Across The Divide by Stacey Marie Brown

you ?” He took a step toward me. “And if he fulfills his oath, I die. If I stop him, he dies.”
    “And I’m pretty much dead either way. Yeah.”
    Croygen regarded me, his face expressionless, except for the heated ire in his eyes. Then in a flash his countenance crumbled and a howl of laughter boomed from his chest.
    It jarred me at first, the burst of mirth, but the twisted sick hilarity of our situation struck me too. A smile cracked my mouth, and I snorted briefly. It was like a trigger. Once one came out, the rest would not be contained. I bent over as more and more giggles erupted out of me. Tears leaked down my face. Croygen’s laugh only spurred mine on. I gulped a few times, getting air as our merriment quieted down.
    Sprig’s body jerked, and he sprang up. “What? What? Breakfast? Yes, I agree.” He glanced fuzzily between Croygen and me. “They have room service here, right?” Then he fell back over, snoring.
    Croygen and I glanced at each other and burst out laughing again.
    It felt like a giant boulder was temporarily lifted off me. So much bad lay ahead of us, more than I could probably handle, but it felt good to laugh, really laugh.

CHAPTER NINE
     

     
    Leaving Croygen was difficult. He gave me comfort, a strange peace, knowing he was with me in this. Before, I would never have considered him a friend, someone I would let in. But being here, you got past the bullshit. His presence lightened me. I didn’t feel so alone.
    I departed, agreeing to try and come back the next night. To communicate during the day was extremely risky. I was never left alone.
    It was strange for Croygen to be my anchor. Besides Sprig, he was my only link to Ryker, to the person I had become, to the life I wanted. Rapava’s mind tricks and jabs at my former beliefs and actions were hard to keep brushing off. Having been forced to delve deeper into the character Rapava wanted me to be, it helped having Croygen and Sprig to never let me forget who I was now.
    I would never again be a Collector or the girl I was before the storm. I had been through too much, seen too much, and my feelings for Ryker were far too powerful. Still, it didn’t mean I was resilient to the relentless battle being inflicted on me daily by Rapava and my old Collector comrades.
    At one time I believed fae were evil. While some were, Rapava showed me humans could be capable of far worse.
    By the time I got back to my room and crawled onto my cot, I was exhausted. It had taken me awhile to scrub Sera’s blood off me and my shirt, stealing the water in Sprig’s cage they had for him to drink. I turned my top inside out, hoping no one would really notice till I could get a clean one. The memories of her violent death replayed in my head until finally sleep sucked me in, claiming me.
     

     
    Fingers slipped along my backside, my naked skin tingling as his touch curved over my ass to my lower back. A smile arched my mouth before my eyes even opened. I turned my head to him.
    Ryker was on his side, propped on one elbow, his jaw set, but his eyes glowed with need. We watched each other, his hand exploring my body.
    “Why haven’t you found me yet? Where are you?” I tucked my arms under the pillow.
    “You know I’d be there if I could,” he said.
    “I’m scared for you.”
    “Don’t be. Worry about yourself. You know, no matter what, I will find a way to you.”
    “Can it be now?”
    The side of his mouth hooked in a half grin. He leaned over, his lips brushing over my shoulder.
    “Croygen’s here.”
    Ryker pulled back with a groan. “Wow. You know how to ruin a moment.”
    I snorted. “You know me.”
    “Yes.” Ryker’s eyes burned into mine. “I do know you. Don’t you forget, Zoey.”
    “I’m trying not to.” I bit my lip. “Actually, Croygen and Sprig help keep me grounded. I don’t want to lose myself completely.”
    “You won’t. You are way too strong. And stubborn.” Ryker tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His