~ ZEV ~
He'd gotten dressed and they were back in the car, rolling and rocking their way through the sanctuary.
Sasha had been silent ever since he'd started the engine again, but she kept staring at him, then turning away when he tried to catch her eye. His tension rose a stair-step every time it happened because he was convinced his nightmares were coming true. She was going to run from him and then what would he do? He needed to protect her. But he'd always sworn he'd never force her.
Then they took a turn in the road around a massive tree and on its other side the forest opened, the trees becoming fewer and further between. More grass, wider sky… and in the distance, the line of lights and rumbling that was the highway.
They'd be there in twenty minutes and she still hadn't spoken.
Then she shook her head and dropped her chin with a little laugh.
"What is it?" he asked quietly.
