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The guard came up behind me and slammed his fist so forcefully into my head that I fell hard into the snow, dizzy, confused, unable to move.
“Down!” The guard knew I was out of it, so he went to my sister, grabbing her by the neck and pinning her down. Then he tied her wrists with rope.
“No…” I could barely talk. There was only one of him, so I could take him out. If only I could lift myself up…I could stop this.
When she was bound, the guard moved to me next.
I tried to twist free, but he put a knee in my back so I couldn’t move.
Melanie looked at me, wriggling to be free, but it was no use. “Raven, are you okay? Talk to me.”
I couldn’t. I couldn’t think. My wrists were bound.
Then I noticed the torches coming closer, a man in the lead on a horse…in a bomber jacket.
And then I slipped under.
16
Crack of the Whip
I woke when my body hit the ground.
I was jolted awake, the panic immediately hitting me like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on my head, and that was when I became aware of the ropes around my wrists, the flames from the torches in the clearing.
I was back at the camp.
I didn’t escape.
I got us both killed.
My little sister was going to die…because of me.
The other prisoners weren’t there and it was dark out, so it was some time in the middle of the night. I had no idea if it was the same night as before, how much time had passed, nothing.
Melanie’s body fell next to mine a moment later. Her eyes narrowed when she realized I was awake. “Raven…”
“Melanie.” I groaned when the guard kicked me.
“We’ll hang the other girl first…and make this one watch.”
“No!” I started to writhe free of the rope that bound my wrists. “No, it was my idea—”
“Just this one.” Boots came into my line of sight before I saw a man lean down to look at Melanie. Only his back was visible, but I recognized the black bomber jacket. The backs of his fingers moved to her cheek, and he gently stroked her…like she was a pet.
“Don’t fucking touch her!” I tried to fight the ropes again. “You motherfucker!”
The guard kicked me again.
The boss ignored me. “Get her up.”
The guards helped Melanie to her feet.
The boss grabbed her wrists in a single hand, standing behind her, over her, possessively. He looked down into her face, watching her panic at his touch. “You trying to leave me, sweetheart?”
She just breathed.
“I’ll take you with me tomorrow, then.” He nodded to his guards. “Take her to the cabin.”
Take her where? I wanted to scream again, but at least she wouldn’t be hung.
The guards escorted her away.
But she fought their hold, trying to get back to me. “Raven!” Her cries pierced the night, her tears hot in her throat. “No! Please! Please don’t do this.” She continued to fight as they dragged her away.
Then her cries went silent.
The boss turned to me then kneeled, right over me. With brown eyes, thick hair all along his jawline, and fair skin marked by a single dark mole on his cheek, he stared me down, indifferent to me. His eyes were wide and unblinking, and he examined me like he didn’t know what to make of me. “Congratulations.” He had a deep voice that was even but innately terrifying. “You’ve made it farther than anyone. I hope it was worth it…but I imagine it wasn’t.” He got to his feet then nodded to the guards.
They yanked me to my feet.
I didn’t fight anymore since Melanie was safe. I’d already been prepared to die once before, and I could do it again. I could face my death bravely—with no regrets. I stood upright and looked at the guards in the clearing, the men who must have been part of the second search party.
Then the executioner came into view. His mouth was covered—but it was obvious he was smiling. “I’m really going to enjoy this.” He looked down at me then shoved his large hand into my chest, making me fall back to the ground. An arrow was still stuck in my arm because they never removed it.
Just get it over with.
I knew Magnus wouldn’t help me this time. He’d warned me, and I didn’t listen.
“Up.” The executioner kicked me.
I tried to rise, but with my hands bound, I couldn’t.
“I said up, bitch.” He kicked me again.
“We aren’t hanging her.” A beacon of hope came from nowhere, shining down from heaven, my savior giving me a lifeline with just his voice.
The executioner turned around to look at him.
“Not this time.”
Magnus had his hood down, so his face was visible, his features lit up because of the torch that illuminated his face. Even though the executioner was much bulkier, Magnus didn’t look the least bit intimidated. “She’s the strongest worker we have—”
