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“But she’s also in shock.”
“Can you help her?”
I lost track of the conversation. My mind couldn’t keep up.
“Hi, Briar. I’m Lark.”
I blinked again, turning my head away from the body on the bed.
“This is scary. I know.”
A girl close to my age sat next to me. “Can I sit by you? I promise I won’t hurt you.”
“Okay,” I managed to say, lifting a trembling hand to my face to brush the hair out of my eyes.
“I’m Lark,” she repeated. “I’ve been in a situation like this before, and I understand what you’re feeling.”
My lower lip jutted out as I hiccupped. I was going to cry. No, not just cry. I was going to fucking lose it. Inside, deep in my belly, it felt like a monster was trying to claw its way out. I began to shake as Lark lifted her arms.
“Can I give you a hug?”
“Yes,” I blubbered as my body seemed to have a mind of its own. I trembled as ice shot through my veins. My vision blurred, darkening around the edges. A sob left my lips. “He’s dead.”
“Yes. He can’t hurt you. He’s gone.”
Having someone else say the words made it real. I was attacked. The masked man held a knife. He tried to stab me several times.
I. Almost.Died.
“He tried to kill me.”
And he almost succeeded.
I stared at the blood on my hand, lifting it toward my face to stare at the tiny cuts.
Someone handed Lark a washcloth.
“Here,” she softly replied, “I’m going to wrap your hand to stop the bleeding. Okay?”
Her gentleness broke the barrier my mind had erected to keep me protected. I could breathe easier, and my chest didn’t feel so tight.
“Blair?” Creature crouched in front of us. “Baby, I’m so sorry I didn’t get here fast enough.” His eyes held pain and fury—a volatile combination.
“Balen,” I cried.
He dropped to his knees and pulled me into his embrace. “Fuck. I thought I lost you for a minute.”
He did. I almost went back to that dark place—the one I swore never to enter again, the place where hope didn’t exist.
“I’m here. I’m not leaving you again.”
Tears finally broke free, slipping over my cheeks as I buried my head next to his neck and wept. My shoulders shook as the cries ripped through me. I couldn’t seem to stop.
He must have sensed it. “It’s okay. You cry as long as you need. Let it all out, Blair. I’m your rock. I can take it.”
My rock.
I didn’t have one, not since I was a girl. My father had been that rock, and he was cruelly yanked away. Ever since, I doubted anyone could ever love, cherish, or protect me like he did. No one ever wanted to be the man who could fill such impossible shoes.
