The air stalled in my lungs when I understood what he meant. He didn’t plan to kidnap me and sell me to the highest bidder. He planned to literally sell my face.
“Hold her tight.”
Shit Pot scurried to the top of my head and wrapped his arms around it, pulling my chin to tilt my head back. His rank breath puffed in my face with each giggle as the redcap moved around to stand at my shoulder. My pulse jostled the blade as it rested on the line he drew with his spit.
Eyes wild, he raised his weapon up, and I screamed through clenched teeth, “Wait!”
The axe held strong above his head.
“I’ll give it to you!” I panted.
The handle slid in his grasp until the head of the axe hit the top of his hand. A sleazy smile spread over his face.
“Where is it?” he preened.
“How stupid do you think I am?” I growled. “You get the necklace or my head. Not both.”
He rubbed his chin in deep thought then tugged his hat from his spotted, balding head. “I am in need of refreshment. So are my friends.” They crowed with enjoyment. “I may take you anyway then ransack the place until I find the charm.”
“Yes,” they bounced and sang.
Their hold loosened, and I sat up, throwing the goblin attached to my head at the redcap. He screeched and tumbled back as I sprang to my feet, kicking and punching out at the others. They ran to dodge me but gave chase as I bolted for the door a few feet away. It slammed shut in their faces whenI yanked it closed. We played tug-o-war, the door swaying and banging with every pull.
The last thing I wanted to do was involve the one person—the one reason—they were here to begin with. If it meant saving my head from a band of bloodthirsty ankle biters, so be it. I’d gladly add another mark to the tally.
I glanced down the hall to Astaroth’s room. They had big balls to come here right next door to their king and steal something from him.
Astaroth’s room is warded!
If I could make it there, they couldn’t enter. But did that mean I couldn’t either without the pendant? It was worth a shot. I waited until they pulled and released the knob. The door swung inward, hitting several and knocking them down. I ran as fast as my tired legs would move, glancing over my shoulder as I went. The redcap was hot on my heels, axe raised ready to strike or throw. I hoped his aim was bad.
The door shook in the hinges as I threw myself against it and fumbled with the knob to get it open. It didn’t budge. “Please open,” I sobbed and slammed my shoulder into it when he neared.
“I’ve got you now!”
Murder gleamed in his eyes and in the drool coating his lips. His arm arched down, and the axe barely nipped my forearm as I jerked away. I raised my foot and kicked him square in the chest. The redcap hit the wall on the other side and bounced off onto the floor. Blood dripped from my wound, and I clasped my hand around it.
Shit Pot bounded toward us. “You’ll pay for that.”
I couldn’t take on all of them. I tried the door again, my hand slipping on the knob from the blood coating it. A tingle zipped through my palm before the door opened, and I fell inside. It slammed shut with zero resistance when I kicked it closed andcrab walked backward. The knob jiggled, and I jumped up into a fighting stance. A second later, the ax busted through the wood. The knob fell to the floor when the door opened. The redcap stood on the other side, with the axe resting against his shoulder.
His triumphant smile turned into a sneer. “You can’t hide from me, dearie.”
My heart ratcheted as he crossed the threshold. Instantly, a blinding light filled the room, and a powerful force jettisoned me backward. My spine hit something hard, and I crumbled to my knees. Searing pain shot down my back and spots filled my vision. I pushed through it and raised my head to see where the redcap went. Instead, I saw a shadow spinning wildly in the air and Astaroth launching through it.
