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She was enchanting, even in sleep.
The longing was tangible, an ache deep in his bones. His hand twitched toward her, but he buried it under the pillow out of sight.
He closed his eyes and time slipped away, measured only by the soft rhythm of Ellie’s breaths beside him. He was just drifting off when a noise snapped him back to alertness. His eyes shot open, scanning the dark room for any sign of danger.
It was a soft thump outside the cabin. An animal, maybe, or?—
His gaze landed on Ellie who stirred in her sleep, her brow furrowing before smoothing out again.
She was safe.
For now.
His entire body was tense, strung like a bow ready to snap into action at the slightest hint of danger. Ellie deserved as much. She deserved a knight in shining armor - a champion. Maybe that’s what he was trying to be – her defender in this strange place.
Deciding he was done playing possum, Cal sat up and got out of bed. His eyes finally adjusted to the darkness, and he walked around the cabin inspecting each corner, each window. He knew the unease won’t let him rest again tonight.
The noise came again, followed by a soft rustling as if someone was moving stealthily in the night. His heartbeat quickened, all his senses on high alert. His hand crept to the side of the bed where he’d left his clothes neatly folded, fingers closing around the solid weight of the small pocketknife he always carried.
He slid from under the covers and moved toward the cabin’s flimsy door without making a sound, allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness. The fire had died down to embers but was enough for him to see vague shapes around the room. He tried to listen past his own heartbeat, every muscle in his body coiled and ready.
Taking a deep, grounding breath, he eased the door open, wincing as it creaked softly. A blanket of cold air washed over him as he stepped outside into the moonless night.
The commune was eerily silent, save for the occasional nocturnal rustling of leaves and chirping of crickets. He squinted into the shadows between cabins, trying to pick out any movement in the darkness.
Nothing.
He retreated back inside, only half convinced he was just being paranoid. Despite the restless energy humming under his skin, he laid back down. He listened to the crackling fire and the distant sounds of the night; his senses were on high alert. Every rustle of leaves, every creak of wood, singed his nerves, and he silently cursed their situation. They were trapped in a den of wolves, lying here vulnerable with no idea who was friend or foe.
His heart constricted at the thought of what could happen here, to both of them. Danger lurked around every corner of this place. He sensed it; it was in the air, a low buzzing undercurrent like the approach of a storm. It lay heavy on his chest with each breath he took.
A shadow flickered past the thin curtains covering the cabin’s only window and he sat up.
Someone was out there.
He slipped from the bed and pressed his body against the wall next to the door and waited, every nerve ending screaming in tensed anticipation.
The handle of the door twitched, and Cal’s grip tightened around the knife. He waited, every muscle in his body taut with anticipation. The handle moved again, a slow, deliberate turn.
He waited until the door was pushed open a crack. And then, he pounced. Grabbing the intruder by the collar, he slammed him back against the door frame.
“Who are you?” Cal demanded.
To his surprise, the man growled.
No, wait.
Not the man.
A dog.
He glanced down in shock at the mop of a dog. The ponytail of dreadlocks sprouting from its head was unmistakable.
“Razzy?”
Raszta stopped growling and gave a tentative tail wag.
Cal stepped back and pulled the hood off his attacker’s head.
