The exile, smiling victoriously, swung his boot out again, this time colliding with the same side of my face that had already taken too many hard knocks. He aimed the gun.
I saw his trigger-finger twitch. But I was already moving. Using the speed that Phoenix had gifted me, and ignoring the pain that shot through my leg and hand, I sliced the arrow across my wrist and threw it straight and true into the exile’s chest. The gun went off as I flung my body hard to the left, managing to protect my heart, catching the bullet in my shoulder as reward.
Panting hard, I kept my eyes on the exile the whole time, watching his smile disappear just before he did. And as soon as he was gone, I saw beyond, to where Lincoln stood, exactly where I’d seen him last, when I’d begged him to trust me.
And my heart stuttered to life.
Because he had.
CHaPteR tweNty-SeVeN
‘Things do not change; we change.’
Henry David Thoreau
‘Can you walk?’ Lincoln asked, his voice controlled but strained.
It was a good question.
The fact was, I was stunned stupid and it had nothing to do with the bullet or various other injuries.
‘I think so,’ I said, desperately trying to rally. ‘You didn’t help me,’ I blurted, clearly failing.
He paused, looming over me, eyebrow raised. ‘You asked me to trust you. I do.’ He held out his hand and I took it, still dazed as he pulled me to my feet. He focused his attention on my shoulder and methodically checked the entry and exit wounds until he was satisfied. He gestured to my hand. ‘Broken?’
‘Yes.’
‘There could be more on the way. We need to get back to the safe house,’ Lincoln said, keeping his eyes on our surroundings, all while mine stared dumbly at him.
‘Were you hurt?’ I asked.
He glanced at me briefly, then away.
‘What’s wrong?’ I asked, swaying a little as I adjusted my weight to the leg that hurt the least.
His eyes shot to me then, overflowing with so much emotion that some of it spilled into me so hard I staggered back a step.
I gasped.
Fear. Conflict. Concern. Desperation. Longing … Love.
He shook his head as if he knew I could sense it all. ‘You’re bleeding and broken, Violet, and I stood by and let it happen. I’m trying here, but … Jesus, let’s just get you back so I can …’ He closed his eyes and drew a deep, shuddering breath before opening them again, resigned. ‘So you can fix yourself.’
I nodded and let him put my good arm around his neck as we jogged towards the safe house. I tried, unsuccessfully, to ignore the pain. But it was starting to become abundantly clear that the real pain was not about to go away. Not unless I was willing to do something about it.
Sneaking the odd glance at Lincoln while he helped support my weight, I didn’t know what to make of the night. He’d only been back in my life for a handful of days and already I was starting to question everything.
I’d left for a reason.
A good reason.
I’d consoled myself day and night that my motives had been valid. If I’d stayed behind I honestly believed that he would have died, but something … He was different. Changed in a way that can only occur through time and contemplation.
I paused as we reached the gates to the safe house.
‘Are you okay?’ Lincoln asked, worry creasing his forehead.
I nodded, but really, I wasn’t okay.
Not even close.
Because I realised one other thing.
‘I’ve changed too,’ I admitted to myself, not noticing I’d said the words aloud until Lincoln’s hand brushed the hair back from my bloodied face.
He tilted my chin until my eyes met his.
Beautifully green, even in the dark.
‘Some things never change, Vi,’ he said, his voice husky, his fingers lingering on my face.
I was faintly aware of the blood dripping from my fingers as my arm hung limp at my side. I also vaguely noticed that lights had come on, flooding the area around us, and that voices were nearing. But only one thing held my focus. Kept me grounded.
I stared into Lincoln’s eyes and I knew he was the only one who would ever truly see me.
Suddenly, he broke eye contact and everything else came rushing towards me. The light, the people, the noise.
‘What the hell have you done now?’ Phoenix hissed, pushing others aside until he was in front of me.
I hobbled around to face him. ‘I’m fine.’
But of course, he didn’t bother listening to me and had already turned on Lincoln, shoving him in the chest. ‘You’re supposed to protect her! Not bring her back in pieces!’
Lincoln stepped into Phoenix’s space, still managing to keep a supportive arm around me. ‘She’s already in pieces!’ he growled, his nose almost touching Phoenix’s. ‘And we’re the ones who did it to her. Or have you forgotten that part?’
Phoenix’s jaw clenched at Lincoln’s words, but his eyes flashed to mine just long enough for me to glimpse his pain and guilt.
‘Phoenix, I’m okay,’ I said with a sigh.