Page 5 of Song of the Shadow Prince
I pinched myself hard, the sharp pain confirming I wasn't dreaming. Counting my fingers, I confirmed all ten were there. This was real. Was I abducted? How? Hollywood sets were supposed to be secure, nearly impenetrable.
“Lady Arya!” Maeve's scream jolted me back to the present.
I spun around to face her and the others, my heart pounding. “Why are you calling me Lady Arya?” I shouted, my voice barely cutting through the roar of the rain.
Everyone froze, and for a few ponderous moments, all you could hear was the harsh pounding of rain.
“What is she wearing?” a voice hissed, low but clear, as others around me shrugged in confusion.
“What happened to her?”
“She looks crazy.”
“Has she gone mad?”
The voices swirled around me, a dizzying cacophony that made my head spin. I was on the verge of jumping overboard just to escape the noise.
“Where is the crew? Where are we?” I shouted, trying to be heard over the commotion. “Who are you people?” I edged closer to the boat’s railing, desperate for answers and ready to jump.
Maeve stepped forward cautiously, as if approaching a wild animal. “Lady Arya, you’re on the River Elara. The boat crew is here,” she said, gesturing to the people around us. “You fell overboard during the storm. Please, let us take you home. You’re not well.”
I vehemently shook my head. “No. You have me confused with someone else. My name is not Arya.”
Maeve sighed, a mixture of frustration and pity in her eyes. “Yes… yes, it is. I think you hit your head. Please.” She reached out a tentative hand. “Let us take care of you.”
The crowd was closing in, their concern suffocating. I couldn’t take it any longer. I spun on my heels, ready to leap overboard, when strong hands grabbed me and hauled me backward, throwing me to the deck.
I rolled, and the gadgets attached to my costume dug painfully into my skin. I winced and let out a shriek. “Fuck! What the hell?” I scrambled to my feet, glaring at my attacker. He was a towering figure, easily six-five, but the darkness and rain obscured his features. I squinted, trying to see through the water clinging to my lashes.
“Don’t hurt her!” Maeve shouted.
“Keep still, Arya,” he growled, his voice laced with annoyance. “You’ve already caused enough trouble tonight.” The sound of his voice, while deep and demanding, sent shivers through me, though I wasn’t sure whether they were the good or bad kind. But one thing was certain … there was a big neon sign above this stranger that just screameddanger.
I scoffed, incredulous. “Me? What the hell did I do?”
He snorted derisively. “As if you don’t already know,” he grumbled, turning his back to me. A very broad and strong back.He waved me off dismissively and addressed the others. “Bring her down to the bay and keep an eye on her until we reach the shore.”
A couple of men advanced towards me and my survival instincts kicked in. Adrenaline surged through my body as I ducked beneath a pair of reaching hands, my movements quick and instinctive. The rain poured down, soaking my clothes and making the deck slippery under my bare feet. The scent of wet wood and river water filled my nostrils, mingling with the acrid tang of sweat and fear.
My fist connected with the first man's jaw, and a satisfying crunch echoed through the storm. He staggered back and clutched his face in shock, blood mixing with rain as it dripped from his nose. Another man lunged at me, his wet clothes slapping against his body with each step. I spun away, feeling the sting of his fingertips grazing my shoulder.
Lightning split the sky again, illuminating the chaotic scene. I could see the wild eyes of my attackers, their breaths coming out in visible puffs in the cold air. The next man came at me with a low growl and I sidestepped his approach, bringing my knee up into his stomach. He doubled over with a wheeze, the impact resonating up my leg.
Maeve screamed something, but her words were lost in the thunder and pounding rain. I caught a glimpse of her wide, terrified eyes, and the sight fueled my determination. I wouldn't be taken so easily.
A large hand grabbed my wrist, the grip like a vice. I twisted, feeling the slickness of his wet skin against mine, and brought my other hand up to claw at his face. My nails raked across his cheek and he yelped, releasing me. His blood was hot against my fingers, contrasting sharply with the icy rain.
Another attacker came from my left, and I turned just in time to see him grab for my face. I ducked, the air whooshing pastmy ear as he missed. Using his momentum, I grabbed his arm and pulled him forward, sending him crashing into the railing. He let out a pained grunt, the sound almost drowned out by the tumultuous storm.
The tallest man, the one who had grabbed me earlier, stepped forward again, his eyes narrowed with anger. He moved with a predator's grace, his muscles coiled and ready. I heard the creak of the boat beneath us and the river slapping against the hull. Every sense was heightened, every sound and movement etched into my mind.
“Like I said, you’re nothing but trouble,” he said over the rain.
“I don’t even know you!” I shouted in desperation.
He scoffed. “Of course you don’t, little liar.”
He threw a punch, fast and hard. The others only tried to grab me, but this guy was trying to hurt me. I barely managed to block it with my forearm, but the impact jarred my bones. Pain shot up my arm but I pushed through it, retaliating with a quick jab to his ribs. He grunted as the force of my punch made him stumble.
