Chapter 18: Your Protector (1)
Yoa stared a while longer, his expression was stoic, hard even, but those fingers still circled her knee rhythmically, gazing into pools of blues. In some lights, Nova's eyes sparkled, like the stars winking back at him in the depths of the navy night sky. Yet, Nova's eyes were so bright, so vividly blue, he was enthralled by them.
His outside appearance didn't expose the truth of his inner thoughts as Nova became self-conscious, brushing a few stray strands away from her face, wondering what state it was in.
Yoa noted the small action, his gaze flicking to her short, wavy locks, the mousy brown hair highlighted with pale strands, undoubtedly kissed by the sun. Yet, those in the forest didn't have such hair. It was another feature that set her side to everyone else on the island, the sun-kissed strands that didn't belong in this forest, marking her as different, as other, as an outsider.
Nova was weak and even to prey, she would be sought after. Yoa placed her on the more even ground of the forest floor, setting his gaze on the forest. "We must be quiet from here. The Takaru will pose no problem, but we cannot wake the Cihuateteo."
"The what now?" Nova stared up at him, her heart pounding more at the possible threats they would be coming across.
Yoa brushed aside low-hanging branches and wide leaves, holding them back for Nova as they trekked slowly and quietly through the forest. In a hushed tone, he explained who the Cihuateteo were. "Phantom women that paralyse victims. They rarely kill other women, but the creatures are deep sleepers and must remain that way."
Nova paled, freezing to the spot like cold water had been thrown over her body. "Paralyse... T-then what do they do?" Her voice trembled. This wasn't real. It couldn't be. Phantom women? Ghosts that paralyse?
Yoa hesitated. It was the first time in their short interaction she'd seen any hesitancy in the man. "Steal their souls." Then he added quickly upon seeing her eyes bug out. "But they prey on men and children."
"Oh, well that makes everything okay then," Nova couldn't help but sarcastically reply to hide the fear bubbling up in her body. Yoa's eyes narrow slightly, but he doesn't comment on her little outburst. Taking a steadying breath, she asked, "And the Takaru?"