Page 37 of Bad Moon Rising
Sirens sounded in the distance.Move.
She managed a wobbly, painful stand using a spiky tree.
“Well, shit.” Her jeans and sweatshirt were torn and bloody. Not only did she have no clue where she was, but she also needed new clothes. An onlooker would think she’d visited a war zone. Not exactly the best appearance when she wanted to avoid attention.
Moving hurt. But she clawed her way up the incline before the emergency vehicles arrived, not easy with a damaged index finger. She rested at the top in the shadows of several trees with her hands on her knees, a few hundred yards from the accident site. A sprinkling of rain tickled her face. The flashing lights spiked her adrenaline and pushed her into motion. A fast, limping walk away from the crash scene was the best she could manage. A road sign advertised a fuel station about a half-mile away. Time to commit a few small crimes and steal some clothes.
…
Nova gripped Roman’s flat key tight in her fist as she entered the flat. If he wasn’t back, she could return it to the hallway table and pretend she hadn’t left. As if that wasn’t the stupidest plan ever. Explaining away her injuries…yep, idiotic idea.
Silent darkness greeted her.
A smart girl wouldn’t have returned. With no memory other than Roman, though, she didn’t have a clue where to run. She was stuck with the inhuman super spy whose name was tattooed on her wrist, despite the fact he didn’t want her around.
As well, the cell phone, her lifeline to the only past she remembered, had remained in this room, since she hadn’t taken it to the corner store. She refused to leave without it. Perhaps, she could snag the phone and go. She flipped on the light.
Someone stepped out of the dark bedroom like a lethal shadow.
Chapter Ten
On instinct Nova attacked, attempting to clock him in the face and kick his shin, but he dodged. He slammed her against the wall and ripped off the blackheadscarf she’d found in the back of her stolen car—oddly fortuitous find.Great way to mask the damage to her face, but didn’t hide the blood that had seeped through her stolen clothes.
He caught her jaw, his fingers biting into her skin as he wrenched her head around.
“Where have you been?” Roman snapped. Hostility radiated from him, a palpable force that seared her skin.
Words wouldn’t come. Her thoughts froze.
“What happened to you?” Hoarsely, he whispered, “Where were you?”
She rasped out, “I went to get food. You were gone for hours and, in case you hadn’t noticed, there’s nothing here to eat. I hadn’t eaten in over a day, maybe longer.”
“You were missing for six hours.” His voice came out a purr of soft menace, as if he distrusted everything about her. His big hand covered her jaw from ear to ear.
“I went around the corner to the shop. On the way back, someone drugged me—stabbed me in the thigh with a needle—tied me up, and shoved me in the back of a truck.”
His grip lessened until he stepped back, although didn’t release his hold on her while he examined the damage on her face. “What does the other guy look like?”
“Dead.” Her hand drifted to her face before she realized. She crossed her arms, but pain ricocheted up the shot one. She tried to hide her wince as she uncrossed her arms but suspected he hadn’t missed it. “Being kidnapped apparently makes me go a little nuts. I changed into…whatever we are. It was…I didn’t know I could do the things I did.”
His tone smoothed out and went almost melodic. “Are you telling me the truth?”
“What’s up with the weird tone? Are you trying to use some sort of magical persuasion on me again?” She pushed at him to get free, but he didn’t let go. “That’s the second or third time you’ve tried to force me to answer a question.”
He glared at her in the darkness. “Why should I believe you were kidnapped?”
“I’m telling the truth. Why would I come back if I lied about this?”
“I don’t know what’s truth anymore.” It came out soft, almost frustrated. Louder, he said, “I instructed you not to leave the flat. There were protective wards on the place.” His piercing blue eyes penetrated her as if he could look inside and read all her fears.
“You didn’t say anything about protective wards,” she murmured. “I was hungry. But like a good dog, I came back.”
“For all I know, you were out meeting someone.” He waved at her face. “And doing something you shouldn’t have been.”
“Who would I meet? If I was doing something bad like you’re implying, why would I return looking like this? I don’t know who I am or what I am. I don’t, well didn’t, know I could change like that.” She threw up her arms. “If I knew anyone on this continent…hell, anyone on the planet other than you, that mage, and your irritating brother, I’d find them if for nothing other than to get away from you and all the accusations. I’d do just about anything for a decent meal and sleep.” She cradled her arm and rolled up the sleeve. “I’m sick of being shot.”
“Did you learn anything before you killed this guy?”
