Now or Never: Wizards of Nevermore by Michele Bardsley

obviously weak. The strain of herholding the knife in a proper attack position made her arm shake. Plus, she had cuts on her from head to toe, most of them still bleeding.
    “I’m Sheriff Taylor Mooreland,” he said. “Tell me your name. Tell me what happened.”
    She bared her teeth again and moved backward, her gaze darting around the stones before returning to him. She wasn’t about to let her guard down. He didn’t blame her, but he couldn’t let her stand there and bleed to death, either.
    “You’re a magical, right?” he said. “You sent that raven. He brought me to you. These are my woods, and my home’s not too far.”
    She kept the knife at the ready but cocked her head in the same manner the raven had, studying him intensely.
    “I won’t hurt you,” he said.
    She was swaying now, too, her face going gray, but she wasn’t going to give him an inch. Her frown deepened, and she scooted back a few more steps, as though thinking about running. She wouldn’t get far, not before she either collapsed or he caught her.
    And he would catch her.
    “I won’t hurt you,” he repeated as he slowly, carefully rose to his feet. “But I’m coming over there. I’m taking you somewhere safe, I swear.”
    She shook her head violently and scurried backward until she hit the broad base of the nearest stone. Hereyes went wild then, and she opened her mouth as though she might scream.
    He rushed her, and within seconds, he’d divested her of the dagger and scooped her against his chest, banding his arms around her. She struggled violently, and he was surprised at the vehemence she managed to muster. He could feel how frail she was, how her body quivered with pain and exhaustion even as she kicked and wiggled and slammed her head against his breastbone. He grunted and hissed as she connected again and again. The worst thing about the whole experience was the silence. She didn’t make a sound as she tried to claw her way out of his arms.
    “My mama used to say that any man who told a woman to calm down deserved whatever came next,” he said quietly. “But I would kindly appreciate it if you would let me help you. Please.”
    She shuddered and went still. She was stiff in his arms, her body shaking so badly, her teeth rattled. Then she tilted back her head to look at him. Tears streamed from her eyes, and he saw her frustration, her terror, her surrender.
    She wept without making a single sound of distress. She stared at him, refusing to spare herself the humiliation. She was exposed, not only in body, but in soul, too.
    She broke his heart.
    Taylor swallowed the sudden knot that clogged histhroat. He dared to loosen one arm so that he could wipe away the tears. Her skin felt fragile, like thin parchment underneath his calloused fingers. “I swear to the Goddess, I will protect you.”
    He felt a quick, electric jolt. He shuddered, suddenly breathless, his focus riveted on the girl.
So shall you say, so mote it be.
It was what Ember said sometimes when she was making up her bespelled teas for customers. Still. Maybe it was his promise, or maybe it was her injured, exhausted body finally giving out, but her lids fluttered as her eyes rolled back in her head. She went limp in his arms.
    He laid her on the ground; then he pulled off his sweatshirt and wrapped it around her. With as much care as possible, he picked her up, cradling her against his bare chest, and took his precious bundle home.
    Getting to the house involved the longest walk of Taylor’s life, especially since the woman’s breathing seemed to go shallow. She was as soft and light as a bag of feathers, her skin so pale it was nearly translucent.
    When he managed to get through the back door and stumble through the mudroom and into the kitchen, he saw Ant leaning against the counter, still in his boxers and with a raging case of bed head. He almost dropped the mug of coffee he’d brought to his lips. Coffee splattered, and he cursed, putting the cup on