Chapter 67

My back hit the wall hard, my head snapping forward onto my chest as I tried to brace myself against the impact but failing miserably and I cried out in dismay as my blades went scattering across the tunnel and sliding out of my reach. Sharp pain shot down my spine and I felt that broken rib dislodge a little more inside, forcing tears free from my eyes; tears I didn't want him to see. I blinked them away quickly and focused on breathing, which proved more difficult than it should considering every intake of breath was like a kick to the ribs. I waited for the onslaught to begin, I waited for him to show himself and let rip at me with that monster that I knew was seething away just under the surface, but when I looked up he was standing further away from me, as if being too close disgusted him and he glared at me in fury, his chest heaving in and out as if breathing were painful for him too. His dark unruly curls hung over his eyes and they were still his eyes, the ones I remembered, n