Little Red

Chapter 45

I wake with a jolt and shoot up in bed.

Beside me, Demitri stirs from sleep.

"It's time."  I announce, swiftly getting out of bed to put on my suit.

A grip on my wrist halts me.

"Wait.  What's going on?"  Demitri asks groggily, now sitting up in bed.  His blue eyes flash with concern.

"It's time."  I repeat urgently, eager to take advantage of every second we have.

Rule #2:  Use every advantage presented to you.

He levels me with a calculating look, but only nods and let's me finish getting ready.

As I fasten my blood red cloak, I hear him rustling around behind me as he gets dressed too.

I'm halfway to the door before a gentle call of my name makes me pause.

"Don't forget this, love."  His sleepy voice says, and he places my forgotten comm unit into the palm of my hand.  

I gaze up at him thankfully.

"And this."  He murmurs, before planting a deep kiss on my lips.  The battle is momentarily forgotten as I let myself enjoy this moment.  He kisses me as though it's the last time we'll ever get to do so, and for all I know that could be true.  But I don't let that thought linger as his last kiss is seared onto my heart.

He pulls back quicker than I would like, and stares into my eyes with a serious gaze in those electric blues.  

"Go get'em, tiger."  He whispers, and I hear his warning for me to be safe beneath the joking phrase.

"I will.  I love you."  I tell him, meaning every word.  

"And I, you."  He says, then he gently pushes me out of the doorway.

I jam the comm into my ear, and hastily call for the others.

3 voices greet me in return, and I feel my adrenaline levels spike.

"I'm heading to my location,"  I state as I race down the stairs.  

"Me too!"  A chirppy Cara calls.

"Me three!"  Replies Myles, and I can already hear the wind from his end as he runs.

"Me four!"  Theo booms in his natural, childlike way.

I allow a small smile as I bolt off into the night.  The forest blurs past as I run, focused on making it to the southern point.  Eventually, I take to the trees incase something lurking around picks up my scent and tries to give me trouble.  While I would appreciate the challenge, I'm not exactly looking for a fight so soon in the night.  

Goddess knows there will be plenty of fighting later.   

I take a few moments to ponder over my most recent dream while I hop from branch to branch.  The Moon said tonight holds an end and a beginning.  I'm not sure what that means, but I know that I can do this. 

Soon, I spot the tree I scouted out earlier today.  It's taller than those surrounding it, and the perfect vantage point to see the southern border.  I climb it's tall branches swiftly, until I can see far into the night.  Once I find a hidden spot that still allows visibility, I settle into a crouch. 

Then, I close my eyes and listen.

I hear the wind moving through the trees, the noises of small nocturnal animals scurrying on the forest floor, and the world sounds at peace.

But I know what's to come.

A sudden sound in my ear snaps me back to attention.

"I'm in position."  Theo's voice comes.