Chapter 18

My lungs burn as they threaten to give way. Stars dance around me, blinking brightly. My head feels light. Darkness once again creeps’ forwards, plunging me into nothingness.

Sky blue eyes stare into mine as my eyes flutter open, beautiful and enchanting.

Who do these eyes belong to?

The person’s forehead presses against mine.

“You’re going to be the death of me,” a masculine voice croak.

I know that voice, my brain screams as terrorizing pain throbs in the base of my skull, keeping the memory at bay.

Soft and tender lips press against my forehead, large electric currents curse through my body. Shock waves of heat wash over me, kissing my chilled skin.

Pressure lifts off my waist as he shifts to the side of me and lies on his back.

His breathing is slow and shallow, he is almost panting.

“I know you said you wanted a shower, but I hope the bath did the job,” he says, calmly staring at the night sky.

With little strength, I manage to push his right arm.

“Yeah, it was the deathliest experience I ever had, plus I like my baths hot, without the rocks. I could still do with brushing my teeth,” I add, feeling the ruff texture that has now formed on them.

He lets out a small laugh. “At least you got the bubbles.”

“I cannot believe you just did that. You threw me of a cliff!” I yell, completely in shock. I am sure he has a death wish and unfortunately, I got dragged in.

“If I can remember correctly, you did once tell me to jump off a cliff.” He points at me.

“I meant alone.”

With our capture we have become more relaxed with one another, the static energy more easily ignored. I still need to ask about that, but now is not the time.

I sit up, slowly letting the dizziness subside. My legs have a bluish tint to them from the cold.

He slowly stands, gripping my hand he pulls me up. My body protests with agony, and a dull ache lingers at the back of my skull.

I wince.

“Are you hurt? Let me look?’ He turns me so my back is facing him. Gently he brushes my wet hair aside.

“I think I hit my head on a rock.”

“Yeah, you have a nasty bump.” His hot breath lingers on my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

We walk upstream until we reach a large pool. A curtain of water is spiralling down from a huge drop. The water runs over big rocks before crashing into the large pool. Bubbles form from the impact, making the water a grey-white colour. The noise is deafening. The waterfall stands proud and tall.

“You see those rocks; we have to climb them and get behind the waterfall. There lays a portal that will hopefully take us back to our world,” he shouts over the noise.

“Great, first free falling, now rock climbing,” I shout back. Who would have ever thought that I would turn into an adrenaline junkie? Well, it was not by choice. Things cannot get any worse. “What do you mean; hopefully take us back to our world?”

“We are currently in the land of lost souls, the dark one’s world,” he explains, causing another storm of questions to rush forward.

I seriously need a crash course for my new life.

“Dark ones? They are vampires, right?” I need to know what I am dealing with after all.

“No, similar, but instead of drinking you dry they suck your life force, your energy, until there is nothing left.” His explanation is vague but scary.

The cold stone seeps through my feet. The sharp jiggered rocks bite and cut into my bare skin.

Green moss covers the stones, making them slimy and slippery. Several times I lose my footing. I look down. My heart leaps and my stomach drops. I decide I don’t like heights.

We are now about ten feet away from an opening. Relief floods me. The hope of going home is strong.

The thought shocks me. I am now thinking of Enchanted Falls as my home. I now realize that I need my grandmother’s guidance and the protection that Enchanted Falls has to offer.

One thing is for certain. I need to give my grandmother a chance. Clara and David would want me to do just that. I need to take the time and get to know her. I will make more of an effort.

I look up at the man who has saved my life on more than one occasion. He is not the man I thought he was. Underneath his arrogant, cocky and bossy attitude is a caring brave man, loyal and fearless. He has risked his life repeatedly, asking for nothing in return. I will forever be in his debt.