Lila's Wolf (Out of Time Book 1) by Sofia Grey Page A

of beard covered his face, doing nothing to soften the cold purpose in his eyes. “Our orders are from Mistress Rowena.” His gaze slid past Marc to settle on me and a fleeting smile traveled across his lips, quickly extinguished.
    “I’m sure there’s some mistake.” I had to admire Marc’s calm. If it wasn’t for the window behind me, I didn’t think I’d be able to remain standing, my knees were shaking so much. “I’ll come with you to see Mistress Rowena,” Marc continued, “but my wife stays here.”
    He turned around, walked to me and embraced me, dropping a gentle kiss on my cheek. “Go to the jump site. Don’t stay here.” They wouldn’t have been able to hear his urgent whisper. I gave a small nod, and then I panicked. I threw my arms around his neck and held him close. I couldn’t shake the idea I’d never see him again. He felt strong and warm, his muscles hard to my touch. After a moment’s hesitation, he squeezed me tight.
    “Be careful,” I breathed into his ear. “Stay safe.”
    “And you.” He eased back, and our eyes met. He flashed me a smile and turned to face the guards, now crowding through the doorway. Shit . Behind those four were another three. Did it really take seven fully armed soldiers to arrest one merchant? Marc spoke to the men, confident and proud. “Take me to your mistress. I wish to speak with her and clear up this misunderstanding.”
    Two of the soldiers moved to take positions behind Marc, each snatching an arm and twisting it high on his back. I heard a surprised grunt of pain and I covered my mouth to stifle my cry.
    “There’s no nee—” His angry words were cut off by an armored fist to the side of his head. Blood spurted out and poured in a bright river down his temple.
    “ Marc !” I took a step before I realized the other two men were coming for me. I wouldn’t go quietly. My eyes swung left and right, looking for an escape, but it was no use. One soldier grabbed my wrists, tight and fierce, and shook me like a cat would a mouse. I wriggled, unable to avoid a cry, with pain snaking down from my shoulders. “ Let me go . We haven’t done anything!”
    “Quiet, woman.” The other soldier snarled at me, and raised his hand.
    Time slowed down to a series of fragmented images: Marc trying to break free, his face shocked and angry, staring at me in horror.The dull thump of a fist colliding with my cheekbone.The sting as the pain blasted outward, paralyzing my face and driving shooting pains down my neck. Marc shouting my name.The amused laugh of the guard holding me.
    “Feisty little one, this. Do you think we’ll have a turn when the master’s had his fill?” The words buzzed over my head but made as much sense as a swarm of mosquitoes. Blackness surrounded me, and my knees buckled. I had to stay conscious. Where was Marc ? What were they doing to him?
    I lifted my head, ignoring the shooting pain from my neck and the pulsing in my cheek where I’d been hit. My last sight of Marc, my brave ghardian , was of him being dragged from our room, a trail of blood in his wake.
     

Chapter Nineteen
    Jared
    Jared heard footsteps approaching the cellar. He listened hard. Several men, heavy with armor. They were most likely bringing another slave. God, please not little Kai, not punishing her for sneaking him a drink of water. He stretched his limbs and stood, cramped and awkward. The door opened wide and two guards marched in. Jared winced at the brightness of their torches, and kept his eyes half-closed while they adjusted to light again.
    A feminine perfume rose over the filthy smell of the cellar, and his head jerked up. Rowena . He assumed the normal eyes-down position, hands loose at his sides and, sure enough, a pair of red slippers appeared in front of him. She didn’t normally venture in here. He had to be in bigger trouble than he’d thought.
    A new fear slapped him in the face. Lila .
    “My mother-in-law has asked for you to attend her.”