SEVEN

Managing to have found the smoothest slab of stone in the cave, I lay myself upon it.

It's cold, but the fire Marek has created helps. Despite the flames licking up the cave wall, magnificent shadows dancing tauntingly upon us, the heat doesn't reduce the chill that has crept across my skin. Seeing Marek use his abilities, kill someone...I can't get it out of my head. And despite the fact that he saved me, when he could have sacrificed me and escaped, he chose to protect me, I refuse to trust him.

And he's still protecting me. But I'm not foolish enough to think I can trust him, especially since I'm likely still his prisoner. If I try to run, he will chase me, or maybe even use his abilities on me again.

Marek sits on a rock a few steps away from me, prodding the fire with a singed stick. I can't read his expression, but that doesn't bother me. I'm fascinated with his face, where the markings of a Summoners unused power dwells has now vanished. Remnants remain, dusted along his hairline, now in a dark shade of sapphire.

"They are going to be coming for us," he murmurs. Loosening a breath, I stare out to the edge of the cave, where a flurry of snow dances, leaving patches not far from us. It's going to be a cold night, so I'm grateful for the fire Marek created, and his coat which is still draped across me.

Even if it's taking every part of me not to get up and run away. I would never survive in this weather, and even if Marek has made it clear he doesn't want me dead, I don't want to test his trust by making a run for it.

"Comforting."

His eyes find mine. "I'm simply warning you."

I sigh, sitting up. He watches me do so, my movements still slightly uneasy, with the drug still ebbing through my bloodstream. That may be concern, or maybe even regret that flickers through his eyes, before he blinks, and it vanishes.

“You must get lonely, spending your whole life hunting," I find myself saying. It's a risk, digging under his skin with these remarks. But he doesn't flinch, or appear irritated for even a moment. His mask reduces, revealing somewhat of a solemn expression.

“It’s no lonelier of a life than what it would be if I didn’t hunt," he admits, setting his stick down beside him.

I want to ask about his family, his past, but the words fall short before the touch my lips. It's not business any of mine, nor should I care, but I can't help my curiosity. I look at him and see a beautifully dangerous, lethal man with unspoken magic - magic he hadn't used in years, and never intended to. I can't help but wonder...

“Why do it, is all?”

“Why believe in your Tani?” he questions. I can feel incipient anger increasing within me, which I quickly shun down. He comes from another life, another way of being raised that is unfamiliar with my villages practice. I can blame him for wanting to kill my Tani, but not for that.

“It’s all I’ve ever known," I admit.

Thinking back to my village, I was always schooled from home. Once a week, our community would gather to pray and sing and connect with each other, sharing knowledge on our Tani. Because my schooling was so focused on my belief, I've developed little skills or hobbies. I regret that about my life everyday.

“Exactly.”

I settle back against the cave wall. Has all he ever known hunting? He's so strange, his backstory frosted over, never allowed to be touched. I shouldn't ask anymore about him, though.

“Believing in a Tani is peaceful, however blind my faith may be," I tell him pointedly. A frown flutters across his face, his eyebrows furrowing. He seems shocked at what I've admitted to him, which I can't blame him for. I don't know how many people from my village would admit there is a possibility my faith could be unjustified.

“You don’t believe?”

“Sometimes. But in my heart I believe my Tani is good, and that’s the most important thing," I say softly. I mean that.

A comfortable silence settles over us, as we dwell upon what each other has said. I can forgive him for having a complicated relationship with Tani. That's the beautiful thing about faith in Tani. It can take so many different forms, whether it is positive or negative. I just hope after this, Marek won't go after my Tani, and will reconsider.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” he asks suddenly. I flinch, turning my head against the slate of stone to shoot him a wary look.

“No...What’s that look?”

His eyebrows are risen, looking genuinely shocked. I'm too shy to admit to him that my family have been corresponding with particular families to set up a marriage for the future. They wanted to give me options, so I could at least find love in what was offered. But as much as I tried to get to know those young men, none of them fit.

“I’m surprised, that’s all," he admits, stepping away from the fire which has settled into a comfortable blaze. I watch him sit down a few steps away from me, my heart rate accelerating.

“Surprised? I’m a girl who just moved away from a strict home for the first time. My life has been encompassed with supporting my Tani," I say, my tone half-joking, but my blood has run cold. Marek shrugs loosely, not fazed.

The fire casts shadows across his already sharp features. “You’re pretty, young, innocent in an inexperienced kind of way. You don’t see that much anymore," he comments, as if it's meant to flatter me.

“Inexperienced?”

“Innocence. Where I’ve been, I’ve met too many people who have seen a lot of bad things. It corrupts a person," Marek describes, to which I sigh. I've never had the chance to be corrupted. Until now I suppose. I can't help but wonder if this will stick with me when this is all over.

It's not as if I'll ever forget Marek.

