Calypso Initiate

Chapter Thirteen

Something cold and damp brushes against my cheek. I crack my lids open only to be welcomed by swaying shadows etched in the chilly dimness of the forest. Faint light dances with every stir of the wind, and the shadows flicker along with the orange glow. The air smells of smoke as it carries the sound of crackling fire. I turn my head towards the light, confused. I see a campfire blazing gloriously in the dark.

I must have fainted, or fallen asleep. How long have I been out?

The damp thing touches my face again and cool liquid trickles down my cheeks. I feel the weight of someone's arm over me. A warm body is pressed against my side, my head resting over the other arm. I bring my hand to my face, taking grasp of someone's wrist. I look up to meet a pair of gray eyes. They gaze down on me with the kind of gentleness I've never seen in them before and I stare back at them questioningly.

"Your heart stopped twice," Vincent says.

There's a struggle on his face as he says it, almost as if he's reliving the whole thing. His tone carries a hint of pain and helplessness. And maybe it's because he's someone from home, but seeing him this way makes my heart ache. I reach for him. His face softens as he takes my hand, pressing my palm on the side of his cheek. I catch a glimpse of a dark cotton ball wedged between his fingers. The dark color must be blood. My blood.

He must have been so scared. I know I would've been if it were the other way around. And despite how tough he looks, I still see the same frail boy in the garage, mourning for his mother's death.

"Well it's beating again, thanks to you," I tell him, my voice still hoarse and weak. I'm no longer hurt, but I feel like I haven't had food in days. "I was pretty sure I wouldn't make it."

He caresses the back of my hand with his thumb, and my skin tingles. There's a spark of emotion in his eyes, but I couldn't define what it is. Something is different about him. Something new. I just can't put my finger on it.

"When I got back I thought you were dead," he says. "You were barely breathing. Your body was ice cold. I had to revive you twice, use up all the heal patch to stop the internal bleeding."

His eyes hold mine. It never occurred to me until now but he has extraordinary eyes. Brilliant chips of gray like silver lightning. I swallow the dryness in my mouth.

"Good thing it worked," I say, trying my best to stay composed.

"Prudence," he whispers. The velvet murmur of his voice runs through me. Has he always sounded like that? He has never called me by my first name before. Why is he starting now?

"For a moment I really thought I lost you."

I slip my hand off his face and look away, unsure of how to respond. But he catches my chin with his fingers. His touch feels warm to my skin, sending shivers moving up and down my body. I look up to him, his eyes gazing softly back at me and my heart swells with a strange feeling.

My thoughts dissolve into a blur. An unfamiliar longing blossoms inside my chest. He draws me closer to him until I can feel the warmth of his breath on my face.

"What are you doing?" I manage to say but my voice feels caught in my throat.

His gaze is like a soft touch, but it bores into me with wordless intensity. He leans closer, hand sliding to the back of my neck, and I brace myself. I must have flinched because he pauses. I feel his lips stretch into a smile. He holds his face near mine for a moment, but then his warmth leaves me as he pulls away.

I sit up without thinking. I turn my back on him, hugging myself as though it helps quell the heat coursing through my body. He shifts behind me, and I feel him get up, but I fight the urge to look over my shoulder.