chapter four

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the dense forest as Lucian and Caroline sprinted through the underbrush. The sounds of the bounty hunters echoed behind them, a cacophony of shouts and the crack of branches underfoot. They had been on the run for days, their bodies weary but adrenaline coursing through their veins, urging them to push harder, to escape.

“Over here!” Lucian whispered urgently, pulling Caroline to the side as they ducked behind a thicket of bushes. He scanned the area, his breath coming in quick bursts. The forest was thick, but it offered little protection from the relentless pursuit of their captors. They had to find shelter, and fast.

After a few tense moments, Lucian spotted a narrow path leading deeper into the woods. “This way,” he said, taking Caroline’s hand and guiding her down the trail. The path was overgrown, the earth soft beneath their feet, but it felt like a lifeline.

They ran for what felt like hours, the sounds of their pursuers fading into the distance. Finally, they stumbled upon a small clearing, and there, partially obscured by trees and vines, stood an old, abandoned cabin. Its weathered boards were gray, and the roof sagged slightly, but it looked sturdy enough to provide a temporary refuge.

“Lucian, do you think it’s safe?” Caroline asked, her voice trembling slightly as they approached the cabin.

“We won’t know unless we check,” he replied, his tone firm yet reassuring. He pushed the door open, the creak of the hinges echoing in the stillness. Inside, the air was musty, filled with the scent of damp wood and decay. Sunlight streamed through the cracked windows, illuminating dust motes that danced in the air.

Lucian stepped inside cautiously, scanning the room for any signs of life. The cabin was small, consisting of a single room with a fireplace on one side and a rickety table with two chairs on the other. In the corner, a worn-out couch sagged under its own weight, and a small kitchenette sat against the far wall.

“Looks like no one’s been here in a while,” he said, relaxing slightly. “Let’s make sure it’s secure.”

Caroline nodded, her heart racing as they moved through the cabin. Lucian checked the windows, ensuring they were tightly shut, while Caroline inspected the fireplace, where a few old logs lay, damp and useless.

After a thorough search, they both breathed a sigh of relief. “We’re alone,” Lucian confirmed, turning to Caroline. “At least for now.”

Caroline leaned against the wall, her body trembling from exhaustion and the lingering effects of their escape. “What if they find us?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“They won’t,” Lucian assured her, his eyes fierce with determination. “We’ll be careful. We just need to rest for a bit and then figure out our next move.”

Lucian’s gaze softened as he looked at her. Caroline’s clothes were torn and stained, remnants of their harrowing journey. Blood smeared her skin, a stark reminder of the dangers they had faced. “You need to clean up,” he said gently. “Let me help you.”

She hesitated, the vulnerability of the moment washing over her. But there was a warmth in Lucian’s eyes, a tenderness that made her feel safe. “Okay,” she whispered, her resolve crumbling.

He led her to the small kitchenette, where a sink sat beneath a grimy window. To their surprise, the water still ran, albeit slowly. Lucian turned on the tap, and clear water trickled out, a small miracle in their dire situation.

“Here,” he said, grabbing a cloth from a nearby drawer. “Let me help you.”

Caroline felt a shiver run down her spine as Lucian gently took her hand, guiding her to the sink. He wet the cloth, then began to wipe away the blood from her arms, his touch tender and careful.

“Just breathe,” he murmured, his voice soothing as he worked. The cloth glided over her skin, and she could feel the coolness of the water contrasting with the warmth of Lucian’s hands. The blood was thick and dark, but with each stroke, he removed the remnants of their escape, revealing her alabaster skin beneath.

As he washed her, Lucian’s gaze was focused, his brow furrowed in concentration. He took his time, ensuring every trace of blood was gone. His fingers brushed against her collarbone, and Caroline felt a shiver of awareness pulse through her. The intimacy of the moment enveloped them, a sanctuary amidst the chaos outside. Caroline feels the blood on her chest beginning  to dry and crust. She tries to reach for the rag Lucian is holding to wash her chest off but he doesn’t let go of it and starts wiping off her chest for her, she blushes as she remembers that night when she was 18. 

She remembers vividly how he treated her and made her feel so good and alive. He even helped clean her up afterward, while she tended to the wounds she left on his back. She remembers cleaning off the blood that surfaced from scratching his back a little too hard in the heat of the moment, like how he is doing now. 

