Ancient Darkness (On HOLD)

Chapter Thirty Eight

It became obvious the moment that Nathan's feet the ground that the arrow had done more damage than what he had let on.

In fact, the pain that Sang had experienced was the arrow's head protruding from his stomach and into her side.

It took all of her willpower not to scream as Nathan pulled himself away and set her down with an apology.

Forcing her tears away as her eyes searched the surrounding darkness, Sang was amazed that the Immortal stood resolutely in front of her without a complaint or change of expression.

"You're bleeding," He murmured, his fingers carefully raising her shirt. "I believe that Owen will hav my head for this."

She wanted to giggle hysterically but it was quickly chased away as bile tried to force its way up her throat. There was a protrusion coming from Nathan's stomach, his light blue shirt slowly starting to darken with blood.

"Oh my god," She breathed, heat flushing through her as she tried to remain calm. The sounds of pursuit were getting clearer with each passing second. "What do I need to do?"

He shook his head, "I won't be able to heal completely without feeding and there isn't anyone nearby. All that you can do is pull the arrow out. I can slow the bleeding and keep the hybrids off of us until the others are able to catch up."

Her fingers were trembling as she pressed them to her mouth, "We'll never survive. You said that hybrids were vicious and if the arrow has done damage to the nerves in your spine..."

"We have no choice," He answered harshly, "I am not willing to leave you behind which means that I need to be able to defend you."

She gagged as he suddenly lifted his shirt and snapped the arrow head off, the shaft obviously stabbing through his lower abdomen. "Nathan..." She took a sharp breath through her nose as he shook his head and turned away from her.

"You must pull it cleanly," He instructed, his tone hard and resolute. "The hybrids will be within range momentarily. Do it quickly."

"I don't...I don't think..."

"Now, Sang!"

Turning her face to the side, she grabbed the very end of the wooden shaft, braced her feet and pulled back with all her strength. The sound was wet and made every fibre of her being shudder in revulsion a long with the feel of warm, sticky blood cascading across her hands.

He never moved and no sound passed his lips but she was able to sense the agony ripping through his body.

"There's blood everywhere, Nathan. You can't face them like this."

"I must," He turned back and she noticed the vagueness in his eyes. "I will place you in one of the trees, it will provide some small defence since hybrids can only climb as well as humans."

Sang wanted to wipe away the sweat on her face but she was acutely aware of the way that his blood dripped from her fingers as she dropped the arrow to the ground.

"You need to feed. Take my blood," She blurted, scared that they were wasting so much time and the stain from his stomach was slowly spreading down the front of his pants.

His head dropped back slightly, "I cannot."

"You have to. We both know that you'll need to be at full strength and I'm the only one around who can feed you."

"Owen will not..."

"Owen is not here at the moment and the hybrids are going to be here any second," She thrust her wrist under his nose. "Bite me."

He grabbed her forearm and drew it down, cradling her skin gently, "Sang..."

"Shut up! Just do it," She sobbed.

His eyes stayed on her own as he nodded slowly, "Very well. It will hurt as my teeth pierce the skin."

She shuddered, closing her eyes tightly as he hugged her. It would have been warm and pleasant if not for the fact that her side was stinging relentlessly and both of their bloods soaked through her clothes.

Somehow, she was able to sense how slowly he lowered his mouth to her neck. His breath was hot in contrast to the chilly wind.

"Să fie ușor o, mic. Nu te va durea," He crooned before she felt the heat of white lightening detonate through her body as he bit down.

Time seemed to stop as his teeth withdrew and his lips created a seal around the deep wound. It flowed into his mouth, burning his tongue with an incredible spice that he had never before experienced, an exotic flavour which he was sure held more power than any other nourishment before it.

Although he was blinded by the pleasure of her blood and her feminine body pressed against his own, he carefully pushed his energy where it needed to go. Cells began to works overtime had his jagged skin healed and the pain lessened until it was nothing but a memory.

"Nathan," He heard her voice whisper next to his cheek as her legs slowly gave out. The fingers which she had clenched in his shirt dropped away as her strength fled under the force of his need. "I can hear them now. Nathan."

His tongue scrapped over the holes in her neck a second before he exploded into the air. She was securely laid out amongst the highest branches, her eyes listless as she watched the moon and stars shine from overhead.

Lips pressed gently to her forehead, "Thank you. Stay up here and call for me if you have a need to."

"Don't die," She slurred, wincing as he pressed a palm over her own wound. It flared until she was able to sigh in relief, the pain petering out.

"I will return for you but you must not draw attention to yourself..."

His voice was cut off by a sudden shriek from below them, its echo never dying as others joined in.

"Stay here," Nathan growled before he was gone and the sounds of battle and death filled the air.