Astrid’s POV
I chased after him despite my wobbly legs barely supporting me. He swiftly scooped up the crying child, but her wails grew louder upon seeing his furious expression and menacing fangs.
The toddler, perhaps around 3 or 4, fixed her gaze behind me, not on me, but on her lifeless mother.
“Shut up!” He shouted at her face, causing her to nearly leap from his grasp.
“Salem, please, don’t harm her. That child is innocent.”
Arching an eyebrow, he shook his head, his lengthy nails inching towards her delicate neck, poised to puncture her tender skin.
“But she might reveal everything, and I can’t take that risk.”
I was determined to prevent him from hurting this child, who had just witnessed her mother’s tragic demise. Yet, Salem’s madness had breached all boundaries; he was mentally and physically unbridled.
“You don’t have to hurt her. She’s so young, and I doubt she can speak or understand what happened here.”
He snorted and let out a crazed laugh, a true maniac in every sense.
