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Prologue
Quietly, I ran through the bushes, with stones and twigs digging and cutting into my feet and branches clawing my exposed limbs. The soft slippers I wore were no protection against the forest. My hair was a tangled mess, and scratches marked my hands and face. But somehow, I knew where I was headed. And I had little time before they released the hounds to track me. The bloody path I made meant the church would locate me straight away. As I crested the hill, I saw the road in the distance with endless cars. Quietness no longer my concern, I slipped and slid down the mountain, splashing through two streams in haste.
The long skirts I wore tangled around my legs, and I’d torn the veil from my head. The wedding would be soon. They’d be coming to collect me in the next few minutes, so this was time I needed to take advantage of. There could be no stopping or pausing. Nothing existed but running.
All the years of working in the fields meant I was fit. My frame may be slender, but I was healthy. The baying of the hounds screamed in the distance, and I realised my time was up. They’d come and realise I was gone.
I kept moving because there was no way I was going back to hell. Freedom was within reach, and I’d die before giving it up. The canines howled again, sounding slightly closer. They headed straight for me, the bloody trail I’d left acted as a beacon for them to hunt.
Suddenly, I reached the road and landed on all fours. Cars blasted horns and swerved. Frantically, I tried waving somebody down, but they kept moving. The hounds barked, and I knew I had mere minutes remaining. I stepped into the road, determined to make someone stop or hit me. Either was an acceptable end. A loud roaring made me jump, and a guy approached on a motorbike. I recognised it because we had dirt bikes in hell. The rider screeched to a halt and studied me.
The hounds howled again, and he looked to the dense forest.
“Get on before they see you,” the man rasped.
I didn’t hesitate. Even if this stranger killed me, it was better than what awaited me. Quickly, I gathered my skirts and climbed on, and we roared off. We were nothing but a spec on the horizon when they finally tracked me to the road.
I, Alexis, had pulled off the impossible and escaped hell.
Chapter One.
Alexis
My strange rescuer pulled up outside a long rectangular building and tapped my leg to get off the bike. I clumsily clambered down and finally got a look at the man who’d saved my life. Holy hell. He was tall, far above Second Minister’s six foot three. Studying him, I added another couple of inches. The guy was also broad and had a beard and a tied-back, wild mane of hair. His age could be anything from forty to sixty. I’d no idea, but kind eyes stared at me. Even so, dressed in jeans, a tee, and a leather waistcoat, he was threatening. I stilled.
“Don’t go there, lass. I had plenty of time to disappear with you. Come in. This here is my bar. We’ll get some food and see what you need,” he rumbled, and I almost leaned into his voice. Rich and smooth, with a hint of huskiness, it was warming my lonely soul. The biker strode towards the building and yanked a key from a pocket. I noticed it was attached to a chain hooked on his jean loops. And I followed because I had nowhere else to go.
“Hell!” I spoke aloud, giggling, and waited for the earth to open and swallow me. When it didn’t happen, I swore again. “Shit,” I stated hesitantly.
The biker stood there, looking confused.
“Girl, you okay?”
“I was taught if I cursed, then the ground would eat me. And I’d be sent to the fiery depths of hell and purgatory,” I whispered. A giggle escaped. “Crap!”
The biker’s eyebrows drew together. “If you want to swear, fuck, motherfucker, and asshole are good places to start.”
“Fuck!” I exclaimed loudly.
The biker watched intently with a hint of a smile as I cackled like a witch.
“Asshole, motherfucker! So another lie!” I mused.
His brows descended as he shoved open the door and walked in.
“Come on, let’s eat.”
“What’s your name?” I called. It was impolite to enter someone’s house without knowing their name.
“Magic.”
Oh, I liked that. Strong, although it smacked of heresy. Only God could create magic, but this man appeared to be magical. He was so kind.
“I’m Alexis,” I said, still standing on the threshold.
“Alexis, get your ass in here, girl and stop fannying about. It’s too cold today, and you’re letting heat escape.”
Oh, I knew about that, so I rushed inside and stopped as the doors shut behind me. My eyes widened as I peered around and absorbed the sight of the bar. Obviously, I’d never been to one in my life. Although the Elder Ministers sometimes snuck off, women weren’t allowed to do that. But women were not authorised to gossip either.
