“Come on, then,” she said, her voice low and dangerous. “Let’s see if ye’ve the mettle to take me.”
The two uninjured men stepped forward, their leering grins sharp with malice. She shifted her weight, calculating her next move, her face betraying none of the terror clawing at her insides.
“Come any closer, and ye’ll regret it,” she warned, her voice steady despite her fear.
The men only laughed, exchanging glances before they lunged toward her. Annabeth turned sharply and bolted in the opposite direction, her skirts tangling around her legs as she sprinted.
I’ve got to lead them away from Elena.
Her breath burned in her lungs. The sound of their footsteps crashing through the underbrush behind her spurred her on, but they were faster.
She barely made it a few paces before one of them grabbed her arm, yanking her back with brutal force. Annabeth cried out, swinging her knife wildly, but another man slapped it from her hand, sending it clattering to the ground. “Nae so fierce now, are ye, lass?” one of them sneered, his grip tightening painfully.Desperation surged through her, and she twisted, sinking her teeth into the arm of the man holding her.
He cursed, recoiling with a hiss, but the other man grabbed her around the waist, lifting her off the ground. Annabeth kicked and clawed, her nails raking across his face as he cursed and shouted.
“Ye’ve got some fight in ye,” he said, laughing darkly as he wrestled her to stillness. Her struggles weakened, her strength no match for their brute force.
One of them hoisted her over his shoulder like a sack of grain, his laughter grating in her ears.
“That’s a good lass,” he mocked as she pounded weakly against his back. The other two followed, their voices jeering as they moved deeper into the forest. Annabeth’s heart sank as the trees swallowed them, the distant hope of rescue slipping further away with every step.
This is it. This is how it ends for me.
Her mind raced with fractured thoughts, her body aching as she hung limply over the man’s shoulder.
I hope Elena lives a long life with her bairn. I hope Marcus… I hope he’ll mourn me. And I hope he’ll look after me maither.
Their laughter echoed around her, each cruel chuckle twisting the knife of hopelessness deeper into her chest. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to think of anything but the fear threatening to consume her. The memories of her mother’s warm embrace, the sound of Marcus’ steady voice, and the way he’d looked at her that day by the fire filled her mind.
At least I’ll take those with me.
She felt the rough jostle of the man’s shoulder as he trudged deeper into the woods, the cold air biting at her skin. The ground beneath them grew uneven, the forest darker as they moved further from any chance of salvation. The other men continued to laugh, their voices mingling with the crunch of leaves and branches beneath their boots. Annabeth tightened her jaw, a flicker of anger stirring in her chest.
I willnae give them the satisfaction of seein’ me break. If this is me end, I’ll face it with me head held high.
The thought gave her a thin thread of resolve to cling to as they carried her onward, each step pushing her further into the unknown. Still, a quiet voice in her mind whispered of Marcus, and how she’d never see him again.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Iwant the horses saddled at dawn and plenty of provisions packed,” Marcus instructed, his tone brisk and authoritative. He stood in the courtyard, the cool air biting at his face as he addressed Eli.
Eli nodded, already mentally taking stock of what needed doing. “And make sure the smith looks at me left stirrup; it felt loose on me last ride, aye?” Marcus added, crossing his arms as he watched Eli bow his head in agreement before hurrying off.
The sound of hurried footsteps drew Marcus’ attention, his head snapping toward the courtyard gate. Elena stumbled in, her skirts hitched slightly as she ran, her face pale and her breathing ragged. Marcus’ brow furrowed as he stepped forward.
“Elena? What’s the matter?” he demanded, his voice sharp with concern.
Elena’s wide eyes met his, panic spilling from every word as she blurted, “It’s Annabeth! She’s in the forest, near the moss grove—she’s in danger!” She clutched at her chest, trying to catch her breath. Marcus’ jaw tensed, a cold dread curling in his stomach. “Did she fall? Is she hurt?” he asked, his voice low but firm though his heart pounded in his chest.
“Nay,” Elena replied, shaking her head frantically. “It’s men—strange men! They came upon us out of nowhere. She sent me runnin’, but they stayed behind with her!” Her voice cracked with fear, and her words struck Marcus like a thunderclap.
Marcus didn’t wait for more details. Without another word, he grabbed the reins of his stallion, and he swung up onto the saddle in one fluid motion, his face darkening with fury.
“Find Eli and tell him,” he barked at Elena before digging his heels into his horse’s sides and galloping through the gates.
I’ll destroy them for darin’ to touch her.
Marcus’ hands gripped the reins tightly as the wind whipped past him.
