Page 18 of Within the Flames
The urgency in his voice had Macey getting up immediately. She started to put her clothes back on, wishing she could take a shower first. Cam was already half dressed, hiding the view of his perfect abs. Later, she promised herself. Jared was going to need another meal, and maybe he was wanting to take part in it too. And maybe Rónàn too... was she being greedy?
"Cuffs back on, incubus," Luc warned and handed them to Jared.
"Is that really necessary?" Macey asked but Jared had already clicked them around his wrists. He still looked pale and weak, but if what he'd said was true, they needed to move.
"How are we getting off here?" Rónàn asked. "Do we jump down again and swim?"
Luc sighed. "The path continues on the other side of the cave. I'll fly you there, one by one. You can thank me later."
Without warning, he grabbed Macey, even though she still hadn't put on her jacket again, and took her into the air with him.
She disliked the daimon more and more. Even Malan was preferable to him.
When they were halfway above the lake, Luc whispered into Macey's ear, "I won't be getting the others. From here on, you have to go alone."
It took a moment for his words to register.
"No, you can't do that!" she protested, her voice almost a scream. "Get them now!"
"You may not trust me, but I'm your daimon," he said coldly. "I know what's best for you."
"You bleeding don't!" she shouted. "We need to stick together!"
"No, you don't. The lampads will not show themselves as long as the men are with you. You do want to rescue your Fire Warden, don't you?"
"But..." The protest was ripped from Macey's throat when Luc let her go and she fell the last three feet onto hard ground. They were on another stone ledge, the only way forwards a narrow tunnel. This one was different though, it looked more planned and precise, less natural. There were rough chisel marks on the walls. Someone had built this tunnel.
"Now go," Luc said, his voice suddenly filled with urgency. "Something is coming for your men and if they know you're waiting over here, they won't leave."
"Just fly them here!" Macey demanded, but the daimon had already flown away into the darkness.
She groaned in frustration.
"Jared!" she screamed, hoping her voice would echo through the cavern. "Rónàn! Cam!"
There was no response, no matter how hard she listened. The water down below seemed to suck up all the sounds. She was alone.
