Page 7 of Fortune's Favor

“Noooo! Stay away! Get away from me!”

“Jesus! Wake up, Gypsy! Wake up!”

Thrashing and fighting, I wince when my eyes open to bright light and my fist hits something solid.

“Shit!” He grunts and holds his side. “Jesus, woman! What the hell was that?”

“A dream,” I pant. “It must be just a dream. It’s not here. It doesn’t exist,” I babble, terror bubbling up inside me like hot lava.

“What the hell are you talking about, woman? Wake up!”

My eyes finally focus and I sigh, deep and hard when I realize that I’m here in his house. Alone in a bedroom that he told me I could use.

A bedroom without a snake. At least I think so. I jerk up to stand in the bed, whimpering, my terrified eyes searching the covers after I kick them off the bed.

“Is it here? Where is it?” I whisper. “It c-can’t be real. NO. No way.”

“What are you babbling about, Gypsy? What’s not real?” But I climb up on top of the bed frame, jerking my feet up, my eyes flying back and forth.

“Gypsy,” he says gently. “What’s wrong? What’s going on, honey?”

I can’t stop shaking and the bed frame wobbles around me where I’m wrapped around one of the four-poster bed frames. “H-he was here. I felt him. He was here.”

He growls and pulls his gun out of the waistband of his black silk pajama bottoms. “Where? Where is he? Do you know who he is?”

“Python. His name is Python.”

Alex’s brow crinkles. “Is that a nickname or something?”

“No. That’s his real name. His name from the beginning of time has always been Python.”

My voice is low, controlled. But I can’t quit shaking and my ears are peeled for that hissing, raspy voice.

“He said I’m his. I’m his bride. The gods stole me from him. He’s been searching for me forever and now he’s found me. He’s come for me.”

Tears stream down my face and Alex shoots me a befuddled look. “I don’t get what you’re talking about, Gypsy. You’re not making sense. But it sounds like you just had a horrible nightmare.”

“He had me wrapped up and I couldn’t get away.” I close my eyes and shudder. “I could feel his scales sliding across my skin. His scales were so rough and cool. He lunged for me with his mouth wide open and his fangs gleaming…”

“What the hell, Gypsy? It was a dream. Just a horrible nightmare of a dream. None of it was real.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, my eyes opening, meeting his. He looks so calm. His dark blue eyes were sharp and steely.

“I promise you. There was nothing in this room with you. Calm down, sweetheart. You can sleep with me for the rest of the night.”

He holds out his hand and I hesitate briefly before I hold out a shaking hand and reach for him, letting him gently peel me off the post.

“Come on, sweetheart. I’ve got you.” I shake my head and he sighs. “Will you feel better if I check the room?”

I nod and he pushes me gently out the door, his hand firm in my back. “Go ahead out. I’ll look around. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine and so will you. I’ve got this.”

I let him push me out the door and close it gently behind me. Then I wrap my arms around myself and shudder, my eyes searching the shadows.

Whatever that thing was, I don’t think it was just a dream. I think Python was my worst nightmare come to life.

I absolutely hate snakes. Especially giant, talking ones that won’t leave me alone. That think that I’m theirs.

Leaning against the wall, I suck in air and desperately try to convince myself that it’s all going to be okay.

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