Shadow Rider (Vampire Academy Fanfic)

Chapter 31 - Thanatia

When everyone had cleared the stadium, Casimir walked over to me, pulling me into his embrace. We stood like that for several minutes, just savouring the contact, lucky to be alive and together.

'Natia...' he murmured, his voice smooth as silk. An apology glimmered in his sea-green eyes. 'I'm sorry.'

I shook my head. 'You've done nothing wrong.'

He didn't answer, and I tilted my head back to gauge his expression. He looked uncertain...pained even.

'I pushed you away,' he grumbled, taking his eyes off mine. 'We're a team, you and I. We shouldn't be apart.'

'You should tell Jenny that,' I muttered.

His eyes searched my face, trying to meet my gaze. 'I will. I promise.'

'Sounds good,' I said, smiling up at him.

He regarded me for a moment, an odd expression forming on his features. 'So...what's with you and Ash?'

I groaned, unrolling the sleeves of my sweatshirt. 'Nothing.'

He cocked an eyebrow. 'I wouldn't call it nothing.'

'Look, Cas, I don't know what his deal is.' I frowned. 'I think he's used to getting attention from women.'

Casimir's eyes gleamed with humour. 'He's chasing?'

This subject was so out of my comfort zone that I clamped my lips shut, not willing to say more. Casimir seemed to gauge that from my expression, and dropped the subject.

'I'll make sure we spend more time together,' he promised, before taking his leave. I watched his retreating form, his tall and slender body moving with unmatched grace. Being without him for weeks had formed a hole in my chest I hadn't even known had been there. I treasured having him back.

I shook myself and exited the stadium. Leaning against the wall outside, staring mutely at the ground, was Ash, a leather jacket draped over his grey workout clothes.

Well...shit. I hoped he hadn't overheard my conversation with Cas.

Ash's head snapped up, eyes churning with an emotion I couldn't discern.

'What's between us is nothing, huh?' His voice was harsh...demanding.

Crap. So he'd eavesdropped.

'Yes,' I said, struggling to keep my voice firm. 'That's right.'

His expression dark, he said, 'That's not the impression I got,' and in two strides he covered the space between us, grabbing my face with his big hands. He kissed me with a ferocity that frightened me, his hands sliding into my hair when he deepened the kiss. To my utter horror, I found myself kissing him back. His body pressed close to mine; I could practically feel his heart pounding in his chest.

A million questions surged into my head. Why was he doing this? And why was I doing this? When the shock abated, I tried to pull back, but he wouldn't release me. His tongue forced my mouth open.

I bit him, hard.

He pulled away from me with a start, his hand touching the blood pooling on his lip. He stared at me.

'I thought so,' he said throatily, looking triumphant.

I stepped away from him, throwing my hands up in sheer desperation. 'What do you want from me, Ash?'

'I want what you have with Casimir.' He considered, his eyes focusing on my lips. 'Plus what we just did.'

I shut my eyes, wanting to be a hundred miles away from here, where I could make sense of my thoughts in privacy.