11-21-2017, 04:44 PM
Natalie took a moment to steel herself. The only weapon she had was an untamed power and the instinct to wield it; a damn sight better than nothing. But blocking the tunnel had exhausted her, and the sweetness of it now burned with as much pain as it did joy. The warning shocked through her, and she dropped it again, unable to keep hold any longer than seconds. It'd burn right through her, merciless, if she let it. The temptation was there. At least she'd die fighting. Instead she listened to her own shallow breathing, and waited. Biding her time.
Until her name rang in the darkness. She frowned, immediately tense. It wasn't recognition of her name so much as recognition of the voice. An impossible voice, and for a moment suspicion of some foul mimicry clouded any sense of relief. Her muscles corded like wire. The power hovered an inch from ravaging a path through her veins, consequences be damned -- despite hushed assurances of it's me it's me as someone moved closer in the dark. Arms surrounded her. A laugh that touched something deep in her chest.
Defensiveness died, but she still stood stiffly, not quite able to process it, nor much of what he said. Some small part of her refused the comfort, afraid of what it might erode. The barest movement could press her forehead against his chest, but she denied herself the temptation; she felt it far too keenly to trust. Instead her face tilted upwards, searching, though she couldn't see much of anything in the darkness, let alone the familiar lines of his face.
Still impossible, but for now she adapted rather than questioned. Something determined set her jaw, and she shifted to get free, cuts stinging but easily ignored. She didn't go far, only moved her back to him as though to shield him from whatever pursued her. One hand reached behind to grasp his softly at the wrist. She'd heard gunshots before, guessed Jay was armed. That likely left no threat behind now, just the doctor. She was fairly certain Pavlo wanted her alive, and not at all certain what he might do to Jay. But could a bullet work quicker than the other man's control of the rock? Too much risk.
"He'll bring the ceiling down on us. He nearly did once already,"
she whispered.
Until her name rang in the darkness. She frowned, immediately tense. It wasn't recognition of her name so much as recognition of the voice. An impossible voice, and for a moment suspicion of some foul mimicry clouded any sense of relief. Her muscles corded like wire. The power hovered an inch from ravaging a path through her veins, consequences be damned -- despite hushed assurances of it's me it's me as someone moved closer in the dark. Arms surrounded her. A laugh that touched something deep in her chest.
Defensiveness died, but she still stood stiffly, not quite able to process it, nor much of what he said. Some small part of her refused the comfort, afraid of what it might erode. The barest movement could press her forehead against his chest, but she denied herself the temptation; she felt it far too keenly to trust. Instead her face tilted upwards, searching, though she couldn't see much of anything in the darkness, let alone the familiar lines of his face.
Still impossible, but for now she adapted rather than questioned. Something determined set her jaw, and she shifted to get free, cuts stinging but easily ignored. She didn't go far, only moved her back to him as though to shield him from whatever pursued her. One hand reached behind to grasp his softly at the wrist. She'd heard gunshots before, guessed Jay was armed. That likely left no threat behind now, just the doctor. She was fairly certain Pavlo wanted her alive, and not at all certain what he might do to Jay. But could a bullet work quicker than the other man's control of the rock? Too much risk.
"He'll bring the ceiling down on us. He nearly did once already,"
she whispered.