Page 126 of Silent Heart

“You’re at a sore disadvantage, Vlasov,” Adler sneered. “Drop the handgun.”

The pistol clattered to the ground. There wasn’t even a moment’s hesitation.

“I wonder,” Adler mused, “how far you’d be willing to go for this woman?”

Kolya might appear frozen in place, but I could feel the violent energy rumbling beneath the surface.

“Shall we see?” Adler pressed the knife hard enough that it bit into the skin. I clenched my teeth but couldn’t keep back the sharp inhale. “On your knees, Wraith.”

Kolya dropped.

“He bows for no man, but for you…. Fascinating,” Adler narrated with an almost scientific fervor. “Pick up the gun.”

My heart slammed against my ribs.No. No!This couldn’t be happening.

And yet, at Adler’s next command, Kolya obeyed, placing the muzzle against his skull.

“I won’t have you pull the trigger, not yet,” Adler said. “I want to get to know you better, wraith. Get in the van. Zip tie yourself to the shelf in the back.”

Kolya stood and took a step forward.

“No, Kolya, no please!” The skin on my neck rubbed against the blade, slicing me open. But the words were worth the pain. “Don’t go with him. You have to stay alive. You have to fight!”

Adler moved backward, giving Kolya a wide berth to enter the vehicle.

“The mark of a good soldier is knowing when to hang up his gun, water sprite.” Kolya’s gaze pierced me. “It’s going to be okay.”

No, no it wasn’t! “Not without you,” I managed to whisper.

Something cracked in the distance. The sound barely registered in the background chaos that ensued. But the sickening squelch a moment later was crystal clear.

Adler’s hold loosened. A great thud sounded at my feet.

Without his hold, my body pitched forward, but two strong arms of stone were there to catch me. Kolya wrapped me against his body, lowering us to the ground while moving into the shelter of the vehicle.

“Ssshhhh, it’s almost over,” he breathed. When his lips pressed against my head, I moaned. “Harley? What is it?”

“Head—” I croaked before passing out again.

Chapter 53 – Harley

Iwoke up a couple of hours later in the downstairs living room. Dr. Hoffner was peering over me, while my grandmother held smelling salts.

“If you feel sick, there’s a bucket,” the vet said kindly.

The lights were dim, but a current of voices droned in the background.

The animal doctor continued to examine me quietly, staring at my eyes, taking my pulse and temperature. I settled back and let him work, not even trying to piece together reality at the moment.

The couch was surprisingly soft. And warm. And smelled ssooo damn good.

“I might not let you out of my sight for the foreseeable future, sprite,” Kolya murmured, his breath warm against my cheek.

I smiled. “I would be okay with that.”

“Harley, how many fingers am I holding up?” Dr. Hoffner asked.

I squinted. “Um…three?”

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