Chapter 14: Chapter 14

ANNA

We make it to the stream. Lev gently places me on the ground, scoops up water, and splashes it onto his face. Amethyst is enjoying her freedom, sipping water and washing all the dirt off.

I shift closer, scoop up some water, and splash it on my face.

~Never knew water could feel so good.~

I look up to find Lev and Amethyst staring at me.

“What? Please don’t tell me there’s a spider on me.” I shake myself all over and both of them start to laugh.

Amethyst places a hand on my shoulder. “No spider,” she says, smiling.

“Can you heal her?” Lev asks, frowning at Amethyst.

She scans my body and looks up at Lev.

“I can’t do healing spells. I can only bend the four elements; healing is for more advanced sorcerers,” she replies, and looks at me apologetically.

We hear someone approaching us and immediately I’m in defensive mode. Lev and Amethyst look relaxed, though, not even an ounce of worry in their eyes.

Roland walks out of the woods.

~Ugh, not him again.~

He walks over to Lev, looking me over, his face emotionless.

I shift on the ground.

He is shirtless. A sleeve tattoo on his left arm continues over his chest to his right shoulder and wraps around to cover half of his back. I see a slashing wound on his back, too, and it is bleeding badly.

He is talking to Lev, apparently ignoring the injury.

“You’re bleeding,” I say, concerned.

Roland looks over at me and smirks.

“Don’t worry, flower. I’ll heal,” he says, sounding amused, and starts to talk to Lev again.

I push my body up from the ground.

Amethyst frowns at me. “Where are you going?” she whispers.

“I need to check his wound,” I say.

Roland and Lev look at me as I walk unsteadily over to them.

~Is Roland annoyed or confused? Not really sure what he’s thinking.~

“What the hell are you doing? You should rest!”

~Okay, he’s angry. Let’s go with angry.~

I just roll my eyes at this man who thinks he can boss me around.

“I’m a doctor and you are hurt. I need to look at your back,” I say, ignoring his death stare.

Lev cautiously moves away from us.

I place my hand on Roland’s back to examine the deep wound. His whole body relaxes under my touch and the sparks start to fly as I gently stroll my fingers down.

I take in a deep breath and place my other hand on his waist to steady myself.

He stiffens and looks over his shoulder at me. Our eyes meet and my whole body lights up.

~Oh, shit.~ I gulp and flash him a sweet smile.

He shoots his one eyebrow up and clears his throat.

“So, doc, will I live?” he asks sarcastically.

I shake my head at him in annoyance.

~How can you be so hot, but so irritating?~

“Unfortunately, yes,” I say.

Lev and Amethyst start to laugh.

I walk back over to the stream, and Roland follows me.

I sit down, place my feet in the water, and start to wash off the blood on my legs.

Roland sits down next to me, scanning me like I’m some sort of mystery to him.

“What?” I ask, not making eye contact. I just keep on washing my legs.

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” he says in a soft voice.

“Go to hell!” I spit at him.

He chuckles, splashing water at me and winking.

“Hey!” I shout.

He just keeps on splashing me. I start to splash him back and within seconds it turns into a game. Lev and Amethyst join in and we start to laugh like old friends.

We are all soaking wet when we stop playing. Lev starts to gather wood for a fire, Amethyst helps me dry my clothes, and Roland goes hunting.

“What’s going on with you and Roland?” Amethyst asks.

I look at her, confused. To be honest, I’m not sure what to say.

“Nothing. As a matter of fact, he annoys me,” I say, pulling up my shirt to dry the bottom.

We hear a growl behind us. I whip around and my eyes immediately land on Roland’s gaze. I feel a blush creeping up my face. I drop my shirt, flatten it, and narrow my eyes at him.

“Yeah, sure, ‘nothing,’” Amethyst says, smiling at us. She pats me on the shoulder and walks over to Lev.

Roland comes over to me and pauses. He lifts his hand and places it on my waist, not breaking eye contact.

A jolt of electricity runs through my body as he places his other hand on my jaw.

“Let me heal you,” he whispers.

I nod, unable to speak.

He closes his eyes and my jaw starts to warm up. He moves his hand down to my neck. He opens one eye and smiles at me.

“For me to heal all your bruises, I will need to place my hand under your shirt,” he says.

I frown at him. My back is killing me, I think my hip bone is cracked, and I’m sure I have a few cracked ribs as well.

~If he can heal it, then fine.~

I suck in a deep breath and pull my shirt off, standing there only in my black lace bra and my jeans.

