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“You don’t have a say.” He brushed by me, grabbing for his jacket.
“Whatever it is, it can’t be worth your life.”
He stopped like I had laid down the deepest insult, his muscles locking up. Outside the room, I heard branches from trees cracking, scraping at the window, his magic fuming out of him, connecting with nature, confirming what I already thought.
Tree fairy.
Slowly he turned his head back to me, his moss-colored eyes dark with anger. “They are worthmorethan my life.” He grabbed his pack, filled it with supplies, and marched out of the room, not looking back.
Exhaling, I snatched up my bag, following him out the door, suddenly wishing for the nap I didn’t get to take.
The sunset was already kissing the cloudy horizon, dusting the quiet streets with deep grayish-blue shadows. Icy air slipped through my coat, and I peered longingly at the few pubs that glowed with warm fires inside. The scent of cooked cabbage and sausage made my stomach growl, letting me know it had been hours since I had eaten.
A clock chimed in the distance, declaring it was only fifteen minutes to four.
“Szar,” Ash swore under his breath, peering between the train station and the pub, realizing his train would be departing soon.
“Let’s hurry.” He started to pull me toward the pub. “There is probably someone in there I can pay to take you back.”
“No. I’d rather go by myself.” I stopped at the curb, crossing my arms. My infamous stubborn streak was setting in. Determination and persistence usually ended up getting me what I wanted.
“Oh, no.” Ash flipped back for me, his head shaking. “You made it clear it was too dangerous for you to go back by yourself, remember?” He threw my argument back in my face. “And I concur. I would feel much better knowing you had someone watching you.”
“Watching me? I’m not an infant.” I hated how he couldn’t seem to see me as the grown woman I was.
He cocked a brow, burning more irritation up my back.
“And if you recall,” I reminded him. “I can take care of myself.”
“Not against the Russian Mafia.”
“Why do you even care?” I gripped the handle of my bag. “You didn’t even want me here.”
“You’re right. I didn’t, but it doesn’t make me a monster.” He glared at me with vexation. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Too late for that,” I spat, slamming my shoulder into his and marching past. He had hit on a deep insecurity, an open wound still bleeding from the last person. Someone I had loved with all my heart. And I hadn’t been enough.
“Hey...stop,” I heard him say right as two burly men stepped from the alley, dressed in dark clothes. They moved in front of me, one pressing the muzzle of his gun to my head. The resonance of the hammer clicking back, ready to fire, echoed through the air, and a cry stuck in my throat.
“Looks like you were skipping out on us?” The one with the gun to my head spoke. He had a white streak going through his short, dark hair like a mohawk, his face reminding me of a honey badger. The other one resembled a boar, with wiry brown hair, thick nostrils, and teeth like tusks.
“Not at all.” Ash came to my side, trying to put himself in front of me. “Actually, I was heading to the pub. Try my hand at gambling. Get the rest of the money for your madam.” He pulled out the bills we had left over from pawning my earrings. “I got this much.”
Boar swiped it from him, counting it. “This isn’t enough.”
The barrel pressed harder into my head.
“Don’t!” Ash kept trying to take my place. “Please don’t hurt her. It’s me you want.”
“Wewantthe rest of the money you owe,” Badger grunted.
“And I’ll get it to you.” Ash tried to bump me out of the way, but the gun dug into my skin. No emotion showed on my face, but every muscle shook. I was scared, but I was also fighting the instinct to protect myself. The need to fight howled under the goblin metal, crashing around inside, demanding to inflict pain.Death. “She had nothing to do with this.” Ash’s voice pulled me from my single-minded thought, focusing on him. “Take me.”
Boar stuffed the money into his jacket pocket, laughing. “Why choose one?”
“Plus, she seems like the perfect bait to play hostage.” A malicious sneer hooked Badger’s face, and he stepped closer to me, his gaze on Ash. “Young, beautiful...” He leaned in, his nose dragging up my hair, causing a chill to shudder through me. “And innocent enough, it would be fun to corrupt her. They’re so easy to shape and mold at this age.”
“You touch her…” When Ash growled, a few branches creaked overhead.
