Page 130 of A Drop of Anguish
I blink, trying to get my bearings. Moments ago, I was with Liz, now I’m in a dark tunnel with Jarron’s demon form. The body holding me tightly against the wall shakes. He’s trembling.
What the hell is going on?
“Jarron?” I whisper.
He shakes his head. “We have to get out of here,” he whispers so lightly it’s hard for even me to hear.
“What do you mea—”
He presses his palm against my mouth. I squirm but otherwise accept his reprimand and keep quiet. I don’t know what to think about everything, but if he’s afraid… I should probably just shut the hell up and listen to him.
“Oh,Candice!” a sweet voice singsongs. “Where did you and my future husband run off to?” A bite of anger enters her tone in the last words.
My heart pounds. Why is Jarron running from her? What did she try to do?
She said she was on our side—well, sort of. At least she wants Mr. Vandozer dead.
Of course, we have a few other issues to contend with also, like the fact that she’s literally his slave. And the fact that the Akrasia Games need to take place to save her.
Liz’s voice continues her gentle croon, but it fades into the distance. She’s getting farther and farther away.
“I thought we were going to work together.” Her voice is fading, but it’s also getting increasingly tight. She’s not pleased with our disappearance. “But I guess we’ll have to be enemies once again. Just a little suggestion, you should move away from your boy toy before the spell takes hold. Wouldn’t want to have to present Mom and Dad with another body to bury.”
My eyes widen. What did she do? How could she joke about something like that? But still, I trust the demon holding me.
He remains still, other than the gentle tremble in his limbs.
Finally, he pulls back, removing the pressure on my chest and than leads me down the tunnel. I can’t see where we’re going. Can’t see the dips and curves in the uneven ground.
I try my best to follow without making any noise, but every time my feet make scuffing sounds, his hand tightens around mine. When my shoulder hits a jutting stone and I gasp, Jarron whips his attention to me, his eyes nearly glowing red.
That’s a new one.
Does that mean he’s angry with me?
Apparently fed up with my human clumsiness, his arm snakes out, and the next thing I know, I’m off my feet and tight against his chest again. I release a breath and follow suit, wrapping my legs around him. He rests his chin on my shoulder and breathes in deeply then continues walking with me in his arms like a damn toddler.
His walk is seamless and soundless. I was just too clumsy. I want to ask so many questions, but I’m afraid of making too much noise again. Will he be angry with me? Will we be caught and killed?
Several minutes later, Jarron presses me up against a wall.
“Jarron?” I whisper. “Are you okay?”
Then, his body shivers and his skin smooths, but his eyes are still ruby red. Does that have something to do with the spell Liz cast? Either my sight has adjusted to the darkness or there is some small source of light nearby because while everything is shadowed, I can make out some of his features inches from my face.
His chest rises and falls dramatically. His face is wild and frantic, shadowed in the darkness, making it all that much more intense. What the hell is going on?
Then, his lips are on mine. He grips the back of my head, pulling me tightly into him. I gasp but part my lips, allowing him access. His body shudders, and he groans low when his tongue meets mine.
“Candice,” he murmurs, pulling back to touch his forehead to mine, “no goodbyes.”
Was that in reference to our last kiss when I said it was a goodbye?
“What’s going on? Why did you grab me and run away from Liz?”
His grip on my waist eases, so I release my legs from around him. He remains close, his chest against mine, taking in sharp breaths.
I place my hands on his chest.
