Ruby Red

Chapter Twenty

Since he had left the tavern, Karis never stopped moving. He knew he would be winded by the time he got there, but he didn't care. Alana was so close, and she had said she needed him. There was no way that he was going to let her down.

The old manor seemed to be a dark spot in the grassy countryside of Cordavis. Gray bricks cracking with age held up crumbling walls and broken windows lay in a neat array across the front of the house. The yard was overgrown behind an old wrought iron fence, but everything else around the house seemed to be green and bright. No one in their right mind would ever come here to this thunderstorm staining the blue sky. That just gave Karis all the more reason to get Alana out of here as soon as possible.

When the house came into view, Karis tried to peek through all of the windows to see if he could spot her. There weren't any lights on, but he swore he could see a flicker of candlelight in one of the upper levels.

Meanwhile, Alana had not taken her eyes off of the road since she had sent the letter. She was dreading Indigo's eventual return and begging for Etta or Karis to come back before they did. Every rustle of a rabbit in the field or gust of wind making the glass window creak sent her body on high alert. She was desperate now. For rescue, for medical attention, anything.

That was when she saw the familiar strong figure of the one person she was dying to see. She had to do a double-take to make sure it was really him, but it was. Karis. He had found her. Karis was finally coming back to her.

Immediately, she jumped out of her chair and stood next to the window. Her foot throbbed with every step, but she couldn't sit idly by. Alana started screaming his name, over and over, "Karis! Karis! Karis!" Her hand pounded on the glass in an attempt to get his attention.

Karis looked up at the manor when he heard the smacking. His eyes followed the sound to a window on the second level and he almost started crying. There she was, crying his name like it was the only word that mattered. Seeing Alana's face again, even like this, gave him enough motivation to push ahead at full force.

Now, Karis was sprinting into the manor. The rickety old front doors broke apart easily with a swift kick. Following the sound of Alana's voice, he ran up the stairs over to a second-story door with a golden knob.

From inside, Alana could hear Karis trying to rattle the knob. By now, she was sobbing, and his name on her lips had gone from pleading screams to desperate whispers. She started to limp back over to the desk where she could brace herself until he came in. Karis was here. He was coming for her.

Trying to open the door by messing with the lock wasn't working. Karis was so close. Alana was right behind this door, and he would get to see her and hold her again in mere seconds if he could get the stupid door open. Soon, he gave up being gentle. The old wooden door broke easily under his heel, and he slammed it open.

As soon as she laid eyes on him, Alana started crying harder. She dragged her broken foot behind her and limped toward Karis, who was frozen at the sight of her. Neither of them could believe this was happening like this.

Alana stumbled, but Karis was right there. He dove forward with his arms outstretched to catch her from falling. She winced as she lost her balance, but Karis was still right there. Alana fell forward into his chest, and for a moment, the two of them just stood there, only a foot of space between them. Their eyes locked for what seemed like the first time again, earthy brown meeting emerald green.

With a sob falling from her lips, Alana threw herself into him. She buried her head into the crook of his neck, breathing in his sharp scent of sweat and pine and cinnamon. Her arms were around his neck, and Karis slowly put his hands on her back.