Unbound (The Captive #7)(36)

In her chest, her deadened heart lurched and she took an involuntary step toward the mirage before it vanished. A scream welled in her throat. If there hadn’t been humans nearby waiting to take her to the waterfall, she would have bellowed her despair to the sky before sinking to her knees and sobbing out her misery.

Instead, she remained completely still. If she moved at all, what thin control she had of her shredding sanity and composure would crumble around her. She could return to the cave, to check on them, but she didn’t think she’d be able to leave Braith, not again.

If Braith came back, he would find her.

***

Daniel

Daniel poked his head out of the cave and examined the forest surrounding him. A week within the musty, gloomy confines of the cave had him blinking against the sun. He inhaled a big breath of fresh air and closed his eyes to savor it. Being within the caves, trapped with the melancholy and death, had worn on his soul more than he’d realized. Now he couldn’t get enough of the warmth of the sun and the cool air brushing over his face.

Xavier rested his hand on his arm, holding him back from stepping out of the cave. Determination was etched onto Xavier’s handsome features as he searched the forest around them and scented at the air.

“I sense no one nearby,” Xavier said after a minute.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Jack inquired.

Daniel turned toward him. “We have to know what is going on by the palace, and we have to try to find Aria.”

Jack turned to gaze at the woods. “You could return to the palace and the protection of the walls.”

“I’m sure Melinda and Ashby have things covered in there,” Daniel replied. “We’ll be needed outside the walls to report back to you what we find.”

Jack took hold of Hannah’s hand when she stepped into the sunlight. Her head tipped back and her eyes closed as the rays played over her delicate face. Having been denied the sun for most of her life, Daniel hated to think of her locked within the caves again. However, Jack wouldn’t leave here, not until they had their answer about Braith, and Daniel couldn’t stay anymore.

Their injuries were healed well enough for them to move on. He focused on the forest around him once more before stepping from the cave beside Xavier with Timber and Max close on his heels.

“Be careful,” Hannah said from behind them.

“Always,” Max replied and Daniel turned back to wave at the couple before slipping into the trees.

“Where do you think Aria is?” Xavier asked after they had covered a couple of miles and paused to rest beside a lake.

“Most likely near the palace,” Max replied as he rose from the edge of the lake and tossed back his wet hair.

There had been a small water supply in the cave they’d used to wash themselves with, but Daniel had still felt rank and dirty until he’d scrubbed his flesh with the lake water. His relief over finally having washed the scent of mildew and dead animals off his body far outweighed any chill he might have felt from the freezing cold water.

Daniel rose from where he’d knelt beside the lake and flicked away a few of the beads of water still trickling down his face. Xavier had always been a calming presence, a wealth of knowledge Aria loved to question and learn more from. Now, Daniel sensed the stoic vampire was about to explode.

Xavier had been tense and restless for the last week within the cave. The more he healed, the more he paced like a caged tiger. They were finally out and Xavier was more on edge than ever as he stalked through the trees, his gaze constantly searching the shadows.

Daniel couldn’t help but admire the flex and bunch of Xavier’s powerful muscles as he moved, but then it was impossible not to notice how attractive Xavier was. He’d certainly noticed it long ago. Throughout his life, Daniel had always been attracted to those he had a connection with regardless of what sex they were. He enjoyed someone who appreciated beauty and art, and could talk for hours. Someone who didn’t have reservations and judgments of others.

It was a rare combination to find in a man or woman, which was why he spent more time alone than with another. He required an emotional connection to anyone before he climbed into bed with them. He liked Xavier, and couldn’t deny his brown eyes and skin, intelligence, and unwavering loyalty had intrigued him for some time, but Xavier took his role as Aria’s guard seriously and allowed little room for distractions, especially of the romantic sort.

Besides, despite the fact Xavier was one of the wisest and most knowledgeable men Daniel knew, he felt no emotional connection to him, only desire. He’d never been with someone he didn’t have a bond with before, and had never considered a vampire partner as he planned to leave this world the way he’d come into it, human.

However, life was short. Even for an immortal, he realized as he recalled Braith lying dead in that cave. It may be getting a whole lot shorter for more of them, if not all of them, by the time this thing with Sabine was done.

Daniel’s head tilted to the side as he watched Xavier pace from one tree to another. He didn’t kid himself into thinking they would all make it out of this alive. Maybe it was time to start taking what he desired now; there may not be many more tomorrows. Nothing could ever come of the two of them, but nothing had ever come of his past relationships either, as both parties had agreed to go their separate ways, and he did like Xavier after all.

Xavier rubbed at his stubble-lined cheeks as he met Daniel’s gaze and held it. “I’m going to scout ahead,” Xavier said and slipped into the trees.