Page 30 of Hell Kissed
But his eyes widen suddenly. His mouth drops open. And then he falls into me like a mountain collapsing. His weight pins me to the cold ground. A long blue sword made of lethal ice sticks out of Torben’s back.
And the largest giant I’ve yet seen stands over him.
“This is no place for the living!” he crackles.
And then they all surround me.
* * *
My arms ache from where the giants drag me through the snow. Spindly fingers dig into the wound on my upper arm, leaving a chill that goes bone deep. Undeniable power pours from them like rhythmic lapping waves. I shiver from the feel of it as much as I do from the swirling snow. The magic they possess crawls like ants across my flesh until all I want is the hottest shower so I can scrub myself raw and wash their touch down the drain.
Behind me, one of the ice men haphazardly carries my bag while angry, mewling sounds from inside where Loki is stashed away. The strange men who have infiltrated my life called him my guardian, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s biding his time now, or if he even feels the danger we’re stuck in. My cat is apparently much more badass than I ever knew, but I doubt he has a death wish.
Loyalty only goes so far. I shouldn’t be shocked. It’s a hard lesson I’ve learned my whole life.
Everyone I’ve ever known has let me down. As much as I want to know about my birth mother, she abandoned me when the only thing I needed was her. She’s alive and wants to see me, but she must have given me up for a reason. I spent countless years waiting for her to come and save me. To take me away. To give me the loving home I could have had. But that was only a young girl’s dream.
No. The only person I have who loves me is Bea, and our friendship just went from ride or die toit’s complicated.
You’re loved more than you know…The sweet melody of that mysterious woman’s voice fills my ears, but it doesn’t bring comfort and peace the way those words are meant to.
It brings pain instead, and frustration. Exhaustion even.
Loved? Please. I’m nothing more than a lone wolf now. A rogue. And now I’m a prisoner of the fucking ice giants.
So much for the pack and family. Mary is probably rejoicing that I’m gone. Her loyalty always had an expiration, and my ‘best by’ date passed long ago.
Everyone has a line in the sand they’re unwilling to cross.
I’m all for independence, but having no one in your corner is a lonely place to be.
My mind immediately conjures up images of the three mystery men—Latham, Aric, and Torben—but they can’t be any better than the people I’ve been subjected to my whole life. So far they’ve helped me on this journey, but only because it’s their job. If it comes down to me or them, I know they’ll choose themselves. And I accept that.
It’s up to me to get myself out of the mess I’m in. No one else will do it for me. I’m the only one I can fully depend on.
My gaze darts to the injured form of Torben. He’s nothing more than deadweight that some of the smaller giants jostle in their feeble attempt to get him along the steep path they’re leading us up. I half expect their skeletal forms to collapse in a heap from the struggle.
A mirthless smile curls the edges of my lips that they have to deal with his heavy ass. It serves them right for stabbing him with the icy sword that still protrudes grotesquely from his back.
Worry swirls in the pit of my stomach, but I swallow it down. Torben may be hurt, but his powerful magic still fills the air.
I take that as the small comfort it is. He’ll probably be okay. Maybe. I hope…
Funny how much I care about a complete stranger. But he’smycomplete stranger. For now, that’s enough.
The tall pillars of an ancient-looking temple come into view through the flurrying snow that’s growing heavier by the minute.
I’m almost glad when we finally reach it for no other reason than needing a reprieve from the cold.
That is… until I’m dragged in front of the largest skeletal creature. He stands like a tower against the flurrying winds. His jaw wrenches open and expels a hiss into the night.
“Earthly belongings have no place here.”
Ivory bone tries to slip under the hem of my shirt and pry the fabric up over my stomach in an attempt to undress me. No fucking way, thank you very fucking much.
I kick at the cold clawing bones that bite into my stomach, ribs, and breasts. My eyes clench closed as the ripping of fabric sounds through the night. The coat Latham gave me is tossed aside before more tears pull away in ribbons of cloth. My teeth grit hard. I curse them and kick them, but it’s all over in a matter of seconds.
The giants don’t take no for an answer, and soon my clothing lies in tattered shreds around my feet. Cold wind makes my nipples peak, and chill bumps break out all along my skin like tiny mountain ranges.
