Page 39 of North Is the Night
“It will be as you say,” the tall man says, offering his hand. “Stay and mind the fire,” he adds to his friend.
Paavo huffs, leaning back against my packs. “Take your time,” he says, slipping a whetstone from his pocket. Then he pulls free his hatchet, giving me a wink.
Bile rises in my throat. “I can walk myself.” Balling my hands into fists, I storm away from the fire.
The tall man follows. “Wait—girl—I don’t even know your name.”
“Goddess, if you’re listening, I could use a little help,” I mutter, looking for anything I can use as a weapon—a rock, a fallen branch—
“Who are you talking to?” he calls.
“Comeon,” I whisper. “Goddess, help me—”
“Hey—” He grabs my arm. “Where are you going?”
“I just—I—don’t want him to see us.”
“He won’t bother us,” the man soothes. “We can take our time.”
I go still, heart in my throat, as he steps closer to me.
Goddess, please...
He gives the knot of my hair a little tug and my damp tresses fall down my back to my waist. With one hand holding my arm, he gently takes a handful of my hair with the other, lifting it over my shoulder. Then he leans in closer still, lowering his face to breathe deeply, nestling his nose against my hair.
Help me.
“Gods, girl, you smell like a forest after a rain,” he says, his voice low with longing.
“And you smell like a half-dead bear,” I mutter, my back stiff as I fight the urge to pull away.
He laughs, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me closer. Lowering his face, he kisses my cheek, my neck. His beard bristles against my throat, raising the fine hairs on my arms. Gods, he really does smell awful. I arch away, not allowing him to reach my lips. All around us, the woods stand quiet, empty. The goddess isn’t coming to save me. I’m on my own. Is this a punishment for stopping? She told me not to tarry. She told me not to die too. Is this a test? Am I strong enough to survive it?
The trapper’s hands roam, taking what I haven’t offered. The feel of his lips is almost unbearable. Each kiss feels like the slap of a wet fish against my skin. I swallow back my rage.
Not yet.It’s Aksel’s voice in my mind now. He taught me everything I know about hunting.You’ll only get one shot. Be patient, Siiri.
The man undoes his thick leather belt with fumbling fingers, letting his knife and axe fall to the ground. Then he’s pushing me forward, leading me over to a mossy spot between two large rocks. “I’ll be gentle,” he says, his voice growing desperate. “I swear, I won’t hurt you. You might even enjoy it.”
He pushes on my shoulder, and we drop to our knees. I’m not breathing. I think I may have forgotten how.
Breathe, Siiri,comes Aksel’s voice.A sloppy hunter forgets to breathe.
I suck in a sharp breath as the trapper pushes me back, his hands still touching me over my clothing. I let myself fall away, lying on my back on the cool moss. A root rests under my shoulder; it’s hard and knotted. Above my head, the branches of the trees reach for each other with bony fingers, their leaves blocking out the sky. They hide me from the All-Mother. She cannot see. She cannot help me.
I’m alone.
The man pushes up on his knees. “What’s your name?” he asks, dropping his hands to the tie of my pants. I close my eyes as he jerks them down.
Wait...
He crouches over me, his breath hot on my face. The pain is sharp in my shoulder from the root, and my unbound hair is caught under me, pulling my neck back. I try lifting my leg to make sure I can reach inside my right boot. Panic rises sharp and fast in my throat. “Oh gods—” I gasp, my body going stiff. With my pants around my knees, I can’t bend my leg.
I can’t reach the knife.
He presses on top of me, his weight forcing all the air from my lungs. He fumbles, still kissing my neck as he tries to get his hand between us.
“Ouch—you’re hurting me!”
