The sorcerer came back to the tower, yelling for her before cursing loudly when he realized she was gone. He found find her… even if it meant searching to the ends of the world, he would find that girl and bring her back. His experiment wasn't finished yet.
A dark face laughed in the darkness, somewhere behind her as she ran. She knew he would never come rescue her- she was too far away by now for him to catch up. She stumbled on something on the ground, falling with a curse as she caught herself, scrambling forward blindly as hands gripped at her long hair.
"I had told you not to run, woman. You're too valuable for me to let go so easily. This time I'll make sure no one ever finds you." He whispered in her ear, his teeth clicking together in a smile before he chuckled as she struggled.
"Oh, we've gotten a bit rebellious since our little trip, have we? Well we'll just have to fix that once we get back." The sorcerer held her wrist painfully tight, dragging her up from the ground to her feet.
For a moment she wondered if it would be a good idea to go with him… after all, it was the only other home she knew of. That decision was made for her when he hoisted her up onto a horse, jumping up behind her and holding her tightly as they started galloping south toward his tower.
She knew why he wanted her now- it was finally time for him to finish his experiment.
She lowered her head, submitting to this ultimate act of her life… it was all she was good for now.
Stella woke with a yell, looking around the room but seeing nothing but darkness. She felt for the edge of the bed with her hands, slipping her feet to the floor experimentally before standing. She shuffled her way across the room, the night air cool on her skin as crickets chirped outside the window. She met the stone wall and moved along it, her palms feeling cool stone as it curved around a corner and met wood. She searched for the doorknob, turning it gently until the door opened with a slight creak. She bit her lip nervously as she wondered what direction the other side of the hall was in- where was his room?
She decided to take a guess, skittering across the stone nervously before meeting cool stone on the other side with a sigh of relief. She walked along that wall until she came to another door, hearing heavy breathing inside from Hunter sleeping. She had to be sure, though. She had to ask him…
She opened the door with another creak, the sound stopping the breathing abruptly.
"Who's there?" Hunter asked, his voice raspy as wood clanged against the ground.
"I need to ask you something." Stella said softly into the darkness, trying to find out where he was in the room.
"Stella? What are you doing up? You're supposed to be resting." Hunter said in frustration, another wooden sound clanging against the stone floor.
"I had a… well, a bad dream I guess."
"You don't have dreams, and you know it. What did you see?" Hunter asked, reaching out a hand and grabbing her wrist, guiding her over to sit on his bed in front of him.
"How do you know I don't dream?" She whispered, her wrist still warm from his hand.
"When you were sick I touched you- and saw what you saw… I think. Either way, since you can control time like you do, I figure you can do more." He moved the blankets on the bed, pulling them higher onto him. "So, what did you see?" He asked again.
"The sorcerer is searching for me. He won't ever stop." She whispered, her mind filling with terror at the memories of the man. He had been so cruel… so heartless. She wasn't a human to him, she was just
another one of his toys he got bored with when she got too frustrating.
"Hey- you're shaking." Hunter put a hand reassuringly on her shoulder, the shaking only getting worse at the contact.
"I don't want to go back- that place was horrible. Now that I know how things can be, I don't want to ever go back to what I was before…" She felt tears run down her cheeks, her eyes wide as she stared ahead of her.
"Stella…" Hunter moved forward cautiously, putting an arm around her shoulders comfortingly. "He won't get you, I won't allow it. I'm a battle magi, right? It's my job to fight evil sorcerers and magi. No one will hurt you."
Stella couldn't help the relief that poured through her- he had meant it. She knew now, that Hunter meant to protect her. He wouldn't leave her.
"Oh babe come on- don't cry." Hunter said softly, hissing in surprise when she buried her face in his shoulder, her hands against his bare chest. He let her cry, holding her tightly when he didn't know what else to do or say.
Finally when her tears had run out, she realized she had her hands against bare skin- his muscles were tense beneath her when she froze, leaning back with a fierce blush.
"I-I'm sorry. I should have asked." She whispered, looking away from him. She heard a warm chuckle and looked back at him in confusion.
"I'm not wearing a shirt- there's no need to worry. Have you ever worn armor plates to sleep? I'll have you know it's not very comfortable." He said, running a hand along her cheek, as if trying to see her in the darkness like she did.
"No, probably not." She whispered, not liking to admit how much she liked his touch- always warm, always gentle. It was dangerous.
"Are you feeling better, now?" Hunter asked, his hand moving to her hair, moving it away from her face.
"Yeah. Thank you." She said softly, looking away from him in embarrassment. "I'm sorry I got so upset like that. I usually don't do that."
"I know. Once in a while you're entitled to be upset. Everyone is." He said reassuringly. "Do you want me to take you back to your room?"
Stella nodded gently, glad that she wouldn't have to stumble her way back. She moved back when he shifted on the bed, standing up next to her and holding her hand to help her up as well. He guided her by her shoulders through the room, moving forward slowly as she stepped cautiously forward. Finally they made it back to her own room, Hunter leading her over to her bed and sitting her down on it before backing away.
"Will you be alright?" He asked, standing in front of her.
"Yeah- I think so." She whispered, glancing up at where she thought he was.
"If you have any more dreams, just call for me. You shouldn't be walking around at night alone." He said, touching the spot where her wound had been to make sure she hadn't bumped into anything else.
"I will. Thanks again, Hunter." She said softly.
She heard him chuckle softly in amusement and looked up at him in confusion. "You know, I think that's the first time you've used my name when you're not yelling at me for something."
Stella smiled as well, listening to his footsteps as he walked back out of the room, hesitating at the door before closing it behind him.
She laid back against the bed again, laying a palm on her face in frustration. Why had she cried like that in front of him? She had never cried in front of anybody before. She still wondered why as she fell asleep again, this time her mind silent from visions.
