Page 69 of Blackwood

Another, quieter shot went off, and warmth sprayed across my face.

“Drop it!” Someone shouted through the constant scream in my ears. More pops, like fireworks going off on the next block.

Something large landed on my chest, knocking the wind out of me and blocking what little vision I had left.

Everything went quiet except the whine in my ears, and I realized this is what dying feels like.

The shadowy woods flew by in a rush. I bounced along like a bag of potatoes, lifeless and heavy. It was cold, getting colder, and I couldn’t seem to gather my thoughts. The pain in my head didn’t stop and dimly echoed from other places in my body. And I cried. Not because of the sharp aches like razors across my mind, but because of the man in the grave.

After what I imagined were hours, the jostling stopped. Strong arms lifted me.

“She doesn’t look so good.” A familiar voice. My ears had stopped ringing, but sound only came through in muffled tones.

“Don’t you think I know that?” Another voice, this one laced with worry. Sheriff Crow. “Help me get her into the truck.”

“Yes, sir.” The fuzzy shape moved away. Rory, maybe?

“You’re going to be all right.” The sheriff walked gingerly, cradling me close to him. “Hear me? You’ll be okay.”

I tried to respond, but nothing made it past my swollen lips.

He laid me down, my head slightly elevated. The engine cranked, and faint warmth poured against my left arm.

“We’ve got you, Ms. Vale.” Rory. The back of my head rested on his leg as he pressed down on my forehead. More agony bloomed where he applied pressure, and I tried to swat his hands away as the truck began to move.

“Stay still.” He didn’t move his hand. “I have to stop the bleed. Shh. Please, let me help you.”

I dropped my hands, my fingers prickling as feeling returned.Try a little closer to home.Garrett.Cozied right up.Garrett. I dry-heaved, my body convulsing as everything inside me rebelled at the thought.

Rory leaned over and pressed his forearm across my hips to hold me still. “Sheriff!”

“Keep her steady, goddammit! I’m going as fast as I can.”

“I don’t know if she’s going to…”

Their words faded away as my thoughts circled Garrett like a murder of crows. The man I’d slept with, the one I’d come to love—he was responsible for my father’s death. He’d played me this whole time. But what was he trying to hide? My thoughts scattered until an unwavering determination remained. I would find out. Garrett would answer my questions. And then he would pay.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“—about fifteen hours, giveor take. I’ve given her something for the pain every two hours. Lessened the dose a little while ago.”

“When do you think the swelling will go down?”

“Days. These injuries are pretty bad, and head wounds take a while to stop swelling and bruising.” A cough. “Do you have any leads on who did it?”

“That’s an ongoing investigation, Doc. Can’t say more.”

Someone squeezed my hand. “You’ll heal, dear. You’ll heal in time.” The hand disappeared. “I’m going to get something to eat, then come keep an eye on her.”

“Sounds good. I’ll sit with her while you’re gone.” Sheriff Crow’s voice grew louder.

I forced my good eye open and blinked several times to clear the film. I lay in bed in a darkened room with a wide window looking out onto woods. The walls and ceilings were made of rough-hewn logs, and the décor was rustic with two sets of antlers on the wall near the door.

“Elise?”

“Yes.” My voice came out in a croak.

“Here.” After a beat, a straw pressed against my lips.

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