Page 79 of Hidden Raphael
Her eyes rolled back and she wasn't cold anymore.
She closed her eyes and thought that she had died today, after all.
She rocked to her feet and almost stumbled. The memory of this path hit her hard, and she remembered how Roger had almost killed her.
A cold ice stayed at the base of her spine. Everywhere she turned, she saw blackness. She swallowed and vowed to herself she’d survive.
Raphael's green eyes became a beacon she had to follow. She'd get the medicine and help his sister. He whispered, "Should I take you home?"
Homewas a good word, not that she had one. "No."
He stopped short again. She came beside him and let go of her thoughts. She stepped into his space again, and asked, "What now?"
His wide eyes were focused on something in the dark beyond them. She turned around, followed his gaze, and jumped back into his arms. She saw the flicker of a campfire. She stepped forward again. Her skin grew goose bumps, and she swallowed. They had found Harry and Roger. With luck, they'd find his sister's medicine and return to the castle without anybody getting injured.
Raphael clenched his fists and told her, "Stay here. I can't let you get hurt."
She nodded. "Be careful."
She patted his hand until he relaxed. He offered her a small sight of his dimple. "I will."
She almost kissed him, but held back and hugged him instead. "I promised your sister I'd stick by your side."
He stepped back. "You promised me you'd listen if I brought you. You'll be safe enough here, for now."
She gazed into his sexy, heroic eyes and sighed. "Hurry back."
He tipped his winter hat and saluted her. "I intend to."
He turned away. She watched, and a moment later, he disappeared into the thicker part of the forest. She knelt down to hide in the clearing.
She waited as the sun inched lower, if the direction of the small beams of light were any indication. What was taking so long? It would be night soon enough.
Raphael must have found something.
A bird squawked above her head. It was probably a seagull, as they were on an island. Her feet tapped in the dirt. It was late. She swallowed, and rearranged her jacket. She got up and looked toward the camp. The fire embers were still visible in the distance.
Perhaps Raphael was there. She could get a closer look at the camp and stay hidden. If Raphael needed her, she'd at least be nearby.
With her hands clenched, she darted from her safe spot to the nearest tree.
The only thing she heard was her own heartbeat. She dashed again, and hid behind another tree, but unlike Raphael's crooked path, she went as straight ahead as she could. She jumped behind more bushes, but still heard nothing except her own breathing.
At the last tree, she heard the crackle from the fire. This was as close as she'd go without getting caught. She stayed quiet and crouched down. She bit her lower lip and peered out. The camp seemed deserted.
She had a great view of the fire, and the helicopter crash. Unlike the plane, the helicopter seemed to be intact. It must have been a softer landing, but then neither Roger nor Harry intended to kill each other. She continued to study what she saw until the obvious took over her thoughts.
No one was there.
She scanned the area for a few more minutes. No one approached, and her gaze found a black Valentino backpack. The bag was beautiful and new. Kimberly blinked. It had to be Michaela's.
The medicine was the goal. Kimberly rubbed her neck. If she took the bag and made it to Raphael, they could head toward the castle again. So why wasn't he here? She refused to dwell on the question. He was always fine. This was her opportunity to help.
With a small prayer, she held her breath and then took her first step out from the tree. Her feet crunched on a twig, but no one came at her. She held her head up. Nothing happened except the brutal wind that slapped her in her face. She picked up her pace. Her limbs shook the second she went into the camp.
Still no one stirred. She was alone.
The crackle of the fire seemed almost alive, but she was oversensitive right now. She swept her hand across her forehead, then ran fast. A second later, she grabbed the bag from behind the pilot's seat, and raced back to her tree, the twigs on the ground sounding like hand grenades. Adrenaline coursed through her.
