CHAPTER 013

Into the Future

Samantha’s POV

Every step muffled by the thick underbrush, the gloom appeared more pronounced in the forest. As we descended into the woods, my heart thumped and the sound of my own breathing rang clear in my ears. Adrian was ahead of me; his posture was tight and his eyes looked around for activity. Though we tried so hard to vanish, I couldn't get rid of the sensation that something—or someone—was trailing us.

Pulling my jacket closer, I shivered. The temperature had fallen, chilly air stinging on my flesh. Though the jungle provided no landmarks or sense of direction, we had been trekking for what felt like hours. Though my legs hurt and I was tired, the terror chewing at me kept me continuing. One had no choice except stopping. Not with whatever had shriveled in the distance only seconds ago.

Adrian stopped abruptly, his hand flying to seize my arm and drag me to a stop. I listened, then held my breath. Once more there was that low, guttural sound. There was something outside. It was also not friendly.

"Adrian... " I murmured, my voice hardly heard.

He turned to me, his eyes focused hard, but I could feel the strain under them. "Stay near to me." Say nothing.

My heart thumping in my chest, I nodded. Twice of telling was not necessary. We wanted nothing to deal with, whatever was hiding out here.

We began to move once more, more carefully now. The forest appeared to close in all around us, the tall trees creating lengthy shadows that distorted my vision. Every leaf rustle or limb break sent a bolt of terror across me. Though I attempted to keep my breathing regular and to stay focused, the horror was too much.

Then I heard it, a sharp crack like the sound of someone heavy walking on a limb.

I froze.

Adrian's fingers clenched around mine, his grasp firm, yet I sensed his own doubt. Between the woods and whatever was stalking us, we were imprisoned. Running was not a choice; standing here and waiting for it to find us was not any better.

"I believe we should—”

Something shot fast and furious from the shadows before I could complete my statement. Before Adrian tugged me to the side, dragging me behind him as he raised his arm in protection, I hardly had time to notice the movement.

The man shot at us, and in the thin moonlight I glimpsed piercing, hungry eyes. Still, this wasn't an animal. It was a man, a man whose lethal accuracy made my blood stop cold.

Adrian confronted him squarely, shoving the ground below with such power that it trembled. The first strike missed. As the two of them hit, the impact was loud, forceful, and I staggered back trying to keep on my feet.

The man moved quickly; Adrian moved even faster. He sidestepped the second strike, whirling the assailant's arm behind his back in such quick motion that I gasped. Still, the assailant persisted even as Adrian took front stage. As if his only objective was to hurt—no matter the cost—he battled with a sort of careless recklessness.

I froze, staring wide as the struggle played out. Nothing I have seen before matched this. Although Adrian was robust, this man... He battled like a machine, cold, analytical.

The assailant abruptly turned out from Adrian's hold and landed a strike that knocked him staggered back. My hands rushing to my mouth, I gasped. Adrian got back fast, his eyes flashing with rage, but the man continued. He persisted, always showing up.

Adrian grabbed him by the throat and drove him against a tree with such force that I started to wince. The man's eyes grew shocked, and for a fleeting moment Adrian appeared to have won. Suddenly, though, the assailant drew a knife from his belt and sliced Adrian's side.

"No!." I cried, the sound tearing over the evening.

Clutching his side, Adrian staggered back as blood leaked between his fingers. My pulse pounding, I hurried forward until Adrian held up a hand and stopped me. Panic shot through me.

"Stay back," he said, his voice taut with agony.

Clearly battered but not vanquished, the assailant lifted himself off the tree, his knife glistening in the moonlight. As he moved on Adrian once more, the sword poised to strike, I stared in dread.

I could not only stand there. Adrian could not battle this man by himself. I grabbed the closest branch without thinking, hoisting it over my head as I charged ahead. The assailant saw nothing of me approaching. He was unduly preoccupied with Adrian.

I swung the branch with all the power I possessed and caught the man across the rear. He gritted sharply, staggered forward, his hold on the knife slackening. Adrian seized the chance and twisted the man to the ground using his arm.

The man dropped hard on the ground, the knife clattering from his hand. Adrian hesitate no more. His face a mask of wrath, he crouched down and pushed his knee into the man's chest.

"Who forwarded to you?" Demand Adrian made, his voice lethal.

With his lips twisting into a snarl, the man shot upward. you know who?

"Jared" Adrian opened his mouth to growl the name.

The man did not reply, but his eyes told plenty. This is what Jared was doing. He has dispatched this killer to find us. To murder us.

Adrian's palm tightened around the man's throat, his expression black with rage. Tell me his whereabouts.

Though he didn't say, the man coughed and blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. He simply grinned, a frigid, merciless expression that made my back shudder.

"You won't find him," the man said, raspy. "He's already won.".

Adrian tightened his hold, but I moved forward to lay a palm on his shoulder. stop, Adrian.

His eyes wild with wrath, he stared up at me, but after a time he released the man and stood slowly. The killer lay there panting for air, but I knew he would not provide any more explanations. Whatever Jared had in mind, it was already under way.

Adrian turned to me, his face softening just a little. "We must keep on our path.

I nodded, though under me my legs felt weak. I was shivering; the excitement was running through me and it was difficult to think. But I knew Adrian had the truth. This was not done.

We passed the man and headed farther into the jungle, leaving him behind. Still, I couldn't get rid of the sense of time running short as we strolled.

Once we arrived at the edge of the woodland, footfall resounded once more among the trees. Looking at Adrian, anxiety wriggling at my chest.

I said softly, "We're not alone."

From the darkness, then, a familiar voice cried out.

"I have waited for you."