Chapter 11
Rami's POV
She thinks she won.
Not that I gave her any reason to believe I wasn’t listening or absorbing what she was reading.
The satisfied glint to Grandma Julia’s eyes made my skin pebble with unease. That almost giddy twist to her mouth was like she knew how she was sealing my fate. Or more likely cleansing my soul of my wickedness.
But the perk of her thinking that I’ve caved to her wishes is that afterwards, she left me in peace. An hour ago she wished me goodnight from my bedroom doorway. I was lying on my bed and reading my newest fantasy novel I picked up at the library. With my boot removed, I had my ankle elevated and wrapped in frozen corn this time.
I hadn’t requested a single painkiller all day; even though she offered ibuprofen a few times when I would wince if I steppeddown wrong. Pride bloomed in her gaze each time I turned it down, thinking she was watching me fight an addiction I don’t have. What she doesn’t know is that I have a high pain tolerance, so I rarely take any medication. The frozen vegetables are my way to get rid of the last of the dull throb that won’t seem to go away.
I am the definition of done for the night.
But there’s still much to do
Sitting upright on the edge of my bed, I listen to Grandma Julia finish puttering around the house as she finishes her evening routine. My eyes stare through the darkened window at the copse of trees behind the house. The only thing that got me through this awful day was Adriel’s face. And now I need to see him. It’d be as simple as removing the screen and hopping out the window.
I glance down at my sock feet, twisting the injured joint back and forth. The trek won’t be an easy one. I know I should stay and rest, but there’s something that’s drawing me to him. Something telling me that I need to see him; get to know him. My hands grip tightly onto my necklace, and I know with every cell of my being that I need to go to him.
Holding my breath, I listen to the silent house around me; staring at the door. I don’t know if it’s Grandma Julia’s pride that makes her assume I’ll do what she asks of me or ignorance that I won’t escape. She knows I can’t stay away long; I have no money. So, that pride isn’t ill earned.
Determination filters through my veins, and I slip my feet into my hiking boots and tighten up the laces to provide some semblance of support on the injured bone. I throw my book bag, filled with basic supplies, across my back and carefully open my window. The screen comes out easily enough, and I slide it under my bed where it won’t be spotted or damaged. Leading with my uninjured foot, I land quietly before closing my window back.
My eyes take in the night around me. No light comes from any of the houses, including the one I just escaped from. Taking a deep breath, I allow the call of the nocturnal world around me to ease that broken piece of my soul.
I take my first hesitant step on my fractured ankle and brace myself for the pain I know will be there. It’s not as bad as I thought it’d be. So, I limp my way around the shadows until I’m deep enough in the woods that I can’t see the houses and they won’t be able to see me.
Retrieving the small battery-powered lantern from my bag, I hold it up and take in my surroundings. The breeze billows through the flannel button-up that hangs open over my torso, slaking off some of the stifling summer heat. Leaves rustle in the distance, sending shivers down my spine.
Thankfully, there haven’t been any bear sightings around here ever. Coyotes are a different story, but I’m big enough that I think they’d leave me alone.
Tightening the straps on my bag and with my phone in hand, I follow the map app through the woods. I flagged a spot I assumed was close to where I met Adriel. I can update it once I find it again.
The breeze blows again, pushing my blonde hair in my face and continually blocking my view. I twist it into a bun on top of my head, so messy the 90s would be proud, and continue my trek.
I have to backtrack a few times when I reach impassable rocks or trees. Especially with my ankle, climbing is out of the question, which requires me to walk around the obstacles to find the easier paths. This trek ends up taking me nearly an hour before I hear the gurgle of a small creek.
Excitement picks up my pace, only making me slip once.
I stumble ungracefully into the small clearing and nearly swallow my tongue as I take in the sight of a shirtless Adriel.He’s hunched in the field of flowers, fingers buried in the dirt. The moonlight illuminates the tattoos, similar to the ones on his hands, covering his torso. A mix of sigils, lines, and stars create an alluring map across his body.
My fingers rub together, itching to trace each of those markings with my fingers and then maybe my tongue.
When he sits back on his heels and wipes the sweat from his brow, I take a tentative step forward.
“Adriel,” I whisper.
Chapter 12
Adriel's POV
Tonight is a lovely night, albeit a touch warm. But the sound of the forest around me—the gentle hum of the cicadas high in the trees blended with the songs of the bullfrogs down by the stream—feels right, as if the creatures are at ease.. Which, of course, relaxes me along with them.
As soon as I emerged from my home, my eyes fell on the spot I found Rami in last night. And the spot I said goodbye to him. My shoulders rounded when I realized he wasn’t there. Even now, nearly two hours after the sun set, my eyes still continue to wander to that spot. Perhaps if I think about him enough, he’ll manifest.
What is it about this mortal that has me begging for more?
