I open my eyes to see Thrane with his arm wrapping around Gavin's neck, pulling him into a choke hold. I gasp and am about to run to him, but Gavin reminds me of his incredible speed and strength by grabbing Thrane's arm and using his body to flip Thrane over his head.
Thrane ends up on his back and Gavin goes to slam a boot down on his throat but misses as Thrane rolls away in a blur. Gavin is able to grab him by the arm mid-roll and pulls him to his feet before connecting his fist with Thrane's face.
The force of his hit sends Thrane crashing into a nearby tree, nearly uprooting it from the ground. My heart is racing as I watch Thrane recover too quickly and run at Gavin. The two collide with one another hard, causing a sound like thunder to wake the sleeping forest. They become just a blur as they tumble through the trees, ripping at each other.
I try to keep track of who is who in the jumble but have a hard time processing their speed with my still too human mind. It doesn't take me very long though, to see that Gavin is stronger, but Thrane is faster.
I watch in horror as Thrane separates from Gavin and runs, full speed toward me. I duck and cover my head, knowing that I can't outrun him. In the next instant he has my back pulled hard against his chest and a knife held firmly against my throat. I stop breathing and hold as still as I possibly can, knowing that I can be bleeding out with just the slightest movement.
"I missed you," Thrane whispers in my ear as Gavin walks slowly toward us.
His hands are outstretched in front of him, proceeding with caution. "Thrane, release her, now," he spits out through clenched teeth.
From where I stand, I can see his jaw ticking and a bead of sweat trickling down his scruffy cheek. I know he must not have shaved in a couple of days because the hair on his chin is longer than I’ve seen it.
64
Thrane chuckles evilly. "Now, why would I go and do a thing like that? I just got her back. I'm not letting her go without having my fun!" His voice sounds obsessed and sadistic.
I whimper slightly, wanting to speak but afraid that it will cause my neck to rub against the sharp knife.
Gavin's eyes flash to me with so much pain, but he hides it quickly. "What do you want?"
He asks, and his eyes shift downward briefly before snapping to mine. He gives me a pleading look before staring angrily back at Thrane.
I am confused but I look down, thinking that maybe he wants me to see something. I notice a small shine coming from Gavin's pants pocket and see part of the hilt of one of his throwing knives poking out.
My eyes widen, and I shift a little, feeling a small sting on the skin of my neck. I know it's just a scratch, but I push back further against Thrane to try and put space between the knife and my vital arteries.
Thrane squeezes me tighter and purrs, seemingly enjoying our closeness. "I want her and that is all! So, why don't you just scurry along?" he says to Gavin like he's some annoying kid that won't leave us alone.
Gavin's eyes flash to me again and then back to Thrane. I turn my head slightly, so I can speak to the demon and try to divert his attention.
"I'll go with you, Thrane," I say to him and he snaps his gaze to me. He watches me for a second before I hear a whistle in the air and then I am released abruptly as Gavin's dagger imbeds itself in Thrane's stomach.
I fall to the ground as the blade of Thrane's knife slides across my arm, leaving a long cut but nothing life threatening. The knife clatters on the dirt beside me.
I moan from the pain of landing on my broken ankle but roll quickly away from Thrane so Gavin can get to him.
Gavin wastes no time and pounces on him before he has a chance to get up. Gavin punches Thrane in the face repeatedly, avenging me with each blow of his fists. After a few good hits, he is shoved hard away from Thrane, who jumps up from the ground and pulls the dagger from his side. Quickly, he shoots it back at Gavin and I gasp as I watch the small blade pierce the air in slow motion, headed toward Gavin's chest.
Without hesitation, I throw a small amount of energy at the knife and the air around it shifts slightly so that the dagger makes a clean slice along Gavin's shoulder.
65
Gavin grips his bleeding shoulder and turns to me with wide eyes, momentarily distracted. This gives Thrane the opportunity to body slam Gavin and land on top of him, gaining the upper hand. Thrane wraps his hands around Gavin's throat while he holds him down with one of his knees. Gavin is struggling to break free but Thrane's grip is too strong. I sit in my spot, unable to move and try urging Gavin to try harder. "Come on, Gavin. Don't let him win!" I shout with a dry throat.
Gavin pulls hard on Thrane's wrists but is still unable to free himself.
I dig my hands into the soil beneath me and feel my body heat up out of fear and nervous energy. I try with all that I have to push myself up off the ground, my eyes never leaving the two powerful men fighting to the death in front of me. I am shaking from the fear of losing Gavin and I say a silent prayer for his life before releasing all of the heat through my hands and into the earth. The forest floor in front of me vibrates against my hands. Slowly,
