We ventured out of the cave, backpacks slung over our shoulders soon as they sky's dark enough for us to travel. He's leading the way, while I followed behind.
We've both have changed into new sets of clothes, leaving our bloodied ones behind along with the dead bodies in the cave. I try not think what it meant, the way we fucked three more times after that.
Not only have I destroyed the last piece of my past with the cottage, but I've also destroyed our 'secret hiding spot'. Our sanctuary. The place where we'd meet, should something bad would happen.
Now I've replaced it all with memories of Ravić.
"Who is this person we're seeing?" he asked, coaxing me out of my thoughts.
"Someone I used to know," I replied curtly.
We wade through the path, walking along the shadows of the main road that would lead us to the small town by the border.
A riffle strapped on his shoulder, and a handgun strapped in my belt. All stolen from the dead soldiers. I tried not to let the guilt eating at me alive, at the thought.
No cars, nor humans in sight. Everyone had the sense to stay indoors at night. Doors locked, weapons ready, especially being this close to the border that separates our land.
"How do you know that we can trust this person?" he asked, slowing his pace so I'd fall into step beside him.
"Because he's on our side."
"It's a 'he', then."
I frowned, tilting my head at him. "Yes, a 'he'."
His jaw tightened as we walked, eyes ahead. "A vampire?"
"No," I said, thinking back to the last time I'd seen him just a few months ago. It hadn't ended well. "He's a human."
"A human on our side?" he said dryly. "Well, color me surprised."
I furrowed my brows at him, annoyed.
He scoffed and picked up his pace, putting some distance between us.
"Seriously? What's your problem?" I called, hurrying to catch up.
"Nothing," he said without looking at me.
I narrowed my eyes. "I've literally been doing everything you asked. The least you could do is be a little less...less..."
"Less what?" he bit out, stopping short and turning back to me, his jaw tight and eyes flashing. "Go on. Say it."
I hesitate, thrown off by how close we suddenly are. "Less moody."
His lips parted, about to bite out a retort when he slammed into me, shoving me to the ground. I barely had time to react, lifting my head wondering what the hell's going on when I freeze underneath his body.
The tall grass shielded us from view, as the tanks rumbled down the empty road, heading towards the same direction we're trying to go. Why the hell would the government waste so much of their resources, to try and chase us down?
I turned to him, his natural musky scent mingled with nature making me feel all warm and tingly again. Despite us already spending the rest of the day fucking. One would think I would've been perfectly sated by now.
"How big is the town we're heading into?" he asked quietly.
If he could sense what I'm feeling right now, he certainly didn't show it.
"Not big," I said. "It's a small town, and with that many hunters heading there..."
"We need to change course," he said, getting to his feet and offering me a hand.
"And where exactly do you suggest we go?" I asked, letting him pull me up.
"This time, we're going to find an old friend of mine."
"Why?"
"We need blood," he stated, slinging his riffle over his shoulder. "Especially if we're going to face off that many people."
"Who?"
He glanced back at me with a grin. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"I didn't even know you had friends here," I muttered, watching him run across the street with his unnatural speed.
I followed, then stumbled on a rock I hadn't seen when I crossed to the other side.
He caught me, arm slipping around my waist when I nearly tripped and fall on my face. I still wasn't used to running like this.
"He was exiled a long time ago," Ravić revealed, easing me back to the ground. "He's made a life for himself here ever since."
I clung to his muscular arms, remembering how I'd clawed at this very spot the last time we fucked.
"I didn't know a vampire lived among us," I murmured, clearing away that memory.
"There's a lot you don't know about our worlds, Rosie," he said, brushing his fingers gently along my cheek tenderly. "And how I wish I could keep it that way."
If my heart still beat, it would've skipped. With the way he's looking at me, his amber eyes shining under the moonlight like I'm a marvel to his eyes. It's probably just the vampiric bond we share, when he became my sire.
I pull away, clearing my throat and effectively breaking the moment. The longer we're together, the more blurry the line's getting.
"Are we heading there?" I asked, my thumb pointing at the forest, pretending like we hand't just shared a moment.
"Yeah," he replied, disappointment flashing his eyes for a moment there before it was gone.
I nod, then head toward that direction, craving a little distance between us. I need to think, to make sense of things.
We hadn't really talked about what would happen once we reached the border. Do I follow him to the other side, or head back to my old life here?
If what he said is true, that a vampire have truly managed to live among the humans here, then maybe I can do that too.
It didn't take long before Ravić found an abandoned motorcycle on the outskirts of the city. Keys still in the ignition, everything still intact like it was too good to be true. Then again, after all the natural disasters over the years, this is nothing out of the ordinary.
As happy as a vampire in a blood bank, he jumped onto the black bike without a second thought. Swinging his rifle to the front, he nodded at me.
"Well?" he asked.
"Is it safe? We're about to go into a ruined city. I highly doubt..." We're practically announcing our arrival to scavengers, desperate for food. Or worse, cannibals who might loiter around the area.
He just rolled his eyes.
"I don't see the problem."
Is he serious?
I hesitate, eyeing the seat behind him like it might poison my ass.
Even with how ridiculously handsome he looks sitting on that bike...like I might-
Focus.
He must've sensed where my mind is going, because he flashed me a grin, his red irises glowing with mischief.
"Where we're going is a 20-minute ride. You sure you wanna walk the whole way? It's almost dawn," he pointed out.
I bite my lip.
Fuck this.
"Fine."