the hundreds of shallow cuts that lined her delicate skin, and fire burned in her eyes. "I know I won't survive. Not alone."

"So what? You've come to kill me? Hunt down the freak, display his head to ward of the scary spirits and monsters?" He growled, taking a step toward her.

She held her ground, though her face gave way to a look of shock, "What? No!"

"Go on, draw your little sword, cut me up. I know you're dying to."

"Ulric, stop!" She cried, a hand flying to her chest. "You made me a promise back there." She added, her voice relaxing, though her eyes still burned as they held his gaze. "You said you'd keep me alive. I will not accept you running off like this. I expect you to stay true to your word."

He opened his mouth, an angry retort ready on his tongue. Then, he wilted. She was coughing violently, and when she straightened, she turned to the side to spit out a mouthful of blood. She scowled at it for a moment before wiping her hand across her lips in an effort to clean away any of the scarlet substance that still clung there.