Ronan

Chapter Fourteen

"Your name's Warner?"

Rosa couldn't put her finger on it, but something there wasn't sitting right. His name didn't sound natural on his lips—but then how often did she say her own name? Maybe hers would sound just as wrong. Maybe the last twenty-four hours were putting her on edge, making her overly paranoid.

Just calm down.

She needed the facts. The where, the what and the how. If she stood any chance at surviving in this world, then Rosa needed to play this smart.

She needed the agony tearing through her back to stop.

This man had pulled her out of the water. Thrashing amid her pain, she could've drowned if it weren't for him. That made him at least a little bit trust-worthy, right?

"Yes. My name's Warner."

She bit back the urge to ask him if he was sure.

"What are you doing out here?" She demanded, skuttling till her back hit a tree only to grimace immediately afterwards.

Tears singed the corners of her eyes.

"I could ask the same of you," Warner returned.

His beauty was intimidating to her. She'd only seen a handful of men in her entire life. None of them had looked like the one standing before her now.

"The timing seems a bit convenient, if you ask me."

So what? She was expected to believe he just so happened to be right in the middle of these woods at the exact time she came plummeting from the sky?

"I'd call it lucky. You need medical help."

"I'm immortal. I'll heal just fine."

"Really? I got a good look at your back whilst you were passed out. It doesn't look like it's healing well if you ask me."

Hellfire. The reminder burnt. Her back wasn't going to heal. It'd never be how it once was. Once the blood had dried, jagged long scars would mar it.

"I didn't ask you," She retorted bitterly. "Woman falls from the sky and you just so happen to be sitting around here waiting."

"You're not very trusting, are you?"

"I don't know you. You could be a savage murderer."

His lip quirked up, laughing at some joke she didn't understand.

"I'm not a savage."

"I—"

"And you falling from the sky just then was a shock to me."

"Then what are you doing here?"

"Didn't realise I have to answer to you."  Then their communication would have to end right there. Realising she wouldn't answer that, Warner sighed. "But if it'll make you feel better, I'm stargazing."

"Stargazing."

"Looking at big balls of light in the sky."

She glanced up. The gesture almost felt comical.

Beyond the trees, the sky above them was clear, blue, and starless.

"It's daytime. I don't see any stars."

Warner gestured towards his setup. An expensive looking telescope pointed to the sky just a few steps away from them.

"I was setting my gear up for later. Just as I was checking my lens, a woman fell from the sky."