Kill Me Softly

Chapter Ten

I drag the back of my hand across my cheek, wiping away the last of the salty tears. Sniffling a little, I shove what little belongings I have into the backpack Leilani had given me when I'd been tossed out of Archer's home and try to shove the panicked worry that's brewing in my chest. I need my wits about me. I need to be calm and calculating if I have any hope of getting Anabel home to her brother. I can't keep letting visions of Octavian forcing the sweet little girl to endure what I had form in my mind's eye. I'll go mad.

"Viridian, what are you doing?" Ryder asks from the doorway.

"Leaving. Dax and Leilani need my help to find Anabel," I mutter, yanking my sweater over my head and replacing it with a leather jacket. The material is cold against my skin compared to the gentle warmth of the sweater, but it will better block the biting wind.

"What are you going to do? Barge right through my father's front doors and demand the girl back? That's a stupid plan -no, I take that back. It's a suicidal plan. If he doesn't kill you on the spot for being a traitor, you'll have given him exactly what he wants; you and your boyfriend's power," the incubus states with a stormy expression. His arms fold across his chest and his shoulders square, telling me he's definitely not okay with this. That's okay, because I definitely don't care.

Slinging the backpack strap over my shoulder, I raise an eyebrow at the darked haired man. "If you're so worried about me, why don't you come with me?"

His eyes widen in surprise, but the emotion is quickly covered up with an arrogant scoff. "And risk my neck for some kid I don't know? No thanks."

Angered by his everlasting selfishness, I shove past him. He grunts as his shoulder is forced back by mine, causing a satisfied smirk to form on my lips as I quickly make my way to the front door. Ryder's footsteps follow me, coming closer and closer until his hand grasps my upper arm and pulls me to a stop. I curse, damning his longer strides, and turn back to him.

"You can't be serious," the incubus says incredulously, the oceans in his blue eyes churning with emotions that don't mix well, "you're actually leaving?"

"I am."

I try to tug my arm out of his steely grip, but his fingers tighten on my skin. Reluctantly, I lift my gaze back up to his and find him frowning down at me.

"Viridian, I-" he begins, then stops and frowns again, as if searching for the right words. The stormy seas in his eyes freeze over, becoming impassible walls of ice once more. All emotion leaves his voice when he settles with, "don't get yourself killed."

"I don't plan to." I frown at him and tug my arm again. This time, he lets me go, shoving his hands into his pockets. His eyes stay on anything but me, so I don't bother with a goodbye as I hike the strap of my backpack higher on my shoulder and exit through the front door of Ryder's cabin.

As I walk away, I listen for the sound of the front door opening -for Ryder to change his mind like he had before- but it never comes. Fine, I think hotly, be a selfish coward.

I make it to the treeline and pull out my cellphone, dialing Leilani. It rings several times before the witch's chirpy voice says that she's unavailable at the moment and to please leave a message. I try Dax, with the same result, and hang up, shoving the device into my pocket. I guess I'll be surprising them with a visit then.

Throwing one last glance back at the silent cabin, I walk into the forest once again.

Hours later, I peer around the thick trunk of a tree on the border of the familiar clearing. I let out a quiet, tired breath as my eyes land on the old, dilapidated cabin that sits above the place I'd wanted so badly to call home. I stare at the peeling cherry red paint of the front door, remembering the first time I'd pushed it open and walked into the ruined room, thinking it would only be for the night. So much has changed since then.