Whispers in the Shadows

Elena's Point of view:

Oh, how noble. How predictable she said, her voice sarcastic. But tell me, Orion, how will you rescue her this time since you couldn save the others? Her comments felt to him like a physical blow; I could see it in the way his shoulders tensed.

He answered nothing; instead his jaw tightened.Glancing at him, I questioned, "What is she talking about? He snarled, "Not now, Elena," but his voice faltered.

The animals broke through the suspense with great speed. Orion shoved me back just as claws tore over the ground where I had been standing a second earlier."Run!," he yelled, but I stopped staring at Marie.

Her hand lifted and her eyes sparkled with malevolent intent.

Her fingertips throbbed with energy, and the air around us got weighty.

Then, grinning, she said, "Let's see how strong your bond really is.

"The earth cracked under us, and Orion's fingers slid from mine as we plunged down.

"You think you can protect me, but you can't even protect yourself," I said, my voice quivering as Orion crept nearer, his gaze sharp and uncompromising.

"Don't," he hissed, with a warning in his voice. His hand flew out to seize my wrist.

"Don't say that once more, Elena. "I stepped back and jerked my arm away, creating spooky shadows across his face as the dim moonlight poured through the broken cathedral windows.

" Why not? Since it is factual?" I challenged, my heart racing, from the fury blazin between us rather than from anxiety.

"Because I won't let you go," he murmured firmly, his voice a deep rumbling that sent chills down my spine.

"Never again. Never once."My breath stopped, the unvarnished feeling in his words smashing into me.

" Orion, you keep repeating that.

But you vanish every time I need you, I definitely need you."His shoulders stiffened as though bearing the weight of a thousand whispered truths, his mouth clenched.

His voice rising, he said, "You have no idea what I have done to keep you safe."Tell me then, please.

Tears threatening to pour, I yelled back. "Tell me so I might stop believing I'm fighting this war alone!"Story: Captivating Feelings and Growing StressBetween us the air was packed with frustration, yearning, and something none of us dared to define. His gaze softened for a time; his fingers twitched as though he wanted to reach for me but lacked confidence in himself.

At last, his words were almost audible, "I can't.

"Then you're no better than the creatures following us," I said, the words slicing over the stillness like a razor.His face clouded, but before he could reply, the blood in my veins froze at a terrifying howl across the darkness.

"They found us," he continued, his voice like a razor knife." How?" Panic coloring my words, I asked."Does it matter?" he said, snatching my arm and dragging me toward the broken door.

I balked, firmly setting my feet.

No! Orion, I am not running anymore. We contested. Collectively. With a clearly desperate voice, "You don't understand what we're up against!" he said.

"Then make me understand!" My voice cracking, I yelled back.

He turned to meet me, his hands softly touching my face to contrast the anarchy all about.

His voice raw and vulnerable, he replied, "I'd rather die than lose you.""Then stop pushing me away," I said, heart hurting as his forehead landed on mine.

The moment broke when the ground shook and a black force surged through the earth.

An unexpected hazard Shoving me aside as a large black wolf sprang from the shadows, Orion yelled, "Elena, move!" with glowing red eyes locked on us.

Adrenaline running, I jumped to my feet as Orion fought the beast, his motions a lethal ballet of force and accuracy.

"Orion!" I yelled, but the snarls of the thing drowned out my voice and the crash of their struggle twisted suspensefulness a hand clenched over my lips dragging me back into the darkness before I could get to him. I battled; my cries muted as I was hauled away.

A familiar voice snarled in my ear, "Quiet, darling," sending a tsunami of horror and identification across me.

"Maria?" I gasped; the name hardly came out of my mouth.

Her eyes shining with hate, she grinned maliciously.

"Miss me!"Orion's shocked look as he turned, too late, to stop her was the last thing I saw before darkness engulfed me. Marie's words crawled through my ears, her hold tightening as I fought against her.

"Quiet, darling."

Enough head twisting allowed me to hiss, "What the hell are you doing? "Her laughter was eerie, like a monster relishing its victim reverberating in the night. "Oh, Elena, still quite young. Really, did you believe the game was just between Orion and you? Sweetheart, there is a far more overall picture.

You just showed no effort to look.

Let me get going!" I insisted, trying to pound on her foot.She sidestepped naturally, her strength shockingly terrible. "We cannot have it, tsk tsk. You wouldn't want to dash the surprise.

What astonishment?" My voice shook even if I tried to seem rebellious.

Marie moved forward, her breath warm on my ear. "You'll find shortly enough. First, though, we have to get you somewhere secure, that is, safe for me at least.I battled more, but her iron hold was relentless.

Orion was fighting the terrible wolf out of the corner of my eye; his face wore a mask of dread and will.

Orion!" My voice breaking, I yelled.His head snapped toward me, his eyes grew horrified. His body jerked as the wolf's claws slashed across his chest, "Elena!" he yelled.

Marie laughed quietly. "See him; he is battling so valiantly for you. Such a shame he is ignorant of the truth.

"What reality?" My heart thumping, I demanded.Her teeth sparkled in the weak light as her smile grew wider. "You will work it out shortly enough. That is, should your night be survived.

She put something sharp against my neck, a knife whose blade hummed with black energy before I could understand her words.She advised not making things more difficult than it must be.