Page 86 of The Magic of Revenge
There was a small cut out in the side of the barn, we had pygmy goats at one point and that way they could easily get in and out of their stall. I crawled over to the flap and gently pushed it out, seeing if I could see anything. My heart was in my throat, I was so fucking scared. I didn't see anyone and I wasn't about to risk getting stuck in here. Reaching for my phone, I knew I should text Sloane and tell him something was up. I frowned when my pocket was empty. Where the fuck was my phone?
Shuffling over to the entrance to the stall, I saw my phone on the ground with the spilled food and water. Fuck. I must've had it in my hand with all the other shit. Idiot. The ominous creak of the barn door opening nearly had me pissing my pants. Fuck the phone. I needed to get out of here. Now. I hauled ass over to the little door and slipped my upper body through, praying to the stars and all of the curvy goddesses above that these fucking hips weren't going to be the death of me.
If I could sneak out through this exit, then I could double back and get to Sloane. I pulled myself through, scraping my hips in the process, but I was just glad to be out of there. Heavy footfalls were moving within the barn and I swallowed a scream and pressed myself against the outside of the barn. I was shrouded in the shadows and knew I needed to move soon, but I was frozen there.
You gotta move. Whoever is in there isn't anyone good.
I moved silently toward the front of the barn. If whoever was in there was in the back, I could dart across the lawn and get back to the cottage, hopefully before they saw me. Inhaling a few deep breaths, I told myself on the count of three I'd run. I'd run and not look back.
One...
Two...
Three...
"Gotcha," a familiar voice whispered from behind me, and then I did scream. I spun around in horror, seeing the face of a man I thought I'd once loved but now knew that it hadn't even been close to love.
I backed up slowly and Bryce's manic smile widened.
"I told you I'd be back to claim what was mine," he spat, and I nearly stumbled as I tried to put space between us. He just kept advancing, though.
"Bryce. What are you doing? They'll kill you," I threatened him, hoping to scare some sense into his dumb ass.
"I had to get Laurie out of here. You're my prize. Come here," he ordered, reaching out for me and I darted away at the last moment.
"Get away from me," I snarled, my demon taking over. My wings, tail, and horns sprouted and the sick fuck's eyes gleamed as he took in my new form.
"I wonder, can one clip a demon's wings like they do a bird? I'm going to get a nice little cage to keep you in." He inched closer. Oh, fuck that noise. I wasn't going anywhere with him. Where the fuck was Sloane?
"My mates will be out here any moment," I told him, hoping he would get the hidden message there. Better run, or you're gonna die a gruesome death.
He threw his head back and laughed loudly.
"Your mates aren't here, are they? You lying bitch. They're at that whore's house putting out a convenient fire," he boasted, clearly proud at his diversion.
"You son of a bitch, where is Annie?" I growled and he smirked.
"Come here and I'll tell you." He crossed his arms across his chest and waited. He knew me. Knew how big my heart was. It was both my biggest strength and possibly my greatest weakness. My skin crawled as I stepped closer to him. When I was an inch away from him, he uncrossed his arms and smiled victoriously. I waited until he reached for me and I brought my knee up as hard as I fucking could, nailing him right in the balls.
"Agh, fuck!" he roared, falling to the ground. I didn't hesitate, I took off like a shot across the property, heading into the woods. I jumped over briars and logs, my heart pounding so loud I could hear the blood pumping through my veins.Just keep moving. Keep moving.The sounds of branches being smashed met my ears and I knew he was already hunting me. Shit.
"STOP RUNNING!" Bryce screamed and I swallowed a squeak of fear. Who knew what he'd do with me if he caught me. He couldn't catch me. I'd rather die than be at the mercy of his hands again.
A loudwhooshechoed through the trees and a sapling to my right exploded, a frozen arrow splitting it clean in half.Oh my gods. He's blasting fucking water arrows at me?When another arrow sailed past me and landed in a tree that was two inches from my head, I saw a cliff ahead and ran harder than I ever had. If I could get there, I could dive off and let my wings carry me away. The forest was too dense here to fly through.
Twenty feet.
"You're MINE, Saige!"
Whoosh.I screamed as another arrow flew past me.
Fifteen feet.I can make it. I have to make it.
"Stop. I'm warning you!" I didn't stop. Fuck him.
Whoosh.
Ten feet.