His eyes widen in shock, and he draws in a deep breath as well. He scans my body, and when our eyes meet I smirk at him.

“Are you going to heal me or just stand there staring?” I ask.

He clears his throat.

“Cute.” He places his hand on my ribs. I flinch at his touch and his expression shifts to concern.

“Sorry, my flower.” He gently strokes my ribs, healing them as he moves. I shake my head when he reaches my waist.

“My back, please,” I whisper and turn around slowly.

He scans my back and brushes my hair over my shoulder, out of the way, then starts to run his hands down my spine.

I close my eyes and tilt my head to one side. I feel my body healing, and it feels good.

He moves in closer and places a soft kiss in the crook of my neck. My eyes shoot open in surprise.

~What the hell?~

“All healed,” he whispers in my ear as his hands make their way to my waist.

I turn around to face him.

“Uh, thanks,” I say as I step out of his embrace.

“You’re very welcome,” he says, smirking at me.

I grab my shirt and pull it over my head.

We go over to the others. Lev is cooking fish on the fire. Amethyst is busy practicing her magic.

Roland goes to stand next to Lev and I walk over to Amethyst. She has some wicked skills; she is shooting small fireballs at a big rock.

“Wow, can you teach me to do that?” I ask as I sit down on the ground.

She starts to laugh and sits next to me.

“Well, it’s hard to learn magic if you’re not born with it,” she says.

“I’ll be a good student.” I flutter my eyelashes at her.

“I bet you will. You can always ask Roland. He is much more advanced than me,” she says, winking.

I glance over to where he is standing. Luckily his back is turned to us. I look back to Amethyst.

“So he’s a sorcerer too?” I ask.

Amethyst grins and stands up.

“That’s not my story to tell. Come, let’s go eat.” She pulls me to my feet.

At the fire, Lev hands me a piece of fish and then sits down next to Roland, who looks over at me and gives me a sweet smile.

I walk over to where Amethyst is sitting.

“Why can’t you tell me? I mean, he kinda freaks me out,” I say and glance over at him. He is in deep conversation with Lev.

“I can tell you one thing. He is one of a kind,” she says.

There are thousands of questions I want to ask her. She is so easy to talk to. She reminds me of Ray—they would have been besties in seconds.

I stare at the pieces of fish in my hand and start to think of my life in New York City, of my friends and family. They are probably sick with worry by now.

I think of Ray’s wedding. I wonder if she is planning it and what will she be wearing. She’s going to be the most gorgeous bride ever.

~I really hope I make it back before the wedding.~

My mind starts to wander, remembering Damitry and our time together. He is a good guy and super sexy.

I feel tears forming when I think of my mom and dad and how crazy they must be going. I bet Mom has every cop out looking for me. I wish I could just call them and tell them I’m okay and will see them soon.

I let out a soft sob.

“Honey, are you okay?” Amethyst asks, putting an arm around my shoulder.

I wipe the tears from my eyes.

“I’m good, just missing my friends and family,” I say, and give her a soft smile.

“Don’t worry, you’ll see them again,” she says reassuringly.

“Come let’s sleep. Roland is taking the first watch, so don’t worry,” she adds as she lies down and closes her eyes.

Lev is all snuggled up close to the fire, fast asleep. Roland is leaning against a big tree sharpening his knife. I lie down and look up into the night sky.

Sleep will not come. I keep on tossing and turning. Finally, I let out a sigh and sit up. Everyone is fast asleep except Roland. He is throwing his knife into the tree across from him. I walk quietly over to him.

“Can’t sleep?” he asks as I approach.

“Yup,” I say, and sit on the ground, resting my head against the tree. I start to rub my arms with my hands to try and give them some heat. Roland slides down next to me.

“Come here,” he says and pulls me into his side. My whole body starts to tingle and I feel my heart doing backflips.

“What are you doing?” I ask him angrily.

He just ignores me, wraps his arms around my body, and pulls me onto his lap.

“What the hell, Roland?” I smack him on his chest.

“Oh, flower, don’t hurt yourself. I’m just warming you up,” he says, amused.

I narrow my eyes at him.

“Now, close those pretty little eyes of yours and sleep, ~moy sladkiy tsvetok~,” he says calmly.

He is warm and cozy and I feel safe in his arms. I look at him and he smiles a sweet, innocent smile. I can feel the exhaustion take over.

~Well, if I’m going to sleep here, I might as well make myself comfortable.~

I let out a yawn and straddle him, laying my head on his chest. I can feel his body stiffen as I move on his lap and he takes in a deep breath.

