He brought his blade to her throat, then let it glide down to the soft skin of her upper chest. He paused there. His voice turned sensual. “Shall I give it to you instead? The death you so desperately crave?” He lightly swished the knife in lazy circles.
A tingling sensation radiated down her neck. Her throat bobbed as his motions became slower and slower.
He suddenly turned his back, taking his knife with him. The sound from his throat was something of bitter irritation.
She took in the fullest breath of relief... or was it disappointment?
Relief. Definitely relief.
“You’ve hurt yourself enough from the looks of you.” He looked back at her, striking eyes roaming her up and down in assessment. “I have no intention of adding to the damage.” The low voice mocked her as his shaggy-haired comrade scoffed behind him. “Unless you make me.”
“Then what do you want? Why are you here?” She stepped toward them.
The forward motion suddenly made her feel unsteady, sick. Her vision went hazy and a wave of dizziness spilled into her head.
“I think you knowexactly whywe’re here,” he replied.
When she refocused, she beheld the three men staring back at her, quietly rumbling among themselves at the entrance to the tent. Her white nightgown was drenched in sweat despite the cold. She couldn’t tell if the perspiration was from fear or dizziness.
“You’re coming with us,” the captain announced.
“And if I refuse?”
Callum’s dark eyes glinted. “Then I’ll drag you out like a dog... using your hair as a leash.”
Whatever glare the captain delivered made his comrade take a purposeful step back in retreat.
“I’m not... I’m not going anywhere with you,” she stammered out. The thought to scream and alert somebody finally came back to her. “gua?—”
A hand wrapped over her mouth again, muffling her.
“All you royals are the same.” Callum’s chest warmed her back. He had been feet away, and in a blink, he was behind her while a billow of smoke rose where he had been standing.
Her fear climbed to new heights.
Teleporter.
He was a shifter of dimensions, a divine gift she had read was long gone from this world.
“I’ll lay it out for you simply,” Callum whispered. “Come with us, or everyone in this camp will die.”
She looked to their captain. He didn’t reprimand his lieutenant’s words this time, as if in silent agreement.
Panic consumed her. This was what she had been warned about. The types of beings who only wanted to take her—to use her to end lives.
She squeezed her eyes shut. She wanted to spill her own blood tonight, no one else’s.
She clenched her fists and gave the smallest nod in surrender.
“Good.” He removed his hand and shoved her forward, earning another aggravated growl from their captain. Her entire body jolted from the force, landing on her hands and knees. “Grab what you can carry.”
The only items worth grabbing were her handful of books. She grasped the spines, cradling them to her chest while the captain and Callum bickered, the third companion fixed at the entrance.
Her dizziness was getting worse. When was the last time she ate? She had been starving her body for so long.
On unsteady feet, she walked to the entrance of the tent. Her guards still remained as they were, posted outside.
“Teirn... Cedric...” she softly called to them.
