Chapter 7

7

O ctavia

Someone shakes me awake.

I open my eyes, and it's pitch-black. It takes me a few disoriented moments to remember where I am. To remember my situation.

My eyes start to adjust. There are still a few embers in the fireplace, and a great shadow looms over me. It's Creed.

"We need to go," he whispers.

"Okay." I reply quietly. My eyes feel scratchy. It took me a while to finally fall asleep. I'm tired, so I suspect that I didn't get too many hours. A thought hits me. "Did you get a chance to sleep at all, or did you stand watch this whole time?" I yawn.

"I'll sleep when it is safe to do so."

Poor guy. I get tears in my eyes for a moment. I'm so grateful he is helping me. I've never been more terrified in all of my life.

"Here." He hands me something.

I take it on instinct, quickly realizing that it's my backpack. "Thanks." I fumble with the pack, putting it onto my back as I stand. "I don't suppose you have a lantern or a flashlight?"

"No, and even if I did, we wouldn't use it. They'll find us in a minute if we do something like that."

"You're right."

"As quiet as a mouse."

"Mice can be noisy critters." I smile.

"A mute mouse, then."

I giggle softly, then stop. "Sorry, I laugh when I'm nervous. It used to get me into a lot of trouble at school."

"You'll need to get over that habit really quickly. If they find us, we probably won't escape. I will be killed. You…you'll be in trouble, Octavia."

The words mating and breeding come to mind. My stomach churns.

"I know." A knot forms in my stomach. I'm trying not to think about it because I'll freeze up. I'll be too afraid to do anything, which isn't like me. I hate feeling this vulnerable. "I'll be as quiet as a mute mouse…I swear."

"Good. We need to get going soon," he says in a soft, yet deep voice, throwing a log onto the embers. He starts blowing.

"Okay." I rummage in my pack, feeling my way around until the log catches alight and I can see.

I spend a few minutes brushing my teeth. I'm tempted to wash off some of the soot that is still caked on my skin, but I don't. I have a feeling that Creed wouldn't like it.

"Are you nearly ready?"

"Can I have a minute alone, please?"

He sighs, going outside. I use the bucket and then call him back inside.

"Ready?" he whispers.

"Yes."

He pours water over the fire, which sizzles as it goes out. There's a little smoke, but nothing crazy. Then we walk outside onto his wooden deck. It's just as dark under the canopy of trees as it was inside the cabin. I can't see much of anything.

"There are no stairs," he murmurs. I think I hear him take his jeans off, but I try not to think about it. I don't want to know.

"How do you get up and down?" I'm, once again, trying not to panic. "Especially in the dark," I whisper.

"I climb."

"I'm not sure I—"

"Get onto my back." He turns and goes down on his haunches. At this point, all I can see are shadows. "I'll carry you. I use branches as well as footholds I built to get up and down. I've done it a thousand times. It's quite safe."

I hesitate. I mean, of course, I do…who wouldn't? We're high up. Creed is going to climb down the side of a tree. Climb! He's going to do so with the added weight of me on his back.

Creed sighs. "What happened to doing whatever I told you without question and immediately? Get! Onto! My back! Do it now!" he growls low.

Oh, my gosh!

Oh, my gosh!

I can do this! I climb onto his broad, very solid back, putting my arms around him. He is carrying what feels like waterskins and a bag that is slung over his shoulder. How is he going to carry me, my backpack, and his own stuff? Holy moly! Then again, he is solid as a freaking rock, which means that he must be strong. He can get us down. I have to believe it.

I hold my breath as he swings himself out onto the side of the tree. I squeeze my eyes shut and grasp him tighter as Creed begins to climb down the side of the trunk. The branches creak and sway under his weight, but he moves with a fluidity that belies his massive frame. I cling to him tightly, my heart racing in my chest as we descend into the darkness below. I feel the muscles in his back tense and flex beneath his warm skin; each movement is deliberate and controlled. As we descend more and more, I start to relax just a little. I can breathe easier.

Finally, we reach the forest floor, and I sigh with relief. I expect Creed to set me down, but he doesn't. "I can move faster and more quietly than you can. I'll carry you until we are safely out of this area. Do not make a sound. I mean it. It doesn't matter what you hear or what you see; you keep quiet. You need to hide, to run if need be. Stay out of harm's way. Am I clear?"

"O-okay. Yes."

I yelp softly as Creed takes off through the forest at an astonishing pace, considering it is the middle of the night. I can't see much of anything under the thick trees. Very dark shadows, at best.

The cooler night air rushes past us as Creed carries me on and on through the forest. His footsteps are silent as he runs into the dark. I cling to him tightly as he jumps over what must be roots and rocks. How can he see anything? I don't get it. He suddenly changes direction and skids to a halt, causing me to almost lose my grip on him. He crouches low to the ground, his body tense and alert. Every one of his muscles is bunched and ready.

