Much later, Kai nestled Emma’s sleeping form against him in the bed upstairs. It never ceased to amaze him how every part of him responded when she was near. He felt like a randy boy with no control over his libido. Even now after making love all night long he felt a tug in his chest and the stirring of his body.
Dark hair cascaded over the pillow like a flowing river. She looked peaceful as she slept. Kai noticed tiny love bites marked her pale skin. The rough stubble from his unshaven face left a faint pink path of whisker burn over her breasts, the ridge of her shoulder and the curves of her hips and thighs.
While she lay sleeping, he replayed the events of their incredible night over in his mind. Kai threw the sheet back. He couldn’t stay awake in bed any longer. He’d be tempted to wake her again. Emma was exhausted and deserved the rest. He rolled from the bed after disentangling Emma’s limbs from his own. She’d matched his passion and enthusiasm through most of the night but unlike him, she didn’t have preternatural stamina. He put some distance between the constant temptation she represented and went downstairs. The more time he spent with her confirmed what he’d known from the start. She belonged with him. Emma was his and his alone.
The cabin was quiet. A small fire still crackled in the fireplace when Kai entered the open living room. He wrapped an afghan around his naked shoulders and plunked down into the cushy padding of the armchair. It was still dark even though dawn was trying to break the horizon. Despite his incredible stamina, even he should feel tired after the energetic romps they’d engaged in. Yet here he was at four thirty in the morning, wide awake, contemplating a future. How long could he have with her? She couldn’t live forever and he never wanted to let her go. She was his. He wasn’t comfortable with this new possessive feeling but had no way of controlling it. Something else to add to the growing list of things he’d never experienced.
He had to find a way for them to be together always. He'd never tried before. It was long past time he returned to the spring. He’d served as a protector for thousands of years and it was time to petition the Guardian to release him from his penance. Now that he knew the life that was possible even for him, he couldn't go back. He’d do everything in his power to get her to reverse his curse. Surely he’d proven worthy by now. If the unthinkable happened and the guardian refused him, he’d stand by Emma until the end. Once she was gone, he’d return to the Guardian and have her end him as she’d once offered to do. Living a life without Emma would be unbearably empty and he’d had enough of a lonely existence. Knowing Emma had taught him his solitary life was no longer enough.
Kai's head snapped up, his senses on full alert, ready to spring to action. Something felt different. It was too quiet. The forest was never silent, not even at night. He cocked his head straining to hear whatever it was that alerted him. He dropped low and moved to the nearest window. Careful to remain hidden he peered through the split between the two curtains. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw movement near the base of the trees lining the lane. He watched four figures detach themselves from the shadows and slither their way closer to the cabin.
Kai took the stairs to the loft two at a time. Emma’s eyes popped open when he covered her mouth with his hand. He held a finger against his lips, signaling her to remain quiet. He could see the concern blossoming in her wide eyes but she only nodded. He grabbed a T-shirt off the floor and tossed it to Emma. She slipped it over her head and shoved her arms through the holes. Kai snatched up the nearest clothes strewn about the floor. He dressed in the jeans and shirt then led Emma down the stairs, keeping low and silent. He left Emma by the stairs while he ducked across the room to grab the car keys from the hook by the door.
Kai quietly worked his way over to the hope chest and moved it aside. He pushed down on one of the slats. It sprang up revealing the handle to a secret panel in the floor. He pulled on the handle and a door opened along the seams of the hardwood. The wooden slat would flatten when it closed and be undetectable from the rest of the floor.
Kai motioned for Emma to join him. He positioned the hope chest over the end of the secret door so that it would look natural against the wall. A quick glance around the cabin assured him nothing seemed out of place. He ushered Emma down the narrow ladder, following close behind her. He pulled the door closed and secured the latch above them.
The room beneath the building was pitch black. Kai’s eyes adjusted to the darkness fast. He left Emma momentarily to light the lantern hanging from a hook near the ladder. Flickering light lit the small room. The wall opposite the ladder was loaded with weapons. A narrow passageway led underground towards the back of the cabin.
“What’s going on?” Emma whispered.
“We’ve got intruders. There are at least four of them. We’re getting the hell out of here!” Kai wasted no time explaining. He grabbed a black duffel bag from a nearby shelf and started loading essentials. He took a handgun from the wall, loaded it and tucked it into the waistband of his jeans. He threw extra boxes of ammo and a spare clip into the bag. A canteen, some cylinders, and an assortment of knives followed the ammo into the bag. He loaded another, smaller handgun, set the safety and tossed it in the bag too. A pair of boots sat on a shelf. He grabbed them and a jacket. Emma watched him work quietly shivering. He wrapped the jacket around her. She was awesome. She was handling this like a pro. She asked no questions. She just stood silent and trusted he knew what he was doing. He had the boots on and was tucking extra blades into each boot in seconds.
He tossed the duffel bag over his shoulder and lifted the lantern from its hook. He took Emma’s hand and led her down the long dark corridor. He pulled her along and didn't stop until the passageway came to an abrupt end.
A small metal door like a submarine hatch with a small wheel in the center was the only exit. Kai spun the locking mechanism and pushed the door wide enough or him to poke his head through and scan the area. Assured no one lurked nearby he and Emma slipped through and closed the door. They re-adjusted the outer covering so the exit remained hidden.
Kai motioned for Emma to stay quiet. He moved away from the gentle slope of the hill to do reconnaissance. When he returned, he leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I counted five of them. They’re closing in on the cabin right now.” Her eyes were huge and he hated scaring her like he had. “It’s okay sweetheart. They were counting on catching us unaware. The cars clear. It doesn't look like they've tampered with it and they came in from the opposite side.” Kai pointed towards the woods where the intruders first appeared. He handed Emma the keys, “I want you to wait until they enter. When I give the signal, run to the car as fast as you can. Jump in the driver’s seat and drive.”
“No. I won’t leave without you.” She kept her voice low but Kai knew she would fight him on this.
“Don't worry about me I'll be there beside you, and even if I'm not, promise me you’ll drive away. Do you understand?”
“I won't leave you.” Damn she’s stubborn.
“Yes you will. I know you don't want to, but I need you to give me your word. Promise you’ll leave even if I'm not in the seat beside you.”
“I can’t promise I’ll leave you behind. Don’t ask me to.”
“Emma, I’ll catch up. And if I don’t catch up, I promise you, I'll find you.” He stroked his finger along her cheek. “Do you remember how to get to the town we went to for supplies? I want you to drive there. There's a little bed-and-breakfast on the outskirts of town on the left side right as you come in. I want you to get a room and wait for me.”
“I can't get a room. I have no money, no ID or clothes. I'm not even wearing shoes.”He looked down at her bare feet.
“Shit! I’m sorry. There's a spare credit card and emergency cash in the inner pocket of my jacket. You can stop long enough to get some clothes, but then I want you to leave here whether I'm with you or not. Okay? I'll catch up.”
“What if you’re hurt?”
“I'm immortal. I’ll heal. Remember?” He shot her a grin. “I used to live for this shit. I’ll be okay it's you I’m worried about. That's why I want you to give me your word that you’ll go.”
“All right, I don't like it, but I'll do it. You just better be there!”
“Good, that's my girl.” Kai squeezed her hand for encouragement. He hauled her into his arms and kissed her like it was their last. This isn’t goodbye.
Kai watched while they waited in silence. His plan would work. It had to. The intruders finally made their move and entered the cabin. Kai moved with incredible speed to position himself near the outer corner of the cabin. When he was sure that there were no stragglers he signaled for Emma to make a break for the car.