I was both in my body and outside of it. Seeming to float in a different part of the room. From there the vision below was astounding. I could see the powerful flexing of his back and backside. His tanned flesh moving sensually over me as he pounded into my backside. Distantly, I could feel the agony, the self-pity I was dwelling in. But from here, I could see that the strange silver-trimmed wings had folded up from my shoulders and then backward and down to lodge into his lower back. Pushing him down and slowing his movements. Sweat was beaded on him from the exhaustion of struggling against the unseen force. Does he know? The dark streamers were branching from him like sweeping tentacles, invading every part of me. But they were thinning over time. Growing weaker. Yet, those black and silver wings seemed to ripple as though they were somehow feeding on him in the same way he fed on me.

They all silenced. And I realized she was far more of a commander than I. She exuded some strange authority that I doubted I was capable of. They were all looking around lost. I pointed to the door. Pushing one girl’s back to get her moving. “Go.” I ordered. The others followed as a cluster. I saw Twinkets buzzing around my head. Tugging at my hair. Seeing that they wanted my attention, I looked over my shoulder and saw one of the huge gray ogre’s stepping into view at the end of that short corridor. Staring at the locked dungeon door with a look that told me he sensed something was wrong. Time stopped as he turned and looked at them. I ripped open the door and sent the girls spilling out like a tidal wave falling on the steps. “Run!” I shrieked so loudly I was certain that my voice echoing up on the hill had to have woke half the village below. But they obeyed me. Hair and skin of every shade and textur

James hefted me up like one of his sacks of squirrels. He held my mouth so only tiny whimpers could get out as I clawed the back of his hand. Drawing blood. Seeming unfazed, he continued to drag me backward. Straight toward my room. How’d he know? I got my answer once we were inside. The shutters were open wide, indicating my window was the one he’d came through. How long had he been here? The thought that he could’ve been sitting there watching me sleep was unsettling. It made me feel terrifyingly vulnerable. He pushed the bedroom door closed. Hoping it’ll muffle whatever happens in here enough that my parents won’t wake. This is bad. My instincts were crawling. James growled at me. “If you’re loud and you wake them, I’ll rip them apart.” I squeaked. Nodding behind his hand. I could hear the anger in his voice. Feel the fury rolling off him that told m

I had defied Mathis yet again. Despite what he’d ordered, I’d not gone to WitchFall. Earlier this morning I’d decided that it would be wise to save us both the grief of the argument and just go. But as the evening drew nearer I had two problems. One:  I couldn’t think of a way of leaving my parents’ house that early. I had no plausible excuse. Two:  I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I knew I should. Knew it would taper his fury at me some. And still, I was so reluctant that I couldn’t force myself to. But when there was a knock only a few minutes past six, I found myself scrambling around the small shelter trying to find a place to hide. There was nowhere. And my father was eyeing me as though I’d lost my mind. My mother pulled the door open and revealed him standing on our stoop. Leaning leisurely against his silver accented cane. His head tipped low beneath the dark brim of a tall hat. He was dressed in finery. A gr

He gave a satisfied nod and held his hand out for mine. “Come.” I reluctantly set mine in his bigger one. His folded around it. His thumb caressing along the back, possessively. A strange thrill flowed through me, warmth at the gentle touch. Appreciation at his kindness. Making me want more. Which only made me want to yank my hand away more. But doing so might shatter this strange bubble of gentleness he was creating. I’d rather stay here as long as I can and stave off whatever awful thing is coming next. Just as we were nearly to the carriage he stumbled and slumped forward. Surprised, I turned reflexively and caught him. A hand on his muscled chest as I steadied him. Frowning. “Are you okay?” His lips curved sideways, and he made it to the carriage to lean against it. Resting an elbow near his head as he eyed me. His face unreadable. He was very good at concealing his thoughts when he wished to.