Second Skin by Linda Palmer

Author:Linda Palmer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: paranormal romance, camping alone, dangerous secrets, journalist adventure, adult 18 and over, paranormal bodyguard, shapeshifter cougar
Publisher: Linda Palmer

Chapter Six

I screamed.

Tyler tried to speak, but no sounds came out. I gaped at the arrow in horror, seeing but not believing my eyes. Was it sticking out the back? Oh God, it was. The bloody arrowhead wasn't like the ones I'd seen. It was made of four razor-sharp blades set at ninety-degree angles from each other. My stomach lurched at the thought of that evil thing ripping through Tyler's body, tearing flesh, muscle and who knew what else. How would we ever get it out of him?

"Take cover."

"Can you walk?" I didn't see how.

He managed a nod.

I grabbed my bag and let him nudge me up a couple of the steps with me tripping over each in my haste. When I didn't feel him behind me, I glanced over my shoulder.

He'd dropped to one knee, his face ashen, his breaths gasps of agony.

I darted back.

"Keys," he said.

"What?"

"Keys. Pocket. Go."

"You mean leave you?"

"Yes."

"Hell no." I slipped my right arm under his left. "Get up."

"Can't."

"Oh yes you can. Come on." With a massive groan, he got to his feet. Sweat now beaded his brow and upper lip, and both red stains had spread down the shirt to soak his jeans. I saw droplets on the rocks, too.

"You're bleeding to death. I've got to do something."

"Not here."

I tried to guess what our positions were when he was struck. All I knew for certain was that he'd been standing behind me. The arrow could've been launched from anywhere except below. I looked up the rock stairs and then down. Though down would be easier, how would I get help from there?

"Today?"

It had to be up, but maybe not all the way. This time I did the prodding, guiding Tyler as he slowly climbed. His arm across my shoulders felt heavier by the second, and we'd only managed ten steps before things fell apart. He dropped to one knee again and eased into a sitting position favoring his right side. "You go."

"Not happening." Fighting tears and losing, I glanced around again, though I knew there was only one thing to do. "We've got to hide in the bushes." I grabbed his hands, wincing when he yelped in pain but not giving up until he was standing. By then he gasped for every breath. "Over there."

Though the pitch would be steep, I thought we could settle out of sight if not completely safe. Anyone now watching us could easily see where we went, of course, and possibly try again to kill me.

"No." Tyler's gaze was planted higher up.

Hoping he could make it that far, I didn't argue. We climbed ten more steps.

"Here."

I swept some branches back and saw what appeared to be a trail. How had he known it was there?

I pushed my way into the trees and held back the limbs so he could follow.

He did, stumbling and abruptly stopping. He made a choking sound and retched again and again until his stomach had to be empty. Every time his torso heaved, he groaned. At last, he straightened with obvious difficulty and swayed precariously.

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