Chapter VIII

Aelin thought that she was dreaming, she was still alive. Days after the explosion, when she woke up, she thought that it was all a joke but then she came to her senses and realized that everything was more than real. They were located in one of his many houses as he stated, she had bruises all over and actually burnt parts on her neck, forehead, hands and legs, small but they still existed. She couldn't believe everything she has been trough but the fact that he saved her once again was at the top of her list and the way he looked at her made her think that maybe it was his top of the list too. Her recovery was slow but the pills and ointments he gave her were quite a big help. She was thankful for that but it wasn't enough, she needed answers and although he already screamed in her face that she shouldn't know shit about everything that was going on, Aelin finally mustered the courage to fight back for some truths. One day, at dawn, she found him in the kitchen sipping on rum and starring outside the windows with a calm posture. Aelin thought that maybe it was ok to try it now, to play it cool and give it a go with her questions, although she knew that she was walking on thin ice with him given his personality and actually his whole existence, she also knew that right now they were hiding, hiding from something or someone, when people are hiding they fill the spot of the hunted in the story and Aelin believed that for once she could screw logic and fight for a change of the script.

- May I?

Her voice was faint and the longer she waited for his response the more she thought that maybe she wasn't heard. She opened her mouth but he cut her short :

- Is there a way that you won't?

- Won't what?

- Ask me anything?

The last sentence brought them eye to eye. His were dark and hers were pleading, after a moment of silence he gave in and she was thrilled.

- One question at a time, I'll answer as honestly as I can, no interruptions and once I say stop don't bother to press on me, it's a lost battle anyways.

Once she heard that, it was about to go down for sure.

- Who's after us?

- Enemies.

- Are we safe here?

- Maybe, maybe not.

- How much time we got?

- 48 hours in here, then we move again.

-Why did you saved me ? You could have killed me and be on your way out of this town .

He dazed for a split second which made her contemplate on what could have been his answer but after he finally spoke, Aelin admitted that she was nowhere near the truth.

- Miss Mercer, you sure know how to pester someone, but if it suits your tastes then so be it . Someone wants my head along with yours which is kind of funny since I am the only person that knows you saw me killing that man, although I'm not sure of your purpose in this cocky plan , I'm willing to bet my money on the fact that you'll serve me better alive .

She froze .

The last question brought her closer to him.

- Will I get out of here alive?

Her voice was soft and he looked at her with no emotion. He wasn't answering yet he gave her his word he would. Or maybe his silence was a hidden answer in itself but she started to panic because she couldn't figure it out so she snapped .

- Answer me bastard!! Am I going to get out of here alive or not?

Her loud voice brought him on his feet, aiming straight for her, he came inches away of her face and whispered in her ears with a faint harsh tone yet calm and amused. His smell was filling her nostrils, and his body felt like it was about to swallow her up, leaving her with a tingling sensation inside her belly. She cowardly lowered her eyes and listened his words as if they were a threat.

-Sleep tight, Aelin!