Page 12 of The Stars are Dying

The warning in his tone rang through me. I thought to take off running, but within me cried the hopelessness of that decision as I was sure to be caught.

“Please… I just need to get to the town.”

He lunged for me when he was close enough, and all I could do was stand fast as feeble prey in his grip. The man searched my eyes wildly, as though his answer were written all over me, and the harsh lines of his face smoothed out. Then his eyes widened, stunned. I tried to struggle when he slipped a hand into my cloak to take my wrist. Tears gathered in my eyes as he pushed up my sleeve.

His hold slackened when he observed the markings there. I took the opportunity to yank my hand free, bracing to fight him off, but he didn’t reach for me again.

“Forgive me,” he said. His unnerving stare made me feel like a ghost he’d stumbled upon. Then hebowedhis head.

I didn’t know how to react to his quick switch of emotion.

“By the stars, Auster will be disappointed he didn’t come with us this time.”

It all made sense then, and I almost relaxed. This man believed I was someone else.

“You’re mistaken. I’m not who you think I am.”

The man looked me over from head to toe. Then he smiled. Warm, and like he’d found some long-lost treasure. I couldn’t reciprocate.

“You have to come with me,” he said, reaching for my arm, but I jerked away. His frown turned to confusion. “You’re not safe out here. Come.”

As he reached for me again, a low voice eased out like the calling of death.

“I don’t think she wants to go with you.”

We both turned, and the man swore, retrieving his stormstone sword. He angled it toward the two soulless who stalked over to us. I couldn’t believe more of them had found us so soon when I’d passed through these woods so many times without seeing a single one.

“You need to run,” the man said under his breath. “I’ll hold them back. Don’t falter no matter what you hear.”

I’d wanted to get away from him, but now the thought of leaving him wreaked havoc within me. I didn’t think I’d be of much use, but I retrieved my dagger, prepared to stay with him. Regardless of his motives with me, he didn’t deserve to die like this.

“Listen to him.”

I shook my head at Nyte’s voice interfering in my mind, sparing a quick look around, but he was nowhere to be seen.

The man’s gaze skimmed the weapon I held, then he hooked a brow as if it added further merit to his observations. I couldn’t focus on that when the cruel smile of the first soulless edged closer.

“I can handle this. You must get to safety. We will find you again,” the man said.

I didn’t want to be found by a stranger again, one who’d decided to stake a claim on me, and my arm faltered holding my dagger. My mind rushed through the many heinous reasons he could want me, making running seem like the best option.

“Bold of you to venture on this side,” the soulless drawled. “You could advance many in our army. Both of you.”

“Run—now!”

I didn’t contemplate this time. As the man lunged toward the vampires with impossible speed, I ran. My feet stumbled, and I cursed desperately when the snow slipped my footing, branches catching on my ankles and clothing. Every step felt too slow, but I didn’t stop.

A loud cry I distinguished as my savior’s rang in the distance, and I whimpered. Guilt swam in my stomach, exertion torched my chest, and I thought they would catch me at any second to kill me the next. I hadn’t even learned his name, and if he’d given his life for me, I would forever be plagued by this cowardly retreat.

“You’re almost there. Keep going.”

Nyte’s voice came soft this time, a gentle comfort. Tears streamed over my cheeks, and then I wanted that man to find me as he’d promised, if only to confirm he’d triumphed against the soulless. But it was two against one, and my mind replayed that final cry as his downfall.

I broke through the tree line, immediately doubling over on my knees. I heaved and spluttered, but there was nothing to bring up, and it only stabbed through me.

“You must keep moving. Where are you going?”

Nyte’s question gave me some ground to stand on. I couldn’t waste the precious time I had and risk the soulless catching up to me.

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