Chapter 13

**Nerissa POV**

I was feeling exhausted from the continuous running. Emily and I didn't want to risk being found by taking longer than necessary rest breaks. Instead, we took shorter ones since we didn't want to stop moving. We were already far away, creating the much-needed distance between us and the Draconis Pack land.
The fog surrounded us, making a chill rise all over our skin. Strange feelings, like being watched followed us with every step we took. It was dawn and the forest was slowly beginning to wake up. I could hear the birds singing above our heads as we walked slowly ahead, trying to get further north to find my aunt, but exhaustion was overtaking both of us from days we’ve spent running away with little to no rest.
A rustle of leaves sounded behind us making my heart beat faster. I looked over at Emily whose eyes were wide with fear; fear that they had found us and we would be brought back.
I grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the hollow tree I had seen a little ahead. We rushed towards it and crawled inside the small opening, holding our breaths as we waited for whoever was following us to hopefully pass by without noticing us.
The rustling grew louder, alarming us. Whoever that was, they were getting closer to us. I wrapped my arms around Emily, and we held each other close, trying to comfort one another and provide a sense of courage while hoping that we were safe and that everything would be alright.
It seemed like forever had passed when I decided to take a peek through the hollow crack of the tree, and check and see if whoever had been out there was gone.
Unwrapping myself from Emily’s hold, I moved slowly, trying to make as little sound as possible, leaning towards the only entrance into the tree. I tried to tune in with my other senses, but I was feeling weak due to lack of proper rest and food, so it was hard, but I wasn’t giving up, not until I finally reached my Aunt Patricia’s.
I listened before looking, trying to perceive if I could hear anything unusual. The sounds coming to me were of cheery birds singing their songs and the soft wind blowing through the forest. Nothing more could be heard. Slowly, I moved towards the entrance, leaning out little by little, to take a peek. Seeing the forest before me, my eyes took in the surroundings as much as possible when suddenly I saw two hazel eyes emerge out of nowhere, startling me. I was even more alarmed when I heard a voice say, “Hello there.”
Shocked, I fell back into the dark, hollow tree, and Emily screamed before I could stop her.
A head appeared at the entrance, followed by wide shoulders, the same voice saying, “Hey, hey… calm down, I won’t hurt you.”
Taking deep breaths, I try to calm my racing heart while keeping a tight hold on Emily, who was holding onto my arm like it was her lifeline. I looked into two, bright, hazel eyes that were looking over us with concern.
Getting a hold of myself, I sat up on the hard, dirty ground, staring at the male in front of us. “Who are you?”
He smiled as he extended his hand, making me stare at it as he repeated, “I won’t hurt you, I promise.”
I looked at him warily, but I saw only honesty in his eyes, so I slowly reached over with my hand, and placed it in his. He grabbed it lightly, helping me out of the hollow tree before helping Emily as well, and in a second they were both outside the tree.
As we stood in front of the tree that Emily and I were hiding in a moment ago, I surveyed the forest around us noticing that this male was alone and I wondered why? I looked at him, able to see him better. I noticed he was tall, slightly bulky with sandy, curly hair, and bright, hazel eyes.
He walked towards one of the trees and leaned down to pick something up. I watched his movements carefully, readying myself for anything.
He noticed my stare and held up the item, showing me that it was a backpack.
Walking back towards us, carrying his backpack, he opened it and placed his hand inside, searching for something.
His eyebrows were scrunched over his eyes as he thoroughly searched inside until his brows raised and a smile appeared on his face. “Oh, finally, there it is.”
I watched as he pulled his arm out and in his hand was something wrapped up. He placed the backpack down on the ground and took out two small, wrapped packages. “Here you go. I believe you need these more than I do right now,” he said, offering the packages to us.
Taking one of the wrapped packages from his hands, I looked at him in confusion as I realized it was a wrapped sandwich. I couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you giving us your sandwiches?”
He shrugged his shoulders, a smile never leaving his face. “You both look like you went through hell.” He chuckled at that last statement. “I assumed you must be starving and I have had more than enough, so please, take them and eat. Don't worry, they aren't poisoned."
I scrunched my eyebrows as I opened the wrapped foil, the smell of the turkey and cheese making my mouth water from hunger. I took a small bite, tasting it, trying to make sure it was not poisoned. After all, he was a demon, that much I could sense even if I was exhausted. As the flavor touched my tongue, I couldn't help but let out a satisfied moan. I ate the whole sandwich, enjoying the sensation of the sweet and savory turkey with cheese on my tongue.
After Emily and I both finished our sandwiches, the male reached back into his backpack and gave us each a bottle of water. “Thank you,” we both told him, taking the water and drinking it all in one go.
When we finished, he looked at us satisfied and asked us, “Would you like some more? Don’t worry, I have plenty left.”
Giving him a polite smile, I shook my head and answered him. “No thank you, you already gave us too much.”
He held out his hand as he said, “My name is Warit.”
“It is nice to meet you, Warit. I am Nerissa, and this is my best friend, Emily.”
We shook hands as we introduced ourselves. Warit looked at us curiously before asking, “So what happened to you two?” Emily took a deep breath, neither of us knew where to begin with. Yes, I realize he was a demon and demons aren't to be trusted, but somehow I felt deep down that I could trust this one. I took a deep breath and looked at him as I told him our story.
As I was telling him the story, he grew more and more perplexed.
Once I finished, he watched us silently, a myriad of emotions showing in his eyes as he stated, "Damn… that is one hell of a story."
I purposely did not reveal that Alexander is my mate. No one knew that, not even Emily, but I told him everything else that happened from the night of the attack until the moment Emily and I had managed to escape.
He scratched his chin thoughtfully. “So you are going north to your aunt now?”
Emily and I nodded as I answered. "Yes, as I said, I promised my mother before we left our home that I would find my aunt, and I intend to do just that. The only problem is we are lost, and I don't know which way to go or where she might be."
Warit kept scratching his chin, making small sounds as he tried to think of a solution, when suddenly, his eyes lit up and he jumped happily to his feet, extending his hands towards Emily and I. He pulled us both up and started to repack his backpack.
Emily and I stood there dumbfounded, silently watching him in confusion, as he moved around, gathering things and placing them back inside his backpack.
He picked it up and turned, looking excitedly towards us. “What are you doing?” I wanted to know.
He grinned, taking our hands. I saw a glimmer appear before us in mid air, a small wormhole growing bigger and bigger before us, making Emily and I look at it in shock. Finally, the passage was wide enough for us to walk through.
I grabbed Warit’s forearm with my free hand, making him look at me. “Warit, where are we going?”
Grinning, he looked over at Emily and I before he answered. “I am taking you both to the only person who can help you find the one you are searching for.”
Before we took the last step towards the passage and walked through the portal, I asked, “What? Who? Where are we going?”
He nudged us slightly, making Emily and I take a step forward with him. I heard his answer before we passed through to the other side, “We are going to the Underworld.”