I want to ask him what is wrong, but I don't dare. Instead, I strain my ears, but I can't hear anything out of the ordinary.

A minute later, there is a noise from up above us. High up. It sounds like giant wings flapping.

What the hell is it?

Do they have large nocturnal birds on this island?

Whatever it was is gone a few moments later, but Creed stays right where he is. I feel myself slipping, but the huge man hoists me back up onto his back in one easy move. He really is very strong. I'm in awe, actually. A few moments later, he stands in one motion and sets off again at a blistering pace.

Holy freaking moly!

We move through the darkness, Creed's powerful strides covering ground with an unnatural speed. I hold on tight, my heart pounding as we navigate through the dense forest. The only sounds are the rustling of leaves in a soft breeze and the occasional hoot of a night owl or the skitter of a night creature in the distance.

I'm just starting to relax, to think that we might just make it, when a low growl rips through the silence. It comes from somewhere in front of us. Creed halts abruptly, his body tensing as he scans the surroundings. I hold my breath, listening intently for any sign of danger. The growl comes again, closer this time, accompanied by the snapping of twigs under heavy footsteps.

Creed puts me down, and then gently pushes me behind a large tree. From his silhouette, I can tell that his gaze is fixed on the source of the noise. I can't make out any facial expression. Through the tangled undergrowth emerges a massive shadowy figure, his features obscured by the darkness. All I know is that he is massive.

"I knew you had her," someone says in a gravelly voice.

"Maximus," Creed says under his breath.

How does he know it's the same guy who had me before? How can he see anything? I can still only make out shadows.

"This didn't end well for you last time," Creed adds.

From the way the dark silhouette grows larger, I know that Maximus steps forward, his towering figure casting a menacing shadow as he stalks closer.

"You can't protect her forever. She belongs to me. I found her first. The human is mine!" he rasps. "Miiiinnnne!" he says in a strange way that has goosebumps going up on my arms.

"She belongs to no one. The human is not your property," Creed tosses back.

The human.

There is that term again. Why would they call me that? It would imply that they are not human when they clearly are.

Maximus sniffs the air and then sniffs again. "Hmmmmmmm." The mountain man groans. "You smell good, female. You are nearly fertile and ready. I will enjoy breeding you."

Breeding me.

Holy crap. What the hell?!

I remember exactly what Creed told me about what these guys wanted, but hearing Maximus say it so openly makes me feel ill. How can he smell my fertility? That's just plain stupid. I don't react to anything he is saying. I stay very quiet, very still, and out of harm's way.

Although I can't see much of anything, I can feel the tension crackling in the air like electricity as Creed and Maximus face off. Despite being hidden behind the tree, I can sense the sheer power emanating from both of them as they prepare for what seems like an inevitable clash. My heart hammers in my chest, fear and adrenaline coursing through my veins.

I pray that Creed wins.

One of them snarls, sounding like a ferocious lion. Then, they come together all at once. Branches snap, there are growls, snarls, and grunts of exertion. I strain my ears, trying to discern who has the upper hand in this deadly battle taking place just a few feet away from where I cower. If I didn't know better, I would say that it was two predators fighting tooth and nail. They sound savage and untamed.

Should I run?

Find a better hiding spot?

Shit! I don't know what to do. I'm going to have to trust that Creed has the situation under control. I'll move if I have to, but without a flashlight, I might hurt myself in the dark. I'll trip and fall. I'll run straight into a tree or a thorn bush.

Nope, for now, I'm staying right here.

There is a sickening crunch, and I can't help it; I gasp. Then, one of the two men falls. They fall hard onto solid ground with a thump.

Oh no!

No!

Please let Creed be okay. Please!

There's silence. Complete quiet. It's disconcerting.

Mounting tension crackles through me. I dare not move, barely even breathe. I'm waiting for some sign of what has just happened. The darkness seemed to press in on me, suffocating in its intensity. I peer around the tree but can't see anything.

"Creed?" I whisper. I can't help it.

"Shhhhhhh," he says, suddenly there right next to me. "Not a sound," he whispers into my ear. "They'll be here soon." He hoists me onto his back in one swift move.

They?

I have to work to keep myself from yelping as we melt back into the shadows of the forest. I get a whiff of a coppery scent that I suspect is blood. I'm hoping he isn't injured.

As Creed moves silently through the undergrowth, I can't shake off the fear that lingers in the pit of my stomach.

They!

Just as I think it, the sound of footfalls in the distance sends a jolt of panic through me. Creed quickens his pace, his movements fluid and purposeful. I bury my face in his shoulder, trying to muffle the erratic rhythm of my breathing. Every nerve in my body is on edge as I wait for the next threat to reveal itself.

Crap! Crap! What are we going to do?

Soon, the sound of footfalls seems to come from all around us. There is more than one of them and although they're still far, they're moving quickly.

We're in real trouble.