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He used my desperation against me, and it was nearly my downfall. I was to be taught a lesson by a supposed new client, but it was Rocco setting me up. When someone pays for your time like that, they think they own you. Rocco wanted me to think he was the good guy. He hired someone to prove his point, and it almost got me killed. It’s how I ended up homeless. Because I preferred to live on the streets than have Rocco be my future.
“Let’s just say he was a horrible man with even worse friends. Comparable to the monsters here,” I add, shifting my jaw, not wanting to get into more detail with Tristan’s sullen expression.
Tristan eases back, looking at me more clearly. “I can only imagine. I’m sorry you found yourself in that position. I hate that life has been hard on both of us.” He doesn’t ask for more details, which I appreciate. I’m not sure I’m ready to have this kind of conversation with him.
I shrug my shoulders. “You seem to be worse off, though. I mean, look at you. You nearly died. Now you’re stuck here with me as your babysitter.”
His face lights up with another smile, and he raises his arms a bit, wincing in pain but not letting it stop him from touching my cheek and pulling me closer. “I’m the lucky one. You have no idea.”
I can’t stop myself from closing the space completely to mold my lips to his, kissing him softly, sweetly, and just enjoying his closeness and how open we both are in this moment.
“I think I do. Because I feel it too. I have gone from no one and nothing to having people risk their lives for me. No one has ever cared about me like this, asking for nothing in exchange,” I murmur against his mouth.
“It’s only going to get better from here. It has to. We’re going to get through this. Together.” His fingers slide into my hair, and he draws me closer, kissing me deeper and sliding his tongue into my mouth.
I hum my agreement, gliding my tongue over his, tasting the sweet fruit flavor on his lips. Being so close to Tristan, all open and honest, allows me to relax and have a moment to just take everything in. My legs tangle through his, and he fills me with something indescribable. Hope, maybe. I can’t be certain. It’s been so long since I’ve had any.
We are so wrapped up in each other that it takes Davian coughing to remind me that we aren’t alone. I ease away from Tristan, worry suddenly gripping me. I shift over and look at Davian across the cave. He meets me with his eyes, and they flash like an animal’s.
A deep growl escapes his mouth, and he scowls, baring his teeth. I search over his body, expecting to see his skin rippling, but he still looks like a man. He doesn’t shift nor does his body break on him. Bolting upright, he plants his hands to the floor and pushes to his knees. Davian growls again, whipping his attention at me.
“Davian, please. You need to rest. Don’t get up. I can get you whatever you need.” I pull myself away from Tristan and get to my feet. “Are you hungry? Thirsty? Cold?”
Davian doesn’t respond with words. He growls again.
“What the fuck is wrong with him?” Tristan asks, groaning as he sits upright.
“He was bitten.” My voice cracks with the words.
I don’t get a chance to explain anything, because Davian screams. His voice pierces the air and he startles me.
Tristan pushes to get to his feet and locks his hand around me. He moves me behind him protectively. It should be me protecting him. He was the one who was stabbed, after all. But I really doubt he’s going to allow me as much.
So, I make him.
Sliding around him, I step a foot away and closer to Davian. I raise my hands in caution, trying not to panic as Davian screams at me again.
“Hey, take a deep breath. I know you’re experiencing a lot of agony, but you’re going to get through this.” My voice quivers with my words. I feel like a liar. I feel like I’m giving hope where there shouldn’t be any. I don’t know whether or not he’s going to get through it.
“I hear voices. They’re gathering nearby.” Davian smacks his hands over his ears. “They’re fucking with me. Getting into my head.”
My heart aches. I wish there was something I could do. Kellan didn’t tell me about this part. He only warned me about the possibility of Davian’s body rejecting his transformation. If that happens, he’ll start shifting into a wolf and never complete the transition. We’ll only know for certain with the full moon that will either bless him with life or finish him off unless we do it first. That’s what happened with the others. That’s why it was so fucked up that they had been bitten so soon. They would have remained in that half state until the full moon. I couldn’t even imagine. That’s utter torture and should be criminal. But the laws here are incomprehensible. Not like we have in civilization. This island is intended for the wild.
“I’ll find Kellan. He shouldn’t be too far.” I shift on my feet and swivel to look at Tristan. “I need you to stay here. Make sure he doesn’t hurt himself.”
Tristan grimaces. “I don’t think so, Eliana. I’m not letting you go out there alone. You stay here. I will see what I can do.”
I open my mouth to argue, but Davian surprises us by hopping to his feet. He gives neither of us a chance to try to stop him before he charges toward the mouth of the cave.
And fuck. He’s fast. I don’t know if that’s his normal speed or what, but this is going to be one hell of a time trying to get him. Because I’m not losing him. Not like this.
Tristan grabs my hand, as if he reads my thoughts, and he drags me with him until my feet and brain decide to team up and work together for once. If the forest wasn’t so thick with overgrowth, Davian would already be gone. It’s our luck that he trips over some tree roots sticking out from the ground.
He stumbles, pushing to his feet. I rip my hand away from Tristan and lunge forward. This might be a huge mistake, but I don’t know what else to do.
I launch from the ground and onto Davian, tackling him. He crashes back to the dirt. I straddle him from behind, shoving all my weight against his body in attempt to keep him down. The bastard gets to his knees, and I screech and yank his hair, nearly losing my balance as he makes me ride him like a damn horse. But I refuse to let go. If I let go, he will start running again.
“Eliana! Grab his throat. Punch him. Wind him,” Tristan calls from behind me.
