Between worlds

Chapter 16: Unlikely Allies

Ailiyah gasped breathing in and out painfully her hand poised above the man that had killed Alayna her knife glinting in the moonlight. She glanced at Amaros stone cold black eyes. They showed no mercy. Neither should she. She raised her knife but the dream changed before she could finish the blow. It was that night a year ago after the Silvestia mission. Amaro and herself were cramped in a very small closet together while the guards rumbled past. They were both trying not to make a sound. She glanced up at Amaro those gorgeous eyes of his sparking with something she couldn't read. Then he leaned in. But before the kiss could happen the dream changed once more. Instead of looking at Amaro she was looking at Derek. She blinked In confusion then suddenly she woke up.

She was back in the clearing tied to that very same rock she had been before. She heard voices to her right and perked up trying to listen but only hearing snippets. Hostage....alive.....kill...test....home.....danger.....value.. After a while she gave up and slowly slid one of her very last knives from its hidden compartment in the sole of her boot. She slowly started cutting the rope analyzing the knot. She COULD untie it. But it would take to long. The voices grew closer as the last bit of rope snapped. She turned and saw her three captors staring at her and at the severed bit of rope in her hand. She made eye contact with Kanden and shrugged. His lip twitched into a smirk.

The newest of her captors pushed Kanden and Kalenra aside. And narrowed his eyes at her opening his mouth to say something. "Sorry cant talk got to you know escape and all now bye bye.". She said quickly then closing her eyes she shadow traveled. Ouch. That did not turn out..... For some reason she could not for the life of her shadow travel more than a few feet in this strange land. She winced then realized where she was. Barely five feet behind the K squad. She froze looking at them glancing where she just was.

She couldn't...make...a..sound.. She slowly stepped back. And CRACK. A fallen twig snapped under her foot. They swiveled behind and she winced. There was no time for bravado she turned tail and ran.

Kanden didnt even wait for orders he sprinted after her. Wow she was fast but he knew he was faster he tore after her. He was so close his fingers could almost touch her back.

Suddenly she stopped and he rammed into her. They tumbled to the ground and in seconds he was on top of her. He smiled and opened his mouth to say something but suddenly Ailiyah slowly shook her head her lips tight. He frowned and looked about them saw... Oh ratrolon. He swore releasing Ailiyah.

They were in a small clearing with a cliff at the edge and completely surrounding them was a herd of wolf like red and brown creatures staring at them both. Kanden gulped biting his lip then turned to Ailiyah. "I swear if we get out of this I'm going to put an iron collar around your neck.". Without turning to him she nodded. "And I swear I will get out of that collar and kick your butt to next week.".

He let out a chuckle as the beasts drew nearer. "Since were going to die do you mind telling me your name and why we're here?"

She rolled her shoulders. "I will if you stop being an increasingly annoying idiot.".

"Aww you like it."

"I just met you!! And you held me captive!"

"How bout you talk about your overwhelming feelings toward me AFTER we get out of this?". Kanden suggested.

"You wish." Ailiyah said as she drew out her last knife.

And one of the beasts jumped toward her.

Immediately she went into action whirling about with the grace of a tiger. Glancing at Kanden she could see he wasn't doing to bad either. After a while they were moving as a team almost like she did with Amaro. Ailiyah thought as she swiveled to Kandens back her knife slicing down on a beast that had been far to close to comfort. After a while the onslaught died down and Ailiyah began to relax. Finally the last of the beasts retreated and Ailiyah collapsed to her knees.

Kanden crumpled down beside her breathing heavy. "You know for an insane person your not to bad." He coughed.

"And for a crazy kidnapper your not that bad either....oh wait my bad your still a terrible person." She wheezed. He laughed closing his eyes.

Suddenly the bushes rustled to their right. They both froze when suddenly Kenmen and Kalenra made it into the clearing. For some reason this whole situation stuck home with Ailiyah and she burst out laughing. Kanden joined her in seconds. Kalenra and Kenmen exchanged glances and frowned at each other. Shakily Ailiyah got to her feet putting her hands out placating in front of her. "look I think we all got off on the wrong foot so let me just say...bye." She darted toward the cliff and jumped out into open air free falling toward the ground.

As she neared the ground she closed her eyes and concentrated willing herself to shadow travel to the top of the nearest tree. She felt the tug in her stomach and gasped finding herself clinging to the top of a tree. She groaned holding her stomach then glanced at her previous captors seeing different looks in thier eyes.

Kalenras had anger blaring in them. Kandens showed a mixture of disappointment and longing...and Kenmen. He mostly showed curiosity. That and excitement.

She frowned tilting her head. Kanden called out to her. "Hey ailiyah, anytime you feel like getting kidnapped you'll come to me right?".

"Oh assuredly although I wish you would have done it a bit better.". Ailiyah yelled and Kanden chuckled.

"You wont have to Wait to long to see her again Kanden.". Kenmen said just loud enough for Ailiyah to hear. Ailiyah frowned watching Kenmen as he turned disappearing back into the forest. With that she nodded once at Kanden then she shadow traveled down the tree and hit the ground running.