Chapter 17.2: Attack and retreat

Midnight laughed again, but as his laughter died slowly and silence filled the room, his breathing slowed down and Ryder heard his sigh. "I don't want to lose this..."

The heart in her chest skipped a bit as Ryder tried to push herself off Midnight to take a look at him, but the arms around her didn't let her move. Instead, one hand wrapped tighter around her waist as the other hand rested on the back of her head, keeping her face pressed against the warm chest of Midnight where Ryder heard for the first time his heartbeat.

Strange feelings filled her heart upon hearing the rhythmic heartbeat of the young man.

"Are you going to leave me when you find out who I am?" The voice was sad and almost trembled in the end. Ryder tried again to push herself off Midnight, unable to resist the urge to look at him but Midnight tightened the grip on her and rested his cheek on top of her head.

"No." She replied softly. "I won't leave you."

"Do you promise me?" The voice broke into a choked sob that