They stepped on the street, Chantal still speechless from the little scene she had just observed. As they went back the way they had come, she sneaked glances at Bishop's face.
He noticed and glared at her. "What?"
She flinched, caught. "I... Vincent... oh, nothing!", she stuttered, angry at herself for being so discomposed.
He looked at her, then his lips curled snidely. "What? You did not think I had friends?"
Oh, to hell with it!
"No", she said bluntly. "I really did not think you had any."
A glint of amusement showed in his eyes. "Well, at least that's honest", he said.
They went on in silence, but somehow it was a different silence then before, less hostile. The streets still were nearly deserted. Luskan seemed not to be very big on the nightlife, Chantal thought. Or maybe they just were in the wrong quarter. Whatever it was, it was fine by her. The less people they encountered, the better.
Soon they reached the ruins within the city. Bishop quickly scanned the streets, and as no one was in sight, moved into the shadows between the crumbling buildings. Chantal followed.
"If it is forbidden to enter here, why is there not even a fence?", she asked.
He shrugged. "Not necessary. I told you people think this place is cursed. You heard Vince. Nearly no one enters here."
"Except for you", she stated.
"Except for me", he agreed.
"And is it?", she asked.
"Is it what?"
"Cursed."
He shrugged. "Never met any curse. Met some unsavoury inhabitants, though. So people probably do good staying outside."
"What kind of inhabitants?"
"Undead, mostly. Some pretty tough ones. Better to avoid them. But they usually stay underground, as I said, so...", he stopped, holding out his hand.
Chantal stopped walking and gave him a questioning glance. "What?", she whispered.
He cursed quietly. "Seems like they are not all staying underground tonight", he breathed. "Hush!" He dragged her back into the shadows between two of the derelict buildings.
xxx
They stood, squeezed between the walls and watched as a group of shambling corpses passed their hiding place. Her face was turned, gazing intently at the undead walking outside. She did not seem aware of the fact that they were pressed tightly together. But he was.
Damn it!
Her ear was inches from his mouth, and her sweet scent assaulted his nostrils. He swallowed, feeling his heart speeding up. And his breathing.
She is going to notice if you pant into her ear! Get a grip!
But it did not help. There it was again, that hunger he had tried to shove down into the darkest recesses of his soul, rearing its head. He stared at the graceful line of her neck, imagining his lips wandering down that smooth skin, finally reaching the sensitive spot at her throat, nibbling gently...
Stop it, fool! Distance, remember?
There's no bloody space!
Not that kind of distance!
He had to cool down, had to keep control.
Remember the way she played you? Think of that!
Right. He would not let that happen again!
She turned her head and looked up at him. Her blackened hair made the pale blue of her eyes even more startling. He stared into those cool blue eyes for endless moments. He saw them widen as they met his, saw something sparking in them, and was lost. He slowly bent his head, his lips searching hers. Her eyes fell closed, and she melted against his body. Fire flared in him, and he pressed her against his chest, kissing her greedily. He felt her hands rip at his shirt. Then they were on his skin, nails digging into his back, and she moaned into his mouth.
Oh gods.
He wanted her. Had to have her. Now. Screw distance. Screw everything. He growled, tearing her shirt free, because he had to feel her skin under his hands, and she was so soft, so smooth...
Something connected with his temple, hard, and he was lifted from his feet and thrown into the wall behind him, stars dancing in front of his eyes.
xxx
Chantal watched the shadows outside shamble past them. As the last one passed, she turned to Bishop – finding herself face to face with him, his eyes boring into hers. She suddenly was very aware how close he was. She could feel his warmth and the quick rising and falling of his chest.
She stood, mesmerised, staring into his amber eyes, not able to look away for what seemed like an eternity, but probably were only seconds, her heartbeat accelerating. She watched him lowering his head oh so slowly, his eyes never leaving hers, until their lips met. Her eyes closed, heat rising up in her, and her body pressed itself closer to his. She felt a shudder going through him, his arms closed around her, squeezing her to him. His mouth opened and his tongue searched for hers in what suddenly was a wild and frenzied kiss that swept her off her feet and made her knees weak.
