A/N: Wow I need to get my shit together. Seriously. It's been too long, and that goes for all of my stories. -_-
SORRY GUYS I LOVE YOU ALL. This chapter is more of a relationship-analysis chapter than anything. The plot doesn't move much here but it will pick back up next chapter.
Soundtrack: Storm the Sorrows by Epica; Crawling Back To You by Daughtry (this song screamed Ezekiel/Isaac at me the minute I heard it); If Trees Could Speak by The Flashbulb
o-o-o-o-o
Last time…
Slowly, they walked the bikes back through the tunnel, back to the original opening in the outside wall. A quick glance outside told them they were in the all clear. Ezekiel removed his hat and tucked it into one of the side pouches of his cycle, not wanting to lose it. They both put on their goggles and after starting the cycles up and smiling at each other, took off like a bat out of hell across the sandy terrain, speeding towards their freedom.
o-o-o-o-o
Day one of the journey across the desert was easy enough. No one from the Cities had caught up with Ezekiel and Isaac (if anyone had bothered to come after them in the first place) and the desert was absolutely desolate save for them and their bikes. Night fell and they made a small fire under the cover of a formation of weathered rocks. Isaac wasn't worried about being attacked at all. He had Ezekiel and that was enough for him.
As he sat by the crackling fire, Isaac watched Ezekiel as the vampire gazed up at the night sky. The embers from the fire reflected up into his gold eyes, lighting them up and making them almost yellow. His throat was exposed, the whole tanned column of skin looking hauntingly exotic in the flickering light. Isaac continued to stare at Ezekiel, always amazed when he caught glimpses of the otherworldly creature that he really was underneath his human exterior.
When Ezekiel finally turned his face from the star's soft light in favor of looking at Isaac, he smiled softly, no teeth, just a subtle quirk of the lips. Then he was standing and moving around to Isaac's side of the fire, sitting next to him, and taking his lips in a kiss. There was no fiery lust behind it, just a simple kiss, warm and soothing shared between lovers.
The night was comfortable and cool so when it came time for Isaac to sleep, he laid down on top of his blanket in the sand, putting his arms behind his head and heaving a deep relaxing breath. Ezekiel had opted to stay awake first, keeping his eyes open for any signs that they were being followed.
Isaac was pulled from his light sleep several hours later by a gentle nudge to his shoulder and kiss to his neck. He stretched, cracking a few joints, and gave the vampire a smile before getting up and letting him have the blanket and some rest, even if he didn't really need it like Isaac needed it.
The pair hadn't spoken to one another in more than 24 hours and it wasn't affecting them in the slightest. Everything that needed to be said was portrayed in their eyes and their movements. Isaac thought back on happier times when they used to be able to do this when they were younger, a time when they spoke without words because words were too simple. It was almost like they had been telepathically connected. Isaac was more than relieved to have that connection back.
Dawn broke and the human and the vampire packed up their small camp, snuffing the fire out and disposing of any evidence that would even hint that they had been there. Taking off across the desert as the sun came up, tossing waves of sand out to the sides of them as they rode, the two lovers didn't have a care in the world.
o-o-o-o-o
"Monsignor Orelas, if I may speak?"
The eldest Monsignor twitched slightly but nodded his head in Monsignor Chamberlain's direction. The timid man stood and fussed with his robes for a second before clearing his throat to speak.
"It's been a little more than two days since the Priest and the Vampire left the City. Shouldn't we send someone after them?"
Monsignor Orelas regarded the man as one would a small animal, with a glint in his eye that showed that he knew he had power over this individual, and that they were hardly worth a second glance but were given it anyway.
"Although it is a good suggestion, it is hardly necessary. The Priest will return sooner or later."
A dark look covered the elderly man's face.
"He always does."
o-o-o-o-o
The night began to fall on day two of Isaac and Ezekiel's journey so they found another broken building foundation and bunked down in it. The fire was lit and the food was placed over it. As they sat in the warm circle of light, Isaac rested his head in Ezekiel's lap, his finger tracing unidentifiable shapes into the vampire's thigh.
"Where are we going?" He said softly, breaking the 48-hour silence. Ezekiel smiled down at him and chuckled.
"You'll see soon enough." He answered vaguely. Isaac snorted, adjusting his body slightly to get more comfortable.
"So you do know our final destination then."
Ezekiel hummed his response. They once again ceased speaking in favor of listening to the sounds of the night. The wind blowing through the sand just outside, a far away cry from a starving hawk, the soothing crackle and pop of the fire, and their soft, in-sync breathing.
Isaac pushed away the uneasy feelings that threatened to swamp his unconscious. He had expected the Order to send Priests after them, or at least some guards to follow them until they reached the outskirts of the Cities where the sun meets the soot clouds, but no such thing had happened. As far as he could tell, the Monsignors had just let them leave. That did not sit well with him.
"Somethin' on your mind, darlin'?" Ezekiel's voice pierced the night. Isaac shifted again so he could lie on his side and look up into the vampire's face. He gave him a small smile and reached up a hand to stroke his stubbled cheek.
"I'm just hoping this doesn't get pulled out from under us. No one has come after us yet and I'm just wondering if we're actually home free."
Ezekiel covered Isaac's hand with his own, sliding it to his mouth so that he could kiss the palm.
"You'll drive yourself insane if you continue to think like that. Just relax. If anyone comes after us, you know I can take care of them." He kissed the man's forehead tenderly. Isaac smiled and said nothing more, lying more comfortably on the man's lap and falling asleep.
Day three of the journey went just as fast as the other days went but Isaac slowly started recognizing terrain. He was starting to see where Ezekiel was taking them. He slowed his bike as the huge stone structure loomed before them. The look he cast Ezekiel was anything but happy but Ezekiel smiled at him, stopping his bike and getting off.
"Having second thoughts?" Ezekiel asked, walking his bike over to Isaac. The human shut off his bike and dismounted, following Ezekiel to the entrance. They hid their bikes in a miniature cave next to the main entrance and stood in front of the gaping hole of Sola Mira hive with Isaac staring up at it.
"No matter how many times I come back here, I don't think I'll ever feel comfortable with it." Isaac muttered. He looked at Ezekiel with apprehension in his eyes. The vampire took a step towards the entrance and extended a hand to Isaac, smiling.
"I'll take care of you, I promise."
With another slight hesitation, Isaac smiled and took the offered hand, letting Ezekiel lead him into the hive.
o-o-o-o-o
A/N: I think this is a very good chapter. :) Don't forget to review and let me know what you think! And I'm sorry to abandoning you, babies!