November 4th

We ran for an hour through the forest, my legs already aching from running all night. Mateo was adamant that we had to get to the base as soon as possible but my body couldn't take much more.

"So your mate just told you to run?" Connor asked as we took a break, solely for my benefit.

"He had little choice. We were under attack," I replied. "And you can say his name, Connor. It won't poison you."

"He's poisoning you though," Connor muttered. "And he shouldn't have sent you off alone in the middle of a war."

"Well it wasn't the initial plan," I snapped. "But when you have enemies coming at you left right and centre, you hardly have time to sit down and carefully formulate a plan B."

"I just don't think he's good for you, Ells," Connor replied.

At that point Mateo stood up, "I'll just give you two a minute-"

"We don't need a minute because we aren't getting into this now...again," I said.

"I'll just go anyway-"

"Sit," I ordered Mateo and he silently sat back down next to me.

For the rest of the five-minute break, little was communicated. Connor kept giving me shifty glares and Mateo sat awkwardly amongst the tension between us.

"Why don't you just go back home, Connor?" I asked.

"Because I care too much about you-" he began before a high pitched wail, shattered the quiet of the forest.

"What the fuck was that?" Mateo said.

"Someone's hurt," I said, "A woman. We have to go."

"No, no, no," Mateo said, "I have to go. You need to get to the base."

"It's someone nearby," I continued glancing around.

"Connor, take her to the base," Mateo said.

"I don't take orders from you," Connor said.

The scream sounded again.

"We need to find her," I said already running in the direction of it.

"Ella stop!" Mateo said as they both followed me.

"Somebody is in danger,," I said, battling through the branches and between the roots.

"Then stop running towards the danger," Connor said.

"Ella," Mateo said taking my wrist.

"No!" I shouted fiercely shaking him off much to his surprise. "We have to help her."

"Ella-" Connor began reaching for my arm.

"Don't," I spat. "Don't you dare try and stop me. Mateo you shouldn't go on your own. Connor can fight too and so can I with this," I said lifting the praesidium Deae Astra. "We all need to go and now. Splitting up when there's fighting nearby would be a foolish decision."

I glared at them both and they exchanged a glance with each other before I continued running without their protest.copy right hot novel pub