Chapter Twelve

Samara

The sunlight shined harshly on my face as it forced me awake. I groaned and rolled around on the hard floor, feeling each of my muscles come back to life as if they hadn’t been used in centuries.

I sighed, keeping my eyes closed for a second more before rallying myself enough to get up. I stretched long and wide as I made my way to the pool, washing my face and staring at my wavy reflection.

I couldn’t help but think of Ethan and Ailia. The way the cared for each other was something I secretly longed for, but knew I’d never really have. They truly worried for the other’s well-being. It’s such a rare occurrence nowadays. It was nice to have a pleasant vision. It’s been awhile since my last one, but I had a feeling that there was something more going on that I wasn’t aware of. Something that needed my attention. But like with all my other visions, I only get one part of the story. If it’s something I need to worry over, I’ll know it soon enough.

I looked around for my traveling companion, and found him leaning against the wall, his head hanging low as he slept. I walked over, crouching on my tip toes in front of him. His purplish-brown mohawk was scattered on his head like he was running his hands through it all night.

Hands…

I peered towards his hands, remembering the feel of them against my own. Remembering how I felt, but also, how I felt immediately afterwards. It was all just so unusual, but I couldn’t deny that I found him fascinating.

“If you stare any longer, I’m going to have to charge you.”

I gasped, covering my mouth with one hand as I fell on my bottom. His amber eyes stared at me with mischief. His lips weren’t quite smiling, but his entire expression revealed amusement.

“I’m so sorry.” I said quietly as I rose from the ground and practically ran towards the water in an attempt to put space between us. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“But you meant to gawk at me?” I heard his footsteps approach behind me before he appeared right by my side.

“I’m not sure gawking is what I would call it.” I watched him rinse his face in the pool and stare up at the vines.

“Oh yeah?” he half-scoffed. “Then what would you call it?”

I thought about that for a moment before answering. “Gaining insight.”

He chortled briefly at my remark. “Insight? On?”

“Why Soren would want to torture you.”

His scowl returned as if it had never left his face for even a moment. “He needed information. He thought I had that for him.”

“And did you?”

He scrutinized me then. His eyes seeming to take in my whole being. “I think it’s time we move on.”

Aryan’s reluctance to answer me was intriguing, and before I could stop myself, my thoughts slipped out. “You truly don’t trust me, do you?”

“Why should I?” he shrugged as his brows pulled together at the exact moment he sized me up. “Because you helped me out with Soren? Got me out of the jam we were in last night? So, what? You’re a stranger. The only thing I know about you is your name. Maybe.”

I frowned a bit. I could have sworn we had a bit of a connection. We were both something other than human, but perhaps that is not enough. Truthfully, I can’t fault him. To Aryan, I’m just this weird girl that assisted him when he needed it. I shouldn’t expect a friend let alone cooperation from him. The fact that we got on this well so far is miraculous, really.

Something about me caused Aryan to frown for the briefest second as he said, “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate you helping me out, but I don’t trust anyone. Especially not whatever the hell you seem to be.”

Solemnly, I nodded my head. “Of course.” I tried my best to act like his words didn’t affect me, but I wasn’t sure I was pulling it off. “We should part ways then.” I turned away from him, heading for the doorway that led back into the cavern. “Thank you, Aryan.”

“For?” he asked incredulously.

“Soren’s soldiers. They could have captured me as well had you not pulled me into the forest.” I smiled at him, taking one more look at his handsome features. Those uniquely colored amber eyes were something I would never forget. “Good luck.”

“Hold on.” He called, annoyed, but I did not turn around. It was better to just move on. I had a lot of foreign ground to cover, and the sooner I began, the faster I could formulate a proper plan. “I said, hold on.” Aryan jumped in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. “Where do you think you’re going to go? It’s not like you have a home.” As soon as he said it, he screwed his mouth up in this irritated way before sighing. “I didn’t mean to say that.”

“It’s fine.” My smile felt tight. “You speak the truth. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” he mumbled to himself. “Look, Samara, I don’t trust you, but… you don’t seem like you’re out to get me, and… I am sort of responsible for what happened in Curio… so… let me repay the favor. I’ll take you where you want to go in Arcanum, but then that’s it. After that, we’re through.” He folded his arms in front of himself. His stance oddly combative. It made me want to laugh some, but I refused the urge. I didn’t want Aryan any madder at me than he might be already.

I nodded slowly. “There’s no need. You shouldn’t force yourself to assist me.”

“It’s fine.” He said curtly as he walked past me. “Now hurry up and come over here. We have to go. We’ve spent too long here.”

I watched Aryan walk over to the water and stare up at the skylight.

I stood beside him as I asked, “Wouldn’t it be better to go back through the cave?”

He shook his head. “No. There’s more of a chance we’ll run into those boulders, and with no shadows to keep us hidden, they’ll probably spot us. But…” he wore a crooked smirk as he stared at the vines. “… My gut is telling me this is the way to go. Hope you don’t have a thing about heights.”

“I don’t, but how do you suggest we get up there?”

“The vines.” He pointed to the thick green vines that were scattered throughout the watering hole. “If we can grab one, we should be able to pull ourselves up. They look like they’ll hold us no problem.”

“I can get it.” I looked at the thick vines and thought of one of them swinging my way. I put my hand out and coaxed it, like I did other plants to grow. But instead of growth, I asked it to come to me. I asked it to lend me its strength in order to escape, and in response, the vine started to wiggle and swing until it landed in my hand, securely.

I smiled up at Aryan, but then stopped when I saw his expression. He didn’t seem scared of me like the many others I have come across. Instead, he just wore his insatiably curious façade. “How’d you do that?”

“I…” I thought of avoiding the question, but something in me said not to. “I just called to it. I’ve always been good with plants.”

“No kidding, but lucky for us.” He grabbed the vine, wrapping it around his wrist and foot as he got ready to climb. “I’ll go up first and make sure it’s safe. I’ll call down to you, so you can come up after. I’ll pull you up if that’s easier.”

“Alright,” I agreed, watching him lift his body up the vine like it was something he did daily.

I made sure to keep the vine steady and as close to the edge of the skylight as I could. I don’t think Aryan noticed. Which, truthfully, might not be a bad thing. He asked a lot of questions. Perhaps, more than me. And I found that I did not want to lie to him, but I also didn’t want to give insufficient responses—which is precisely all I can give him being that I don’t know much more about my own abilities than he does.

After a few more seconds, Aryan lifted himself over the edge of the hole. Even though he did not give me the go ahead, I started to climb up the vine—using my powers over the wind to help make myself lighter as I ascended.

Aryan poked his head out just as I was nearly to the top. His eyes widened a bit, impressed. “You were supposed to wait until I told you it was safe.”

He put his arm out. I grasped it as he pulled me to the top, our bodies closer than they’ve been since we’ve met. “Well, you didn’t scream, so I assumed it was safe.”

“Funny.” He smirked, and then put an arm’s length of space between us as soon as he noticed how close we were.