When I’m settled, he gently wraps his arms around me, stroking my back. I smile softly against his chest.

“All good?” he asks against my ear.

~I don’t know why, but this just feels right.~

“All good. But Roland, what are you?” I ask in a soft voice, keeping my head on his chest.

“I’m an abomination,” he replies, and places a soft kiss on my head.

I look up at him, frowning.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I’ll tell you everything after you get some rest, okay?” he says, and a faint smile forms on his face.

I want to know right then, but I’m so sleepy that I just nod and lie back on his chest. I give in and drift off into a nice slumber.

***

I hear voices and open my eyes slowly to find Lev towering over me. I lift my head and remember I slept on Roland’s lap.

~Shit.~

“Good morning,” Lev says, arching his eyebrow at me.

I try to hide my face in Roland’s chest and both men start to laugh.

“Come on. We need to get moving,” Roland says.

Lev steps away to give us some privacy.

“Thank you for, well, everything,” I say and give him a huge hug. I stand and fix my clothes.

He stands up and smiles at me.

“~Ya by sdelal vse dlya tebya~,” he says in a whisper, and walks over to Lev.

I freeze at what he just said. I didn’t understand a word, it sounded like a promise, full of passion.

A smile creeps up on my face as I walk over to the remains of the fire.

Amethyst gives me a bright smile.

“Slept well?” she asks, winking at me.

“It’s nothing like that,” I said.

“Oh? And why not? I mean, look at him.” She gestures in Roland’s direction.

“I have a boyfriend and I need to get back to him,” I say in a whisper, and all of a sudden I feel guilt flash over me.

Roland snaps his head over to us and gives me a death stare.

~What? Did he hear me? I mean, they are so far away.~

“Did he hear me?” I ask Amethyst, not looking away from Roland’s gaze.

“Yep,” she says, popping the “p,” and starts to walk to Lev. I follow slowly.

“Ready?” I ask, ignoring Roland’s stare and his soft growl.

~Okay, he must be an animal. No human can make that sound.~

“Yes,” Roland said and leads the way. I look over to Amethyst. She shrugs her shoulders at me and follows Roland and Lev. I start to walk behind her.

***

Hours later, we are still walking. Everyone is dead quiet. My legs and feet are killing me, and my chest is burning.

~That’s it. I need a break.~

I fall down to the ground and lie down on my back. Amethyst turns around.

“Anna, are you okay?” she asks, coming over to me.

“Yeah, just need to catch my breath,” I say, panting a little.

She hands me a water bottle Lev gave her.

“Here, have a drink,” she says, smiling.

I take it and swallow down a huge sip.

“Thanks,” I say, and return the bottle.

Lev and Roland approach us.

“Everything okay?” Lev asks, looking down at me.

“Yes, I just need a break,” I say and fall down on my back again, taking in big breaths.

Roland pulls me up from the ground and swings me over his shoulder.

“~Hey!~ Put me down!” I shout and start to kick and scream like a mad person.

He smacks me on my ass and my whole body freezes.

~Did he just hit me? What the hell? How dare he?~

“Hey, asshole! Let me go right now!”

He drops me to my feet and grabs my arms.

Lev and Amethyst just keep on moving past us.

He looks pissed and growls at me.

“What is your problem, and why do you keep ~growling~ at me?” I say, trying to twist out of his grip.

He narrows his eyes at me. “You! ~You~ are my problem!” he spits.

“What did I ever do to you?” I ask angrily.

He runs his fingers through his hair.

“You are slowing us down! You are just a human. You don’t belong here!” he shouts, his eyes wild and filled with fire.

“Fine!” I shout, and walk away from him.

“Where are you going?” he calls after me, enraged.

“Anywhere, as long as you’re not there!” I shout over my shoulder.

“Annabeth, be reasonable!”

“Leave me alone, Roland. I don’t need you!” I start to jog away from him.

I don’t know why his words cut so deep, but it hurt. Every single word he spat at me formed a scar on my heart. I feel the tears running down my cheeks.

“Anna, wait for me.”

I stop in my tracks, and Amethyst comes running up. She looks at me and pulls me in for a hug.

“Thanks, but you should go with them,” I say.

She shakes her head.

“No. I promised I would help you get home, and I keep my promises. Besides, I know we will see them soon. He won’t be able to let you go,” she says as she starts to walk away.

I look back and see that Roland is still standing and gazing after me.

~Why do I feel like I want to run to him and leap into his arms?~

I shake my head and turn away, following Amethyst.