His eyes sparkle with mischief as he grins at me. “Handsome rogue, huh?”
Despite the danger surrounding us, being with Cal makes everything less daunting. His presence comforts me and reminds me I’m not alone in this wild adventure.
We navigate cautiously around the trap, using our knowledge of the terrain and heightened senses to avoid further surprises. The moon peeks through overhead branches, casting an eerie glow on the forest floor below us.
Suddenly, a twig snaps, followed by rustling leaves and crunching footsteps behind us. My breathinggrows uneven as fear grips me, but Cal’s reassuring hand in mine keeps me grounded.
“Almost there,” he whispers, his voice steady and comforting. “Just stay sharp, and we’ll be okay.”
As we sprint through the woods, my mind drifts back to all those times I craved adventure and yearned for something more than just ordinary life. But here I am now, danger biting at my heels and two clans’ destinies hanging in the balance, and my efforts to emulate the daring Elektra are falling short.
“Come on, BE Elektra,” I mutter, startled by the resolve resonating in my voice.
Bounding through the shadowy labyrinth of trees, I overhear Cal, trying to suppress a chuckle. “Aye, Mills,” he whispers over his shoulder. “If ye’ve got any secret ninja moves up yer sleeve, now would be the time to reveal them.”
As I dodge low-hanging branches and leap over gnarled roots, I have to roll my eyes at his comment. But beneath my feigned annoyance at his cheesy jokes, an unfamiliar warmth blossoms in my chest. Even in a mad dash through the forest, Cal has this uncanny ability to make me feel treasured. It’s a sensation as foreign as it is addictive.
Feeling the reassuring warmth of his hand in mine, I swallow a surge of courage. We’re out of the deepest part of the woods and on our way to Loch Ness, our future hanging in the balance with every step we take.
Just when I think the Scottish hills can’t get any more dramatic, a chorus of distant cries echoes off their rugged slopes, sending an unexpected chill tap-dancing down my spine.
“Cal,” I hiss, giving his hand a nervous squeeze. “We’re not alone!”
His eyes flicker with determination as the chilling sound of metal scraping against leather fills the silence—he’s drawn his sword.
“Right ye are, Mills,” he replies in a low, steady voice. “Let’s pick up the pace.”
We quicken our steps, trying to leave our chasers in the dust while keeping our bearings towards the loch. The terrain is a total nightmare, uneven and littered with roots and rocks that seem hell-bent on tripping me up. My lungs feel on fire, but I keep going because stopping isn’t an option.
I glance at him just in time to catch him looking back at me, his eyes scanning our surroundings for danger. The sounds of our pursuers grow louder behind us, their footfalls echoing ominously through the undergrowth. But Cal’s confident strides and occasional reassuring glances keep me grounded, making every second of this wild chase feel oddly intimate and exhilarating.
Risking a look back, I catch sight of shadowy figures weaving between trees, their faces shrouded in darkness. Fear tries to choke me, but I force it down,focusing instead on Cal beside me and the path ahead.
We’re so close now, the loch and our future just within reach. All we need to do is keep running, keep fighting, and trust each other. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll live to tell this tale.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The earthbeneath our feet abruptly gives out, revealing a narrow ravine with dangerous, jagged edges. Cal’s boots skid on loose gravel as he stops short, eyes wide as he takes in the obstacle in front of us. I can see the decision forming in his mind—face the dangers behind us or leap into uncertainty?
“We have to jump,” I blurt, my voice surprisingly steady even though my legs are not.
“Together,” he agrees, reaching for my hand. His fingers intertwine with mine, and something warm and solid unfurls inside me—courage, maybe? Without wasting another second, I sprint towards the edge of the ravine.
As I jump into the void, time seems to slow down. The wind whips through my hair, and adrenaline pumps through my veins likehigh-octane fuel. Then it’s over as quickly as it began; my feet hit solid ground on the other side and buckle underneath me.
I whirl around to find Cal still on the other side. My heart lodges firmly in my throat as I watch him prepare for his jump. But then he’s running, leaping across with an effortless grace that leaves me breathless.
He lands next to me, chest rising and falling rapidly. Despite our dire situation, he’s still achingly gorgeous: flushed cheeks and tousled hair against the backdrop of danger.
“Not bad for a city girl,” he teases.
“Not bad for a sea-soaked barnacle.” I grin back at him.
We quickly duck behind a large boulder to catch our breaths. The cool roughness of the rock against my back contrasts with Cal’s warmth beside me, creating a comforting yet electrifying sensation.
“Quite the close call,” I pant out. “I guess we can add ‘ravine jumping’ to our list of skills.”
Cal chuckles softly. “Aye, we could totally win the Aven Valley Highland Games. No contest.”
