Page 36 of Roman

The man looked terrified as her words sunk in.“I’m sorry, so sorry.I wasn’t thinking.”

“Well, that’s pretty obvious.”With a swipe of her arm, the guard lifted off the ground, hovering in front of her.“You’re a fucking idiot, and I don’t need idiots around me causing problems.”

And with that, she flicked her wrist, whipping his head to the side, snapping his neck.His body fell limp and lifeless to the floor, his head tilted at an unnatural angle.

Charlotte’s hand flew to her mouth as she tried to stop herself from throwing up.She looked away from the dead guard and slowly crawled back to the couch, pulling herself up and sitting on it, trying to make herself as small as possible in the hopes Tora would forget she was there.

“Why would you want to help a Lycan?”Tora asked slowly, walking toward her.

Charlotte chanced a glance over at Declan.He was conscious again, his eyes darting back and forth between Charlotte and the witch, his face covered in fresh blood.

“I… I don’t understand.What’s a Lycan?”

Tora laughed, tilting her head and staring at her, then she paused, her laughter fading.

“My Goddess, you’re serious, aren’t you?You have no idea.You really are as innocent as they say.”Tora moved, sitting next to Charlotte on the couch.It took all her will not to run away from the dangerous witch.

Tora moved her hand to touch her cheek.Charlotte flinched, unable to stop herself.The witch simply smirked, grabbing her chin and forcing Charlotte to look her in the eyes.She leaned in so close Charlotte could almost feel Tora’s breath on her face.

Her eyes swirled with power as she stared at Charlotte, slowly bringing her hand up to touch her fingers to Charlotte’s forehead.Tora murmured in a language she couldn’t understand as a warm pulse of unseeable power shot throughout her face.Charlotte could feel the pain in her cheek easing until it completely disappeared.Tora’s magic healed her of her wounds.This was the second time Tora had healed her.The first had been back in her apartment after she’d sliced Charlotte’s arm open and, to her utter horror, used her blood to write on the wall.

She’s just like Armaros,Charlotte thought, getting lost in the power Tora’s eyes held.

“In a world full of supernatural creatures, being an innocent, naive mortal is definitely not a smart thing at all,” Tora whispered to her, as her eyes returned to normal and she let her go.“There are things as old as time.Before you mortals were even thought of.There are magics so ancient and powerful they would blow your little mind.And there are creatures… so many different species, some of dreams, others of nightmares, some from long-forgotten tales that would keep you awake at night.You have much to learn.It really is a shame you’re going to die, Charlotte.There is so much of the world you have left to explore.It’s quite sad you won’t get to see it before it’s all in flames,” Tora told her, then she simply rose from the couch and walked away, leaving Charlotte overwhelmed with emotions as the witch’s words sank in.

Tora didn’t get far when her phone rang.She answered quickly, glancing over her shoulder at Charlotte.“What?When?Why are you only telling me this now?”she snapped angrily.Tora hung up and started running toward the front doors.“We’ve got company.Shoot to kill!”she yelled as the sound of gunfire came from outside the warehouse.

Roman… he’s come for me.The thought sent a shiver of pleasure through her.She couldn’t help but give a small smile as she watched the guards run around, loading their guns.

“Charlotte, can you undo the shackles?”

She looked over at Declan, the screams of the guards outside startling her.

“Quick, help me get them off.I will get you out of here,” he told her as he scanned the warehouse.All the guards had disappeared to defend the front entrance.

Charlotte nodded.Adrenaline made her heart beat a million miles an hour as she hurried over to him.She had to get on her tiptoes, stretching her arms as far as she could.Despite that, she was too short to reach them.She looked around for something to stand on.

“Get that crate,” he told her, nodding his head toward a small wooden crate against the wall.

Her heart felt like it would burst as she panicked, rushing to the crate and dragging it back over to him.Please don’t come back.Fear the soldiers would see her pushed her to move faster.Charlotte climbed up on the crate, finally able to reach the bloodied shackles, desperately trying to unscrew the bolt.One down.She jumped at the gunfire getting closer.

“They’ve broken through the perimeter.You four hold the line, the rest back in the warehouse to get the girl,” she heard Tora yell.

“Oh god, oh god,” Charlotte rambled, dread making her fumble with the second bolt, her fingers now covered in Declan’s blood.

“It’s okay.Take a deep breath and focus.”His deep voice calmed her.

She stopped, took a deep breath as he instructed, and tried again.“Yes,” she squeaked in victory as the second shackle fell to the ground with a clang.

Before she could blink, Declan wrapped his powerful arms around her and spun.Her back suddenly, up against the wall, his giant body surrounding her.The movement was so fast that it left her feeling lightheaded.

The sound of gunshots was deafening.She felt Declan’s body tense as he flinched and grunted three times.Horror dawned on her, realizing he’d just been shot.He’d used himself as a shield.

Charlotte had no time to see if he was okay as he flung himself away from her, pouncing at the guard with the gun.The entire scene felt unnatural as she watched him soar through the air, almost wolf-like.There was no way a human could jump that far and high and with such speed.

Declan landed on the guard, knocking him to the ground.He sat up, punching him repeatedly with both fists so fast the movement was a blur.The guard’s eyes were glowing yellow.

Demon,the thought whispered through her mind, as the demon started fighting back, kicking Declan off him.

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