Chapter 8 Into the Depths

The icy water swallowed me whole.

The current pulled me under, twisting my body in every direction. My lungs screamed for air as I fought to break the surface, but the river was too strong. My limbs felt heavy, my mind sluggish.

Then-strong hands grabbed me.

Ronan.

His grip was firm as he pulled me up, forcing my head above the water. I gasped, coughing violently, my chest burning. The river still fought to drag us under, but Ronan held on.

"Hold on to me," he ordered.

I didn't hesitate. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, clinging to him as he swam toward the shore. His strokes were powerful, determined, cutting through the violent waves. Even now, in the middle of chaos, he was in control.

My body trembled from the cold by the time we reached the rocky shore. Ronan climbed out first, then hauled me up after him. I collapsed onto the wet stones, gasping for breath. My clothes clung to me, soaked and heavy.

"Are you hurt?" Ronan asked, his voice sharp.

I shook my head, still trying to breathe.

"Good." He stood, scanning the area. "We need to keep moving."

I barely had the strength to lift my head. "Are you serious?"

Ronan turned to me, his silver eyes steady. "They won't stop hunting us, Selene. We have to be ahead of them. Always."

He was right. Kieran's men would be searching the river, looking for bodies. They wouldn't stop until they were sure we were dead.

I forced myself to my feet, ignoring the exhaustion weighing me down. My legs were shaky, but I stood.

Ronan watched me closely.

"That's it," he murmured.

It was approval.

For some reason, that made warmth stir in my chest.

"Where now?" I asked, rubbing my arms for warmth.

"There's a cave up ahead," Ronan said. "We'll rest there and plan our next move."

I nodded and followed him.

---

The cave was hidden behind thick overgrowth, barely noticeable unless you knew where to look. Ronan led the way inside, moving with careful steps. It was dark, the air damp and cool.

He quickly started a fire, the warm glow chasing away the shadows.

I sat close to it, trying to stop my body from shaking. The firelight flickered against Ronan's face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw, the intensity in his gaze.

His shirt was still soaked, clinging to his body. I caught a glimpse of scars across his skin-old wounds, deep and jagged.

How many battles had he fought? How many times had he come close to death?

Ronan caught me staring. "What?"

I quickly looked away. "Nothing."

He didn't press. Instead, he reached into his pack, pulling out dry clothes. He tossed a shirt toward me.

"Change. You'll get sick."

I hesitated. The shirt was huge-his, obviously-but I didn't argue. I turned away, changing quickly before sitting back near the fire.

For a while, neither of us spoke. The flames crackled softly, the only sound in the quiet cave.

Then Ronan finally broke the silence.

"Kieran will be more careful now," he said. "He knows I'm with you."

I tensed at the mention of his name. "Does that change things?"

Ronan's expression remained unreadable. "Not for me. He's always been my enemy."

"Then why did we run?" I asked, meeting his gaze. "You're not scared of him, are you?"

Something dark flickered in Ronan's eyes. "No."

I swallowed. There was no hesitation, no doubt in his voice.

He wasn't afraid of Kieran.

So why had we escaped?

As if reading my thoughts, Ronan leaned forward slightly. "I could have killed them all, Selene. But I didn't-for you."

My breath caught.

"You're not ready yet," he continued. "If we fight him now, you'll die."

The words stung.

Because deep down, I knew they were true.

Kieran was stronger than me.

If I faced him now, I would lose.

Ronan saw the anger in my eyes, the frustration.

"That's why I'm going to make you stronger," he said, his voice firm. "Stronger than him. Stronger than anyone."

I felt my heartbeat quicken.

"How?" I asked.

Ronan smirked slightly. "I have my ways."

I narrowed my eyes. "You enjoy being mysterious, don't you?"

He shrugged. "Keeps things interesting."

I sighed, but there was no real annoyance behind it.

For the first time in a long time, I felt something new.

Hope.

---

Ronan didn't waste time. The next morning, he woke me before dawn.

"Training starts now," he said simply.

I groaned, rubbing my tired eyes. "Can't we at least eat first?"

Ronan tossed me a piece of dried meat. "Eat while you train."

I scowled, but I didn't argue.

He led me deeper into the forest, to an open clearing. The sun was just beginning to rise, golden light spilling through the trees.

Ronan handed me a dagger.

"Attack me," he said.

I blinked. "What?"

"You heard me." He gestured toward himself. "Come at me with everything you have."

I hesitated. "You're insane."

He smirked. "You say that a lot."

I gritted my teeth and lunged.

The moment I moved, Ronan dodged effortlessly. Before I could react, he swept my legs out from under me, and I hit the ground hard.

Pain shot through my back.

Ronan crouched beside me, amusement in his silver eyes. "Again."

I growled in frustration, pushing myself up.

I attacked again. And again.

And each time, he knocked me down with ease.

By the time the sun was high in the sky, I was covered in dirt, my body aching. Sweat dripped down my skin, but I refused to stop.

Ronan finally stepped back, watching me struggle to stand.

"Good," he said. "You don't give up."

I glared at him. "You enjoy beating me up, don't you?"

His lips twitched. "A little."

I groaned, collapsing onto the grass. "I hate you."

Ronan sat beside me, stretching out his legs. "That's a good start."

I shot him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ronan's expression turned serious. "Hate makes you strong, Selene. But only if you control it. If you let it control you-you lose."

I swallowed hard.

He was right.

I had spent so much time hating Kieran, fearing him. But that fear had made me weak.

I didn't want to be weak anymore.

Ronan stood, offering me his hand. "Again?"

My whole body ached, but I took his hand and pulled myself up.

"Again," I said.

And this time, I was ready.