“Well, I refused to be flattered by a Summoner who is also my kidnapper calling me pretty. I’m better than that," I murmur, stumbling over my words foolishly. It may be easy to say that, but my own thoughts betray me. The way Marek talks about me, like I'm deserving of all the affections in the world makes my heart flutter foolishly.

He chuckles. “Fair. I wouldn’t be either.”

“At least you’re reasonable...well, as much as an obsessed man may be," I comment. It's refreshing, having a semblance of his humanity return. Do Summoner's have humanity? Their magic originates from the Demonic River, then passed down through generations.

“Obsessed? It’s more like a hobby," Marek retorts, the corner of his mouth tilting up.

“Unlikely. What other interests do you have?” I ask, wondering if my gentle proving will allow him to be less reluctant in revealing parts of himself. He must realise I'm attempting to make conversation, as he leans back on elbows, staring up at the ceiling of the cave, fascinated by the patterns that play out from the fire.

“Swimming, exploring, being outside. You?”

I think about that. My interests are rather pathetic, in all honest. I have no skills, no viable hobbies that could benefit my life in any way, but I answer regardless. “Walking in nature, being with my family, singing."

“You’re not as insufferable as I thought you would be," he admits softly. I shift on my rock, feeling oddly satisfied with myself, before I have to strictly remind myself his opinions about me shouldn't matter.

“Me? Insufferable? What have you that impression?”

“It’s not personal. Every town dweller seems to be a bit self-consumed," he admits, to which I scrunch my nose up. I'm not town-dweller, but I suppose I know what he means by that. If I'm honest, I would have to agree with him. I was only at the Inn for less than two weeks, but a few clients were near insufferable.

“Well-“

Suddenly, a light flickers from outside, brazening licking it's way to the mouth of our safe place. Marek stills at the sight of it, while my heart soars right into my throat. I'm imaging this forest is mostly uninhabited, so it's not as if we would have passer-by's.

My suspicions are confirmed, as two figures appear before the mouth of the cave, their lit torches illuminating the cave in unwelcome light. Marek is on his feet in less than a second, but the weapons that glint maliciously in their hands stops him short.

Rifles.

“Look what we have here. Fugitives," one of them says, the firelight dancing across his face menacingly. The two men wear the same uniforms I saw a glimpse of from earlier. Velvet in a royal blue colour, a red band wrapped around their waist. Those are colours I'm unfamiliar with. The ruling authority from where I'm from a women, who does little in interfere in our lives. And of course, the overruling King.

“We broke no law. We are nomads," Marek says uneasily, trying to remain calm, but the sight of their guns has clearly caught him off guard.

The two men exchange glances. “Interesting excuse. The King will be beyond fascinated.”

“We mean no one any harm. We aren’t a risk to the King, or any of you. Just be on your way," Marek warns, motioning toward the outside of the cave. They step inside regardless, blocking our path for escape. Either we fight, or go with them to this King they speak of.

Marek steps forward, hands up to defuse the situation. The men flinch, but they don't react with their guns. My mind lingers; are those guns even loaded? I somehow doubt it. Jade Province members are typically ver peaceful. And with their dark hair and soft features, I have no doubt of their origin.

“We are wearing charms, so don’t think about using your Summoning powers," one spits, nodding to a thin band around his wrist. Marek frowns, baffled by this unknown technology.

“Summoner,” Marek corrects smoothly. “And I don’t think you know how much power I actually have.”

There's defeat in the way he speaks, a suggestion of his willingness to comply with these men. If Marek figures there is no safe way to get out of this situation, then surrounding must be the only option. The two men sense the slip in his demeanour, and nod between each other.

“Cuff him. He’s useless,” one of the men mutters, his partner stepping forward to Marek, who holds his hands up. Then, the mans gaze finds me, and he sneers at me. “As for the girl. She’ll come along nicely, won’t you sweetheart?”

“Pig," I growl.

He moves toward me, going to grab me, but I rear back, and slam my fist right into his left cheek, sending him stumbling backward in shock. Everyone in the room is taken aback, including me. That comment created enough fear and anger for me to react with enough force to do some damage.

The man corrects his stance, holding his face, rifle falling from his hands. I knew it. The gun isn't loaded, just there for show and intimidation.

He comes at me again, and this time, I lash out with my foot, striking him right below the knee. The man's associate doesn't make a move to defend him, too busy apprehending Marek. I look at Marek. He saved me, but he's also my kidnapper. I don't want to fall into his trap again, but walking into the snow alone would be a death sentence in itself.

My hesitation gives the man enough time to right himself, and come at me with a fresh sense of vengeance. I fight and protest, but to no avail. He's clearly got some training, as he slaps silver cuffs around my wrists.

“You’ve made a mistake pretty lady,” he growls in my ear, pulling my back against his chest violently. “The Kings going to take a liking to you.”