Chapter 9

“Dylan, you’re bleeding!” I gasp. I desperately try to soak it up using cobweb. It’s dark red, like rose-stained snow.

I suddenly remember what our Healer, Madal, taught us. Pressure. I hold the cobweb tightly, my hands trembling, and press it firmly against his side wound, wrapping it around. My chest tightens. My arms feel weak.

I hold my breath as little by little, it ceases, until there was no more. I let out a sigh of relief. “You’re okay?”

“Of course I’m okay,” he grumbles quietly. My gaze catches onto his hopefully. My heart sinks as he stares at me like he doesn’t know me. A cold glare.

I study his injuries, and decide that he will be okay by himself. It was all me that helped him, and not even a thank you? Ugh. Dylan glares at me. “What?”

I give an exasperated sigh.

“I hate you,” he lashes suddenly.

“I didn’t even say anything!” I glare at him, my face heating up, and whip around, stalking off. Who does he think he is? I scoff. The prince of provocation, probably.

“Raven!”

I turn around. Saber. I’ve been back for only a few minutes.

He looks delighted to see me. His face lights up. “Axel says that I have some free time! Do you want to go for a walk with me?” I smile. His eyes glint with energy. I can’t help but notice how his blonde hair matches the setting sun, and how his earthy gaze pair so well with his dark skin…

“So, yes or no?”

I blink myself out of it. “Oh…yes, sure!” I stammer.

He beams.

But…what if he accidentally spots Dylan? If he knows, he will blow his cover. I shake my head. That’s Dylan’s problem. He’s the one who refused my help.

“It’s such a nice evening, isn’t it?” Saber sighs. I look over. He’s staring into the trees. The sun, low in the sky, streaming through the dark green leaves. It’s like he only sees the beauty in life. “How do you…stay positive all the time?” I ask hesitantly.

“Life doesn’t last forever,” he replies. He stops and faces me, looking into my eyes. My chest flutters. “That’s why you got to cherish the good things.” He searches my face, looking for something. I don’t know what.

“Like…” he hesitates, and inches closer. My breath catches in my throat. “you’ve got to risk it.” His face is inches from mine.

A Pyra suddenly flies into the trees, the branches shaking, the leaves rustling. Saber suddenly sharply pulls away, his face reddening. “Never mind,” he mumbles awkwardly. “Wanna go back?”

I nod slowly, my mind racing, still processing what happened. We walk in silence for the entire walk back. I pretend to be unusually interested in the small stream we were following. I can’t tell what this feeling is.

“It’s so late,” Saber comments when we reach the entrance of the Eclipse camp. “Better head to bed.”

“Yeah,” I agree. He gazes at me for a moment longer, then murmurs, “Goodnight, Raven.”

“Night, Saber,” I say, still processing what happened only moments ago. I head to my room. The rooms in Eclipse are quite unique. Instead of one big building, each room is separate and scattered around the camp. More like…a tent.

I do my normal routine.

But when I get into my bed and throw my bed sheets over me, I can’t seem to sleep. My mind keeps drifting back to the memory of Saber…and it keeps me awake. I shuffle, turning to my side, then my stomach.

I don’t know when I dozed off, but the next second, bright sunlight is streaming through my window. I yawn, fatigue overwhelming me. I know I slept late. Suddenly a rush of thought hit me. I need to check on Dylan. Right. I sigh in frustration. How fun this is going to be.

“I didn’t think you would be back,” Dylan mumbles, his tone sharp. I push down the fear wanting to rack me. “I don’t want to, believe me. But for the sake of the Tribes, I unfortunately am,” I scoff. He stands up. “What is your plan anyway? Do you even have one?” He confronts. “Yes I do, stupid, can you stop questioning everything I say? Because OH MY GOSH, you’re annoying,” I practically scream at him. “Okay, okay, jeez,” Dylan mutters, turning away. I roll my eyes. “We-”

I suddenly break off as I hear roaring in the near distance. Coming from…the camp.

Dylan’s eyes narrow. “Change of plan, Raven. As much as I honestly hate working with someone as useless as you, there’s no choice.” I’m lit with rage. But I keep quiet, knowing whatever this is, I don’t have time to argue. “We need to join in whatever that is. If it’s in your territory, that means that Cobra ambushed them. This is a perfect distraction. Do you know where the pendant is?”

I don’t think so. Axel never showed anyone where he put it after I handed it to him. He’s definitely not wearing it…

I shake my head. “Axel didn’t tell me.”

“Come on, we’ll figure it out later.”

I squint. “Don’t tell me what to do.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Bet. Try me,” I challenge. Dylan scoffs. He swiped out his dagger sharply, and next thing I know, he has it hovered over my throat. I swallow, secretly grateful he wasn’t pressing it into my neck. My instincts take over, and I slap him. Hard. He recoils, and slides his dagger back into its sheath, his eyes cold.

“Huh,” Dylan mutters. “Brave of you.”

“I’ll come with you. But don’t assume this is over,” I add.

We walk quickly towards the camp. I hesitate. I can’t go in without defense. I look at Dylan’s fully equipped strap of weapons. “Can…can I have one?” I ask, gesturing to the weapons. “Big favor from me, right after you slapped me. Sounds so much like you,” he jeers. My face reddens. “But since I’m actually NICE, here.” He throws me a set of arrows and a bow. I catch it before it hits the ground. “You’re anything but nice,” I mutter under my breath. Either he didn’t hear me, or he is pretending not to.

The thing is, I’ve never used a bow. I’ve always used swords or knives. Never a bow. I sigh. Axel only taught me sword-fighting. Perhaps he forgot…

“What’s wrong now?” Dylan says. I can detect the frustration in his impatient tone. “I…um…”

“We don’t have all day, Raven.”

I sigh again. “I don’t know how to use a bow.” Dylan shakes his head and closes his eyes. “Okay.” Without warning, he steps behind me and holds the bow. “Come on.”

“Now is not the time to learn,” I snap.

“It’ll be quick.”

I grab it, and Dylan puts his hands over mine. I can feel the rise and fall of his chest as he adjusts the weapon.

“You pull back, and make sure the arrow is facing this way.” He points, and then equips it. I watch, wide eyed. “Then, you aim, and let go.” Dylan pulls it back even further, and lets go of the back hand. I let go with it. The arrow shoots towards a tree, and hits it, slightly to the right. I can’t help but admire.

“I think I should use a sword. Even if I know how to use it now, I’m not used to it,” I mumble.

Dylan sighs. “Fine.” He hands me a long, silver sword, and puts the arrows and bow back where it was.

“Hurry up now.”