The Quadrants

Chapter 15

"He was right here," said Titus. On wobbly legs, he walked out a few paces to the sun-chairs where they had recently been sitting, and then he watched as Eve rushed past him into the yard.

"Rohan," she cried out, standing on her toes, attempting to see over the car bodies lying in the long grass.

"Looks like that answers our question," said Dante. "They weren't here for us, they came for the boy."

Eve ran further into the grass. "Rohan," she called again, hurrying this way and that, repeating his name a few more times. Pausing, she turned to look at the men, pleading with her eyes for help, before continuing with her search.

Although he still felt groggy, Titus wandered slowly out from under the veranda. He followed Eve until she disappeared behind one of the rusted-out cars. It was clear to Titus that Rohan was gone, but obviously not yet to her. He moved along the barely visible path, overgrown by weeds, and a few moments later Eve reappeared around the back of an old van. She was in such a panic, looking all around, that she proceeded to run straight into the front of him.

"Hey, calm down!" Titus said, taking her by the shoulders, frowning at her. "He's gone." Normally he liked it when she was riled up, but now, to his surprise, all he wanted to do was comfort her. "It's ok."

"It's not ok. Let go of me! Get out of my way!" Eve ordered. She shoved his hands off her, glaring up at him. She was about to rush away again when Titus grabbed her by the wrist. "Hey!" She swung around, her eyes fiery. Without pause, Eve stepped forwards and shoved him in the chest with her free hand, but it had little effect. "Aren't you going to do something?" she growled.

"He's not here, Lawson," said Titus as she pulled hard at her captured hand and punched at his arm to free herself. "Stop it." But she wouldn't stop. Titus still couldn't think straight, and was slow to react as she pinched and scratched at his skin. "Eve, please."

Then, all at once she paused her attack and looked up at him, eyes wide, pale blue. Was she surprised he had used her first name? Titus wondered. He had never called her that before, but he liked the way it had felt to say it aloud. While Titus pondered this, his mind still sluggish from his recent ordeal, Eve lowered her gaze, and a moment later her foot swung through and connected with his shin.

"Aaagh!" He growled, clenching his teeth until the initial wave of pain had passed. But still, he held her wrist firm. "Just come into the house," Titus said impatiently then. He tugged at her arm and turned to lead her forcibly down the path. Other trackers might still be around, for all they knew, and he didn't think he could react quickly enough to defend them both in his current state.

"Let me go!" Eve resisted, digging in her heals. Again, she pulled and twisted her arm. "Let go of me!" she demanded, and again, she dug her nails into his flesh.

Titus turned on her. "Stop it!" he snapped, then took hold of her other wrist too. He had gone out there to reassure her that his relatives would come up with a plan to find Rohan, but she had barely given him the chance to speak, and he still wasn't feeling right.

Suddenly, Eve stopped fighting him and became calm once more. Titus was relieved, his head was pounding, but he kept her at arm's length just in case she decided to kick him again. She gazed up at him, her pale eyes drawing him in. "Eve, look..." he began, more patiently this time, although now he couldn't recall exactly what he had been going to say. He watched as Eve bit the corner of her bottom lip, and then her eyes moved down to his chest and she stared blankly. With both of her captured hands angled at him, Eve shot out a burst of air before another moment passed.

It sent Titus flying backwards, landing several feet down the path on his buttocks. His grip had remained tight on Eve's wrists, however, and the jolt wrenched her off her own feet, too. She came down on her hands and knees, embarrassingly intertwined with Titus. But now free, she hurriedly got to her feet and took some steps back from him, sheepishly dusting herself off. Titus sat, momentarily confused, until it finally sank in what she had just done.

"Was that necessary?" he asked tersely, red-faced at having been knocked down in front of his relatives—he knew they were watching—and by such a small girl.

"Are you ok, precious?" Aurelius called out. Titus could hear the men laughing from the doorway of the house. "Do you need a hand getting up?"

Titus glanced in their direction, then back at Eve, who stood offering out her hand to him. He scowled and swatted it away. Standing up on his own, he turned his back on her and headed across the yard.

"How's your arse, sweetie?" Aurelius teased, cackling at his nephew.

"Shut up!" Titus grumbled, moving stiffly past Dante and his uncles into the house.

Eve followed, but didn't go inside. Titus watched as she stood in the doorway, looking in at them. "So, is someone going to tell me? Where's Rohan?"