Page 97 of The Dark Obsession

The car glides on the road. The headlights shine onto the emptiness ahead. Every now and again, bright headlights zoom past.

“They will be fine.” Rafael squeezes my leg as we speed down the motorway.

I stare at the reddening sky as the sunrise sends a shimmering light across the empty fields. I contemplate the future, wondering what my brother is doing now.

“We’re getting close,” Rafael says, snapping me from my silence.

I stare ahead. “What’s the plan?”

“Get Adriel and Ben, and drive.” He smiles weakly.

My fists clench on my knee. “How do you know how to find them?”

“I don’t.” I can feel his gaze on my face. “I’ll call them once we’re near the area.”

“And then what?” I look at him.

“And then we hope for the best,” he says, his voice low and cold. His hands tighten on the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening. “I’m actually nervous.” His words barely escape his lips.

My eyes burn with tears. My hand grips his forearm as a small tear trickles down his reddening cheek. “Don’t be.” I whisper.

“If I can’t protect you, the one woman to ever hold my beating heart in the palm of her hand, then I don’t deserve to live.”

A knot forms in the back of my dry throat, choking me. My grip on his arm tightens, my hands tremble violently and the car slows.

Rafael eases the car onto a muddy area. “Don’t,” he whispers, wiping a tear from my cheek. He caresses my neck and my back as he pulls me closer to his chest. His heart thrums in my ear and his body vibrates against mine. After a much too short moment, he releases me, leaving me to feel cold and empty. “Rosalie, always stay by my side. You must do as I say.”

I nod slowly and concentrate on my trembling knees.

His warm lips press against my head, leaving a tingling sensation. The car moves, slower now, as we enter a wooded country road.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. A canopy of old and twisting trees partially blocks the sky. The pale grey morning swiftly turns to what seems to be dusk. Barely any light leaks through the thick and green earth-made ceiling.

“Call Adriel,” Rafael orders.

I hold the phone, pulling up the most recent call, and dial. I focus out the window for any signs of my brother.

His answer is almost immediate. “Raf …” Adriel pants.

Rafael’s head snaps in my direction, and the car jerks to a stop. “Where are you?”

“We’ve got to leave the trees.” His voice is barely understandable, his accent thick.

“What’s going on?” Rafael accelerates the car.

“He’s here. Just take Rose and run.”

“No,” I shout. “Get onto the road. We’re looking for you now.”

Rafael turns off the headlights, and we glide down the winding road.

My wide eyes scan every inch of space ahead. My heart sends a shock through my body each time the wind blows through the trees. For each bird that swoops low across the road ahead, my stomach somersaults. My body is flushing; although the car isn’t warm, my skin is slick with sweat.

“We’re almost on the road,” Adriel says.

Seconds pass, the outline of two people emerge from the trees ahead. Adriel sighs in relief over the phone. Rafael speeds off and skids to a standstill at their side. Their faces are pale in the dark. The door squeaks quietly as if it wants us to be found, when it opens, and they climb into the back seat.

“Drive!” Benjamin urges.

---