His fingers are like a vise on my wrist, and I can feel how strong they are. If he wanted, he could snap my arm like a twig.
I can’t stop staring at his hand as he continues to hold me fast. He wears brown leather gloves with holes at the tips of his fingers.
My heart pounds. They’re for his claws…
With a scoff, he lets go of my arm, stepping into the cave. “When you’re done yelping and tripping, come inside.”
He may have saved me from my fall, but he’s still my enemy. I can’t forget that.
Never let your guard down.
Finally, I follow him inside, stopping dead in my tracks. My skin grows cold all over when I spy a large animal in the middle of the cave.
For a moment, I think it’s the black wolf—the one that chased me all the way to the north.
I still don’t understand what happened to that creature, or Belle, for that matter. Both horse and lupine just seemed to vanish into thin air.
Then light washes over the cave, and I find myself gazing at a pile of furs. The black pelt of a wolf lies on top, and I also spy a bobcat, a bear, and a deer pelt, too.
“Well, sweet dreams.”
The faerie takes his leave, and I stop him. “Wait.”
He pauses at the mouth of the cave, giving me the profile of his face. “Yes?”
I suck in a breath. I have no idea what to say. I guess I’m still a little stunned; I thought he was leading me to a cell.
The Fae enslave humans and keep them as prisoners. At least, so I was taught.
“Is this where I will sleep?”
He gives an exasperated sigh, leaning against the wall to cross his arms. “Obviously.”
I glance at the pelts. “On the furs?”
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
I shake my head. “N-no…”
“Well, then, go to sleep.” He moves for the exit.
There’s not even a fire pit in here or anything to keep me warm. The furs are all I have.
“But… what about the cold?”
“Not my problem.”
Anger writhes inside me, hissing like a pit of threatened snakes, and finally, I lose my nerve. “My necklace was worth more than this!”
The faerie spins, and I flinch when I meet those flaming eyes. “If you want more, then you’ll have to bargain for it. So, pay up or shut up.”
I press my mouth into a line, eyeing him evilly. I really do hate him, and obviously the feeling is mutual.
With a roll of his eyes, he moves back towards the tunnel.
“Monster,” I mutter under my breath.
He's in front of me before I can so much as blink, and I scream, falling back onto the furs. How on earth did he move so fast?
