Burning Souls (F.T Sequel)

Twenty-Seven

I sigh with content when my head breaks through the ice-cold water and cold air hits my naked skin. I take in a deep breath and run my palms over the midnight blue surface, enjoying the feel of the tiny ripples underneath my fingertips. The cold doesn't match that of my half-vampire skin, and I dive under once again, before coming back up with my hair plastered to my back.

We're taking away your human cells. You'll be left as a vampire, which will make controlling you that much easier.

Gabriel's haunting voice echoes in my head and I let my eyes rest on the tall, dark and imposing barricade of trees that circles all around the small lake, naively shielding me from the outside worlds' dangers. Keeping me in a tight, little bubble where silence is my only other companion. Or so I thought. A sudden wash of fear paralyses me when I notice the area where I'd laid my clothes has been completely cleared.

"You really shouldn't bathe naked Em," I spin around and my eyes narrow when I spot Hunter leaning against a tree trunk, mischievously spinning my bra around his finger. "It's extremely tempting." Although I'm concealed by the water, vulnerability fills me as he scans my face. I cross my arms over my chest under water and level my glare at him. He's dressed in a simple tee-shirt and dark jeans, and his midnight hair is effortlessly tousled, a few strands falling over his eyes. "When did you last get a haircut?" I ask randomly, noticing that he pouts at my lack of response to his teasing.

"You mean before or after we started running from a group of maniacal Elites, lead by a psychopathic arsehole?"

"Put those down and turn around Hunter," I warn, changing the subject and raising an eyebrow when he flashes me a huge grin. "I mean it." He sighs playfully and begins to crouch down to assemble my clothes on the ground, but suddenly, he freezes. My senses spike in alert and that's when I hear it too. The crunching of leaves. Hunter's gaze falls on me before his survival instincts kick in. He sets into a lighting-speed sprint and dives into the lake surprisingly soundlessly, creating a wave of ripples around him. Before I can react I feel a pair of strong, muscular arms encircle my waist, and then I'm pulled under. I scream against the water but then a finger presses against my lips. I struggle to open my eyes but when I do, Hunter's are wide and he's shaking his head. Stay still. His mouth forms the words, but I pound my fists against his chest when he keeps me restrained against him. I'm only half-vampire. At some point, although longer than humans, I won't be able to breathe anymore. I point a finger up at my neck, and he understands immediately. I see his lips form a curse, and then he looks up towards the surface of the water. The tension of his body against mine suddenly eases, and then we're going upwards again. As we break free I take in a huge mouthful of air, relief filling me as clean oxygen floods my lungs. I squeal when Hunter flings me around him, hiding me behind his broad back. I frown at the back of his tee-shirt, but then I lose that expression when my eyes immediately take great interest in following the trails of rippling muscle, visible underneath the tee-shirt that's completely plastered to his oh-so-beautiful back.

"Am I interrupting something?" a familiar voice asks, and I can hear amusement lacing his tone. I peek my head to the side of Hunter's back, still concealing myself under the water. I wave awkwardly at Dominic who flashes me an award-winning smile. Hunter doesn't reply but merely keeps glaring at his Maker with annoyance plastered all over his face. "Aw, don't look at me like that," Dominic teases lightly, "I gave you an excuse to get in the water with her." I start coughing violently and Hunter looks at me quizzically, seemingly oblivious to the present awkwardness.

"Sooo..." I begin, "Where's Julia?" Dominic's grin falls for a second, but before I can place why it's back up again, brighter than ever.

"She insisted on scouring out the base's perimeter again, but I'm sure she just can't handle being in the presence of my incredible hotness." I scoff at his arrogance. Five silent seconds pass during which none of us says anything.