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion as he rinsed the cloth and continued his careful ministrations.

“You don’t have to thank me,” he replied softly, his eyes locking onto hers. “I’d do anything for you.”

With the blood washed away, Caroline felt a sense of relief wash over her. Lucian stepped back, allowing her a moment of privacy as she took a deep breath. She glanced around the cabin, taking in their surroundings once more.

“Let’s make ourselves comfortable,” Lucian suggested, nodding toward the couch. “We can rest for a bit before we figure out what to do next.”

They settled onto the worn couch, the fabric rough against their skin but surprisingly comfortable. Lucian pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as they sank into the cushions. The cabin was quiet, the only sounds were the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a bird.

Caroline leaned into him, feeling the warmth radiating from his body. It was a stark contrast to the chill that had settled in her bones from their flight. “What if they find us?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“They won’t,” Lucian repeated, his voice firm. “We’ll hear them coming. And if we need to, we’ll leave before they get too close.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their situation pressing down on them. But in this small cabin, surrounded by the safety of the forest, they found a moment of peace.

“I never thought I’d end up here,” Caroline said, her voice thoughtful. “I always imagined my life would be different.”

Lucian turned to her, his expression serious. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know,” she replied, her gaze drifting to the window. “I thought I’d have a normal life, a job, maybe a family. But now… everything’s changed.”

“Sometimes life takes unexpected turns,” Lucian said quietly. “But we’ll find a way through this. Together.”

Caroline nodded, feeling a flicker of hope in his words. They had been through so much, and yet they were still standing. “Together,” she echoed, leaning her head against his shoulder.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the cabin was bathed in a warm golden light. They sat in comfortable silence, the world outside fading away.

After a while, Lucian shifted slightly, breaking the stillness. “We should probably think about food,” he said, glancing at the kitchenette. “We need to keep our strength up if we’re going to keep running.”

Caroline nodded, her stomach growling in agreement. “What do you think we can find?”

Lucian’s expression turned serious. “We need blood. And while I wish we could find something more palatable, we’ll have to hunt.”

Caroline felt a thrill of excitement mixed with apprehension. “You mean…?”

“Yes,” Lucian said, his eyes gleaming with a predatory intensity. “We need to go out and find something to drink. It’s part of who we are.”

With a shared understanding, they rose from the couch, the urgency of their situation propelling them forward. Lucian led the way, stepping cautiously out of the cabin and into the cool night air. The forest was alive with sounds�"the rustle of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, and the occasional snap of twigs underfoot.

“Stay close,” Lucian instructed, his voice low and steady. They moved through the trees, their senses heightened, scanning for any signs of life. The moon hung high above, casting a silvery glow that illuminated their path.

After a short while, they came across a clearing where a small herd of deer grazed peacefully. Lucian’s gaze sharpened, and he turned to Caroline, his voice barely a whisper. “This is it. We need to be quick and quiet.”

Caroline nodded, her heart racing. She felt the familiar pull of hunger within her, a primal instinct that urged her to act. Lucian crouched low, signaling her to do the same as they moved closer to the unsuspecting animals.

With a swift motion, Lucian sprang forward, his movements fluid and graceful. Caroline followed closely, her instincts kicking in as they approached the nearest deer. In a flash, Lucian was upon it, and Caroline felt the rush of adrenaline as she joined him, her fangs extending in anticipation.

The hunt was quick and efficient, a dance of predator and prey. They fed, the warm liquid filling their mouths, invigorating and sustaining them. As they drank, the world around them faded, and all that mattered was the connection they shared in this primal act.

When they finally pulled away, their thirst quenched, they stepped back into the shadows of the trees. Lucian wiped the blood from his lips, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. “That should hold us for a while,” he said, his voice low and husky.

Caroline nodded, feeling a surge of strength coursing through her. “Let’s head back,” she suggested, a sense of urgency returning as they moved back toward the cabin.

Once inside, they settled back onto the couch, the warmth of their recent meal still lingering in their bodies. The cabin felt like a sanctuary, a temporary haven from the chaos of their lives.

With Lucian’s warmth beside her and the flickering light of the fire casting shadows on the walls, Caroline finally allowed herself to relax. They would face whatever came next, together.

And for now, in this moment, they were safe.