Finding Pandora: Book One: World by E. Rachael Hardcastle

Author:E. Rachael Hardcastle [Hardcastle, E. Rachael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Curious Cat Books
Published: 2016-04-30T22:00:00+00:00

TEN

Arriette's nap was cut brutally short by a sharp scream. She listened for snapping twigs and doughy footsteps and after gathering the courage to investigate, Arriette rolled over to survey the clearing. She had to squint to make out the dark figure approaching and, leering forward for a finer view, realised her visitor was Dean Constable.

She opened her mouth to scream but there was no sound. His foul hands were reaching in to seize her.

Frozen, her initial thought was to wake from this nightmare.

“There's no hiding from a Retainer. I know this forest like the hairs on my knuckles, Monroe. You're coming with me.”

Dean dragged Arriette from her shelter and through endless leaves and dirt. She dug in her fingers and clawed at every branch, rock and vine she saw, but Dean was too strong. He flipped her, hooked a strong arm around her neck until Arriette's air supply fell short, then reached for his dagger as she spluttered to breathe.

Arriette waited until he bent to slit her throat then slashed at his face with her broken fingernails. Dean cursed and flung her across the clearing toward her friends, unaware she'd drawn enough blood for it to appear he'd been weeping crimson.

Arriette hit the ground with a thud, then doubled over in pain.

“Casper,” she coughed. “I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.”

The Shape-Shifter crouched with his head lowered and although he appeared to be uninjured, Baby A was shackled and the skin at her wrists was raw. The right side of her face throbbed and her left eye was swollen.

“I'm so pleased you're safe,” said Kalvin, running his finger down Arriette's arm.

Her eyes widened. “You! How did you find me, Kalvin? It's impossible.”

“Careless breadcrumbs,” he said, grinning.

Baby A spat at his feet then huddled closer to Arriette.

“You're going to regret disrespecting me,” he said.

With enough force to knock her over, he back-handed Baby A across the mouth. Arriette flinched at the sound.

“Damn you, Kalvin.”

“See what you made me do?” he said. “This is your fault!”

Kalvin drew a curved blade from his belt. Arriette's eyes were drawn to the shimmer, illuminating the initials KA beneath the moonlight. A scimitar like that was expensive. Everlast expensive.

“Look, Kalvin, I paid this girl to take me to the city. They're innocent locals.”

He gripped Arriette by the hair and dragged her up.

“How naïve do you think I am?”

“We should kill them here,” said Dean, polishing his boots with saliva.

“No, we'll go deeper into the forest,” said Kalvin, tightening his hold. “We keep Arriette alive.”

Arriette squirmed. “What do you want?”

“To repay my debts.”

“What about Rihaana, will you let her go?”

“Oh, let's just say Charles will owe me a debt when I'm through with her,” Kalvin replied.

Arriette wriggled free and lunged for his throat. Dean shoved her aside and knocked her down before Kalvin's boot finished the job.

Arriette cried out in agony.

“Strike one, Monroe,” Dean spat.

“I don't know where Rihaana is; I haven't been to Mousique in days.”

Dean growled and rolled up his sleeve, revealing the Raido rune beneath his elbow.

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