bChapter /bb176 /b

    Cassian

    ra’s pale and wless skin contrasts sharply with the ck strands that frame her face. Her body is naked under the sheet, and although she clings tightly to it in her sleep, I can perfectly recall every curve and line that shapes her figure. I run my knuckles along her shoulder, listening to her steady and heavy breathing as I drink in her image, engraving her serene and soft face into my retinas. I hope it will be enough to endure my time away from her. I have to head to the Blood Lake, the journey will still take time even with my speed, and I’d like to be bback /bas soon as possible. That’s not counting potentialplications, like a fight. Nothing would please me more than spilling the blood of bthat /bbastard rebel Diluido leader, but I don’t want to dy, and his death cannot be slow.

    A small sigh escapes her lips. I get closer to her, brushing my lips against the crown of her head, leaving a kiss on it. It’s harder for me to walk away from her than I’d like to admit. I’ve never been amitted man or a generous lover. Now I find myself reduced to a poor devil who would give up the whole side of his bed just to make her a little morefortable. If the Cassian of the past saw me, he’dugh and point his

    finger at me.

    She flutters her eyshes, slowly opens her eyes, and looks at me with that storm hidden in her eyes.

    “Are you leaving?”

    I soothe her by stroking her hair.

    “I’ll try to be back as soon as possible. I’ll be so fast that you won’t even have time to miss me.” I ce a kiss on her forehead. “Keep sleeping,

    ra.”

    “You’re lying, because I already miss you.”

    She curls up, tucking one hand under her chin and the other under the pillow. She falls back to sleep quickly, and like an idiot, I stay a little longer, watching her, dying the inevitable. The twilight will soon give way to a sunny morning, and by then, I should be on my way, not engraving ra in my retinas so I can still see her even with my eyes closed.

    I clench my fists, get up, and walk to the wardrobe, covering my nakedness with one of my shirts and a pair of pants. I avoid making the slightest noise when I close the door behind me and walk down the hallway, quite sure that the wild scent of ra has adhered to my skin and will apany me throughout the day.

    Drystan is waiting for me; however, the moment I make eye contact with him, he avoids my gaze, which reminds me of something ra has been doing these past few days. She’s nervous, more than usual, though I want to think it’s because of the situation and not something I

    haven’t been informed about.

    “Any news?” I ask as I approach the door and slide my hands into my leather gloves.

    “The group of men we sent to scout the area has informed us that there’s been no unusual movement.”

    I nod, though it doesn’tpletely relieve me. It could still be a trap. A few days ago, we decided to send some men to keep watch until we could join them. Part of me had hoped we would see Eleazar sending his people to hide and set up an ambush, at least that would give me the perfect opportunity to kill him and release all my pent–up tension. Instead, it seems that, if everything remains the same, I’ll have to wait until he speaks before I kill him.

    When we leave, I observe those who will apany us. I’ve made sure to select some of the best men, leaving others bin /bcharge bof /bra’s security. I won’t leave a group of ipetents in charge of protecting her.

    “Let’s get moving, I’d like to sleep in my own bed tonight.”

    Drystan smiles, agreeing with mepletely. I scrutinize him, narrowing my eyes and wishing I had the ability to bread /bbhis /bbmind/b. bI /bbwalk /bpast and leave all my men behind, taking the lead. I nce back at the castle onest time, knowing that I bwon’t /bbsee /bbher /bbagain /bfor ba /bbwhile/bb. /bbShe’s /b

    under the sheets, I hope she’s having a pleasant dream.

    bI /bsmile to myself, exhale, and begin the march. Our footsteps make a loud noise, and though running like this has balways /bbgiven /bme some pleasure, a way to forget, to see everything fly by around me, today it’s not what I want to do most, nor what brings me the most peace Every so often, we stop to check the surroundings and put myself, or rather me, in contact with the men already at the Blood Lakeb, /bhidden and waiting for any sign of a threat to inform me.

    By the time we arrive, the sun is setting, painting the sky orange and red. We’re close to the Twisted Forest, I can hear the low growls of bthose /bcreatures born from the worst nightmares. Ancient legends say theke got its name from the blood that flowed like a briver /bfrom the forest and ended here. The reality is that it’s an optical illusion caused by the color of the stones and the sunset.

    “It doesn’t seem like anyone is here,” Drystan murmurs next to me.

    The rustling of the bushes makes me turn my attention fully to them. My shoulders rx when I see one of my men emergeb. /b

    “Sir, we haven’t detected any suspicious movement.”

    “I see he hasn’t arrived.”

    “No, sir.”

    I focus my attention once again on the surface iof /ithe water, briefly remembering that beneath it dwell dangerous creatures.

    “He’ll probablye when it’s fully dark.”

    I sharpen my senses as I do my own reconnaissancei, /isearching for any threat like a madman, but find nothing. I could think I’m just being paranoid, but trust is something I cannot afford. Besides, trusting the word of a traitor is absurd. All my men remain silent, listening attentively to any noise that seems out of the ordinary. iThere /iare small snaps of branches being stepped on by forest animals, the water breaking the surface, and the soundsing from the night birds that have started to wake up.

    I’m leaning against the bark of a tree when, after several tense hours listening carefully, I hear quick footsteps approaching. Gradually, all bmy /bmen hear the same thing I do and take their positions. iBy /ithe time the golden–haired vampire appears, there’s not a single corner bof /bthis forest he could escape from, not without my men catching him.

    “Well, a lot of people to wee me,” Eleazar imakes /ihis appearance and mimics my posture, leaning against a tree at a prudent distance. He smiles, like the bastard he is, and runs his fingers through his straw–colored hair. Despite his smile, I can see the fatigue reflected in every feature, and his cockiness can’t hide the tension in his body.

    “I isee /iyou’re not very talkative,” he adds, in response to my silence. “How’s ra?”

    He knows that by just mentioning her, he’ll get a reaction from me, but before Lcan open my mouth and issue a threat, it’s Drystan who takes charge of the matter.

    “Enough with the provocations, Eleazar. We’re here, just as you asked. Say what you have to say.”

    His golden eyes istudy /ime a little longer, measuring me. I see his nervousness, and although a blind rage takes over me every time I bthink /babout his role in ra’s suffering, I force myself ito /iremain visibly unaltered.

    “I want to help iyou/ii./ii” /i