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Rhia’s face lights up. “Right. I’ve got it,” she says, excited.
I furrow my brows, waiting for her brilliant plan.
“Faint,” she orders.
“What?”
“Pretend to faint,” she repeats. “It’s bound to draw their attention to you and prevent a disaster.”
She’s right. And this will be by far the least dangerous option.
“Let’s move a little closer, so both of them can see you in their field of vision. Then make it dramatic,” Rhia instructs.
“I’m not an actress,” I hiss as we walk down the stairs of the cabin.
In my periphery, I catch sight of Santino straightening and scrutinizing our movements.
“You’ve got this, sweets,” she encourages.
Yeah right. It doesn’t feel like it, but I better get on with it instead of arguing.
When we’re about halfway between the men and the cabin, I sway on purpose, though my legs are kind of weak.
Holding onto a tree, I stop walking. With a dramatic moan, I clutch my stomach and lean forward, supporting myself on Rhia’s arm. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I close my eyes and sink to my knees.
“Ella,” Rhia shouts, her voice sounding panicked. She’s a much better actress than me. If I didn’t know better, I’d believe I was in grave danger.
She wraps her arms around me, huddling closer so that only I can hear.
“It’s working. Keep going.”
Right.
With my heart quivering in my chest, I shift my weight to one side and let myself fall to the ground. Crap, something hard, a stone or branch, is poking me right in the hip, but I can’t wiggle away or they’ll know I’m faking this.
“Ella,” Rhia screams this time, crouching down next to me, touching my body as if checking out what could be wrong with me.
I scrunch my eyes closed tighter.
Rustling of leaves and an array of voices fill the air. But they fade into the background, the sound of my breathing loud in my ears.
Then Rhia’s hands leave my body, replaced by a set of larger ones.
Tiero.
Even with my eyes closed, I know it’s him. I’d recognize his scent anywhere.
Plus, my body is on fire now, burning up with him so close. The blazing inferno heats me from head to toe, using the last bit of oxygen in my lungs. They ache for air.
“Ella… angel.” Tiero’s voice is frantic as he pats my body, searching for injuries.
My heart surges at the sound of my name on his lips, my blood whooshing through my veins.
“Let go of me, you brute.” Rhia’s muffled shouts reach me, and the temptation to check what’s happening is almost too much.
Where are they taking her? And why is Ade not by my side? I can’t make out his voice. Where is he?
Still, I keep my eyes shut, too afraid of what I’d see if I opened them.
