City of Fire

Chapter Thirty

"Ilona"

Ilona was never as happy as she was to leave the church behind. Brother Mitchell had understood about the damage, seeming to be just as perplexed as Adrian was about the demon but gave them a kind farewell. Tidus stood close to her, as if he were afraid of another attack, and Ilona smirked at him but said nothing.

Erin was busy fiddling with something, but kept it from their eyes. Adrian was exchanging a few more words with the head priest. Ilona's eyes trained towards the destroyed graveyard and shivers raced up her spine. She glanced over her shoulder and looked at Zane. The brisk, cold morning air washed over them, causing Ilona to tighten the coat around her. His own coat bellowed around him, his hair wavering over his eyes so that she couldn't see them. He was looking at the graveyard. He was still, his aura cold. Ilona wanted to reach out and take his hand, squeeze it. She reached out to do so but he turned his head. The wind picked up, biting into her skin and she halted, her eyes trained on his.

They were bitter and hard, as if he'd remembered something, something better left forgotten. He looked past her, his eyes trained on Adrian. The look was menacing, but after a moment it was gone. As if it had never been there. Ilona blinked, surprised, but Tidus touched her arm.

"Ilona, what's wrong? Are you cold?" He asked and she looked back over at him. He was standing close beside her, his chest brushing her arm and heat leapt along her skin. She cleared her throat, stepping away from him.

"No, I was just distracted." She looked at Adrian as he crossed to them.

"It's only a day's walk to the city," he adjusted his collar. "We should arrive by morning." He looked over at Zane. "Bring up the rear." With that they were off. Adrian started off, heading towards a long, winding road. Erin followed after and Tidus tugged on her arm, drawing her with him. She heard Zane behind her and she went to look over her shoulder at him but Tidus caught her attention.

"How are you feeling?" His words surprised her and she glanced up at him, wondering where his concern had come from.

"Fine, why?" It was a moment before he replied.

"It's just that, well," he hesitated and she waited, "well, you seem...off. What's wrong? Did something happen?" She stared at him.

"What do you mean? I'm fine," it was a lie and she knew it but it felt wrong to tell them about the voice inside her head. Tidus seemed to sense that she wasn't telling the truth.

"No, you're not," they came out onto a long stretch of road and kept walking, heading towards a mountain pass, "I heard you come back in last night. Where did you go?" She bristled at his question, feeling suddenly guarded.

"I just needed some air," she ignored the look he gave her and quickened her pace, a clear signal for him to stop pestering her but he stayed beside her.

"Come on, just tell me. What's wrong?" He kept looking at her like that and she glowered at him.

"Nothing," she snapped but he wouldn't let it drop.

"Tell me," he replied and she snapped her eyes up to him.

"Well, wouldn't you freak out if you were attacked by a demon?" She barked and turned her face sharply away from his, her arms pumping at her sides while they walked. "So of course I freaked and after what you told me, I needed to get some air." She left it at that but Tidus was persistent.