She heard someone moan and realised it had been her. Her hands ripped his shirt out of his breeches, desperate to touch him, to get closer. The feel of his strong muscles rippling under the smooth skin of his back stoked the fire burning in her even higher. She could not help digging her nails into that soft skin, moaning. An answering growl escaped him that sent shivers down her spine as he deepened the kiss even more. She could feel him tugging at the fabric of her shirt as well, and then his hands were on her skin and she wanted…
…wanted him. Here. Now. She did not care for afterwards. She had to feel him now, had to feel his passion, burning her. His breath came in short gasps, she could feel his heart hammering against hers, little moans escaping him, his fingers digging into her skin, pressing her hard against his body, and she remembered how it felt to have all that ferocity unleashed, and oh gods, she wanted that, needed that, it had been so long…
She heard a dull sound, and suddenly Bishop's mouth was gone from hers. She opened her eyes, disoriented, and saw Bishop scrambling away from the wall, some inches away from her, his hand going to his head, shaking it, as if to clear it, and at her side stood... Casavir.
Oh gods.
The paladin looked like he was ready to murder someone, his face dark, eyes sapphire slits, his hands balled into fists.
Oh gods!
Shame welled up in her in a hot wave, instantly smothering all desire. How could she have let it happen again? She imagined how she must look, dishevelled, flushed, her clothes a mess, and cringed. She could not stand this, could not look Casavir into the eyes, could not look Bishop into the eyes. She had to get away from them, had to...
With a desperate noise, she squeezed past Casavir and ran into the night.
xxx
Casavir let Chantal run past him without trying to hold her back. What he had to say was for the ranger's ears alone. Besides, he was so angry at them both, he was tempted to grab Chantal and shake her like a rag doll.
How could she?
The scene he had just stumbled into had made him feel sick. He had heard noises and as he peered out of Bishop's hideout, had seen that some undead were moving through the ruins. He started to get worried. After all, Chantal and the ranger were unarmed. If they ran into those walking corpses, they would stand no chance.
So he left the hiding place and started into the direction they had vanished in maybe two hours ago. Then there had been noises around the corner, and when he had a look, he saw...
The memory still made his blood boil. He growled, clenching his fists, and turned to Bishop, who was just getting his bearings again after the heavy blow Casavir had dealt him.
"Keep your hands off her, you filthy bastard!", he hissed, venomously.
Bishop snarled, his teeth bared. "I do what I please, paladin."
"Oh no, not this time! I won't allow it!"
The ranger barked out a short laugh. "Who's asking for your permission?"
Casavir's eyes narrowed to slits. "Keep away from her. I'm only telling you once."
"Get lost! I'm not afraid of your threats!"
The paladin balled his hands. "You better be."
"Oh, go screw yourself, you sanctimonious fool! I don't take orders from no one!"
"We'll see about that", Casavir said, cold fury burning in him. Without another word he turned and followed Chantal.
The bastard did not know it yet, but he was a dead man.
xxx
Bishop leaned back at the wall, closing his eyes, breathing hard, trying to regain some composure.
One word more from that buffoon, and I would have punched his lights out!
He was so fed up with the two of them! Who did they think he was, their puppet, happy to dance at their strings? Well, they were wrong!
I should just leave them here. Serve them right!
Yep, that's what he would do. Get back, get his stuff, and just leave them here to stew. To hell with them both!
Let's see how they do without me.
A grim smile appeared on his face as he contemplated the possibilities. Vince would not be a happy customer if he came round tomorrow to find Bishop gone. Might even turn them over to Luskan, the price they would fetch. And then she...
An image rose in his mind as he thought of what would happen, and he quickly shoved it down again. Vince would not do that anyway. He would never turn anyone over to Luskan. Not after what happened.
But even if Vincent handed over the demon and let them go, they would have a hard time finding their way down below. The goat girl might pull it off, but she had not been with them on the way here. So they would probably lose their way and starve down there. Or some abomination would feast on their flesh...
Ah, happy thoughts.
Maybe then she would be sorry.
So, this is what this is about? Making her feel sorry?
He groaned and let himself sink down the wall.
I'm pathetic.
This could not go on. He had to get a grip. Had to get back on his feet.
Leave her to the paladin.
Well, it wasn't as if he wanted to keep her anyway. Would have told the jerk as much, if he had not infuriated him so with his blasted commands. No one talked that way to him.
The way she ran into the night...
Just like last time.
But this time, the paladin had seen. He gave a short, sardonic laugh. Served her right. Let her explain that one.
Don't worry, they will make up again.
Well, that was comforting. He raked his fingers through his hair in exasperation. Gods, he really was hopeless. And if he was honest with himself, he had to admit he could not really leave her to die. Could not bear that again.
Pathetic.
With a sigh, he got up and started into the direction of his hideout.
Maybe, if you roll over, she'll scratch your tummy.