Neither of her captors seemed to notice her hesitation. “I knew someone was watching me. How did you find me?”
The men exchanged a look before John levered up on elbows to meet her gaze. “Luck mostly. We trailed you from the Macska estate to Texas after their matriarch destroyed Kazmer, but the time tunnel dropped us out in the middle of nowhere instead of taking us to your destination. When we were about ready to give up the search for you in that time, we came across a horse. A big bay gelding. Because we’re horse shifters, we can communicate with non-shifters. He told us about your journey, where you were headed, and how you set him free. We found traces of your essence by the abandoned wagon.”
What were the chances of all those events leading them to her?
Tanner checked the locks and then stepped away from the door. “The Fates decided it was time for us to find you.”
The Fates?
Those fickle bitches had left her for dead long ago. Why would they suddenly wish to influence her life? “I don’t believe in the Fates. Our actions and those of the people around us determine what happens in our lives. As John said, you got lucky.”
“And you’ve had a harder life than most.” He closed in on her, and just as panic pushed her to flee to another place and time, he halted. “I’m sorry for that, Sarah.”
A faint buzzing in her ears sparked her temper. “If you have something to say, then say it! I’ve had enough of your secretive chatter!”
John was on his feet in one lightning-quick movement, yanking back his partner’s hand when he reached for her. “I told Tanner to give you some space. That’s all. You get this wild look in your eyes whenever we get too close. We’re not going to hurt you.”
Whirling away, she blinked against the stinging tears in her eyes. She’d rather risk turning her back to them than allow them to witness her emotional weakness. The last time she’d cried, she’d awakened to find her son dead, but the mourning had been overshadowed by her persecution and death by fire. Her confinement in jail had prevented her from attending his burial. Even in the years she’d spent in hiding, she hadn’t dared visit his final resting place or focus on the devastating loss. Feeding her rage had been her lone goal.
She breathed in a slow inhale to relax her tight throat. “You can’t hurt someone with the ability to escape at will.”
A low growl came from behind her. “I wasn’t referring to assaulting you.”
Gathering all the sarcasm she could unearth, she barked a laugh. “You think I have feelings to damage? I lost my capacity to suffer human failings centuries ago. Nothing you say or do will affect me.”
John’s voice softened. “You adapted to survive, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t affected. Accept your goodness, Sarah. There’s kindness and generosity inside you.”
They saw goodness in her? No, that perception had to have come from the markings on her lower back. She was too good at hiding her inner thoughts for them to decipher her motives, and they were incapable of lying to trick her. Their eyes revealed souls far more honest and loyal than the average person.
“I’m sorry.” The remorse in Tanner’s apology reverberated through her chest. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. Why don’t you try to get some sleep while I stand watch? I promise to stay over here by the door.”
Footsteps moved away from her, and the distance brought a chill to her bones. She stifled a shiver as she turned to make sure they hadn’t vanished. Confusion warred with desire. They stood less than five feet from her, but it seemed like inches and miles.
Too close, yet too far.
The light touch of something when they’d studied the tattoo came to the forefront of her mind. Had they drugged her or added to the design? They might’ve pledged to protect her, but it could’ve been a ruse concocted to fool her into trusting them. Could she have read them
The men exchanged a look before John levered up on elbows to meet her gaze. “Luck mostly. We trailed you from the Macska estate to Texas after their matriarch destroyed Kazmer, but the time tunnel dropped us out in the middle of nowhere instead of taking us to your destination. When we were about ready to give up the search for you in that time, we came across a horse. A big bay gelding. Because we’re horse shifters, we can communicate with non-shifters. He told us about your journey, where you were headed, and how you set him free. We found traces of your essence by the abandoned wagon.”
What were the chances of all those events leading them to her?
Tanner checked the locks and then stepped away from the door. “The Fates decided it was time for us to find you.”
The Fates?
Those fickle bitches had left her for dead long ago. Why would they suddenly wish to influence her life? “I don’t believe in the Fates. Our actions and those of the people around us determine what happens in our lives. As John said, you got lucky.”
“And you’ve had a harder life than most.” He closed in on her, and just as panic pushed her to flee to another place and time, he halted. “I’m sorry for that, Sarah.”
A faint buzzing in her ears sparked her temper. “If you have something to say, then say it! I’ve had enough of your secretive chatter!”
John was on his feet in one lightning-quick movement, yanking back his partner’s hand when he reached for her. “I told Tanner to give you some space. That’s all. You get this wild look in your eyes whenever we get too close. We’re not going to hurt you.”
Whirling away, she blinked against the stinging tears in her eyes. She’d rather risk turning her back to them than allow them to witness her emotional weakness. The last time she’d cried, she’d awakened to find her son dead, but the mourning had been overshadowed by her persecution and death by fire. Her confinement in jail had prevented her from attending his burial. Even in the years she’d spent in hiding, she hadn’t dared visit his final resting place or focus on the devastating loss. Feeding her rage had been her lone goal.
She breathed in a slow inhale to relax her tight throat. “You can’t hurt someone with the ability to escape at will.”
A low growl came from behind her. “I wasn’t referring to assaulting you.”
Gathering all the sarcasm she could unearth, she barked a laugh. “You think I have feelings to damage? I lost my capacity to suffer human failings centuries ago. Nothing you say or do will affect me.”
John’s voice softened. “You adapted to survive, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t affected. Accept your goodness, Sarah. There’s kindness and generosity inside you.”
They saw goodness in her? No, that perception had to have come from the markings on her lower back. She was too good at hiding her inner thoughts for them to decipher her motives, and they were incapable of lying to trick her. Their eyes revealed souls far more honest and loyal than the average person.
“I’m sorry.” The remorse in Tanner’s apology reverberated through her chest. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. Why don’t you try to get some sleep while I stand watch? I promise to stay over here by the door.”
Footsteps moved away from her, and the distance brought a chill to her bones. She stifled a shiver as she turned to make sure they hadn’t vanished. Confusion warred with desire. They stood less than five feet from her, but it seemed like inches and miles.
Too close, yet too far.
The light touch of something when they’d studied the tattoo came to the forefront of her mind. Had they drugged her or added to the design? They might’ve pledged to protect her, but it could’ve been a ruse concocted to fool her into trusting them. Could she have read them
Similar Books
