Page 51 of Salvation
For now, she would relish this moment with the male who had stolen her heart.
EPILOGUE
The only soundthat cut through the early morning mist was the sound of Linda’s shoes as they hit the pavement. She hadn’t been able to sleep since Luna’s death. Well, not exactly true. Sleep had been something she hated and tried to avoid until her body threatened to collapse. When she was awake, he was quiet, but when she slept, his voice came to her every single time.
Running calmed her nerves. Helped her think. She hadn’t been happier in any one place since arriving here in Kentucky. The people were wonderful, and they appreciated her help. Still, she couldn’t stay here much longer. It was too dangerous for her to be near any breathing life force.
God, how she hated him.
That voice, dark and evil, filled her head and followed her from one life to another. Yes, she was on her… Well, she had lived so many lives she had lost count of how many this one was. She was born, lived, then died, but not without his threats of staking his claim on her. She was destined to be alone in every life because anyone she got involved with mysteriously died. It was him. It was always him.
As she jogged down the road, she headed into the forest, her mind finally reaching a state of calm. The sun peeked over the horizon and painted the sky pink, but the surrounding ground was flooded with fog. It rolled thick across her feet as she got closer to the river. As the sound of rushing water grew louder, she wondered why she hadn’t heard him in her sleep for nearly a month. She supposed he was searching for his brothers. Better for her, as it gave her a break. Maybe he had finally given up on her.
She shivered.
Not against the cool air, but because her life was a living hell. Every single life she had lived, she spent looking over her shoulder. Waiting. Linda wasn’t immortal because she grew old and died, but was she human? How did a human keep reincarnating? How did he expect to mate with a human? Would she still grow old and die if bonded to him?
Every time she came back, his dark voice filled her head and vowed she would keep coming back until such a time as he could stake his claim. It had taken a few lifetimes for her to figure out who he was and what the faint mark on her wrist meant. It was a mating mark, and it belonged to him. Or so he claimed.
She had tried everything to get rid of it, including tattooing over it. Nothing worked. Tattoos would fade away in a matter of weeks.
You can’t be rid of me that easily.
Linda jerked to a stop. His voice had never come to her while awake. Her skin pebbled.
“Leave me alone. I told you, I will never belong to you.”
Dark laughter filled her head.Such a foolish female you are. The mark on your wrist says otherwise. I will claim you and care not what you think of the matter.
Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to shed them. “You are a vile monster. You would have a mate who hated you?”
Fate has marked you as mine. You need not love me, only warm my bed. I have been alone for centuries and I tire of waiting for you.
“You would take me against my will?” Her mind raced. What should she do? She wanted to run, and so she did. Ran as fast as her legs would carry her. Down the road until she was running alongside the river. The fog grew more dense, but it didn’t creep up any higher than her ankles. Where was she going to go?
You seem to want to be chased, little one. I like a good hunt, but remember, I excel at hunting.
Her heart was now beating so hard it threatened to explode. She would welcome death, but it wouldn’t free her from the destiny fate had deemed her future. Why? There were no answers.
You should take care on where you are going.
She came to a sudden stop. Knew she should look up, but fear kept her gaze locked to the ground. Swallowing, she forced herself to lift her head and in the distance the site before her made her blood run cold. A steed, black as midnight and at least as large as any draft horse or bigger, stomped its hoof. Fog swirled around his legs, and with each exhale the beast took, steam escaped from his nostrils. He looked capable of breathing Hell’s fire.
Her gaze moved upward to the enormous figure perched atop the horse. His chest was covered in some kind of stamped metal. On his head was a helmet. A spike rising from the top and what looked like a sheep’s horns curled out of each side. His face was encased in shadows, and only eyes of red could be seen. In his hand, he held what she knew to be a scythe. He was the epitome of darkness and evil. What lurked under the armor? Man or monster? She bet a monster.
“Why are you here?” She knew it was a stupid question.
“You know the answer to that.” His voice was next to her. Even though he was far enough away, he would have to shout for her to hear him.
“Please. You need to leave this place. These people are good, and they don’t deserve to die.”
“You beg for their lives?”
“I do.” She rubbed her arms to ward off the bumps on her skin. He scared the fuck out of her.
“What do you offer in return?”
“I have nothing.”
