So she can murder me in my bed later? “I—of course,” I say quickly. “Anything you want.” The metallic taste of lies fills my mouth. There’s no way I’m leaving the window open for this creature.
“Hmmm, your kind can lie.” It’s as if she can smell the metal on my breath, and she reconsiders her offer. “Maybe I’ll just make you scream loud enough that he has no choice but to come out himself.”
I let out a squeak as I back into a tree. Get up, my mind screams. But I’m locked in place. I have to run. I have to fight. I can’t die like this.
She crouches before me and digs one of the points of her claws into my chest. “He’s begun amusing himself with humans, has he? Let’s see how long he’ll be amused if you don’t have an arm.”
The crone grabs my left wrist, yanking my arm. Her right hand rears back and upward. Those wicked sharp claws are going to sink into my flesh. I close my eyes and turn away as I see her hand move through the air.
A roar rocks the earth. The sound is part man, part beast, and all primal rage. Air rushes past me, and my arm is pulled painfully until it pops. I let out a scream as I hit the ground. My head strikes a rock.
I blink, dazed. My vision is blurry and all I can see are the woods. But behind me a struggle ensues. I try and push myself up from the ground, but my one arm refuses to work. The world tilts and I upturn the contents of my stomach. I continue blinking, trying to bring things back into focus. The pinpricks of sunlight poking through the dense canopy are far too bright. The noises far too loud. I fear I might be sick again.
These sensations are familiar. The last time I felt them was when I fell off the roof with Helen. Then, my world became hazy, and when I came to—
“Take her.” That’s Oren. “Go back to the manor, I’ll hold her off.”
“Thank you.” I recognize Lord Fenwood’s voice, even in my state, even never having laid eyes on the man. I know it’s him. Just like I can feel his presence behind me, warm and sturdy, undeniable. “Close your eyes,” he whispers, surprisingly tender and in stark contrast to the growling and grunting still happening behind us.
I don’t want to close my eyes. If I do, when will I wake up? And what will be happening then? But I want to stay out here even less, so I press my eyes closed with a whimper.
Two large hands slip underneath me, one around my shoulders and one under my knees. I’m weightless as the lord hoists me into the air and clutches me against his chest protectively. I was right, he is tall. But far more muscular than I was expecting. I can feel that rippling strength beneath the thin shirt he wears. Strength he’s using to protect me.
“You’re safe now.” Yet even as he says those words, a scream erupts from the beast. Nothing feels safe.
“Please don’t hurt me.” My voice quivers.
“I will never hurt you.” Truth.
“What’s happening?” I press my face into his chest so I don’t open my eyes out of temptation. I don’t think I want to see what’s going on. The image of that woman is already seared onto the back of my lids, threatening to haunt me for forever.
“You’re safe now,” he repeats. “I have you in my arms, so you have nothing to fear.”
It’s not an answer. But my nose doesn’t singe, so it’s also not a lie. I exhale with a whimper and put my faith in him as he carries me back to the safety of the manor.
