“Sure.” Harry rose on his hind legs until he could reach the cord where Alaric had threaded it. Three swift scissors of his teeth left the ends dangling. Harry took the end attached to me in his jaws and ground out, “Follow ’ee.” He headed to the door, his teeth clamped on the cord, and I tagged along obediently.
“Stay with Harry till we come for you, Robin,” Miriam said as I passed through the doorway. Then she turned back to Alaric.
The cool outdoor air felt refreshing on my face. I trudged behind Harry over to a big tree. Part of me wanted to be amused, or maybe outraged, at being led on a leash by a rat. The part in control right now didn’t care, though.
Harry let go of his end and waved a paw at the grass under the tree. “You might as well have a seat.”
“Thanks.” The word floated from my mouth. I sank to the cool grass. “Can you chew through the rest of this?” I held out my hands, not much caring if he released me or not.
Harry tilted his head. “I’d better not, yet. I’ll keep you company, though.” He settled on the grass beside me.
“What comes next?” My tongue had no constraints, so I added, “You’re Alaric’s friend, huh? You think he could ever fall for a short twink with no magic? He has a lot of magic. He shines. And his ass is awesome, and he’s smart, and I like his dick— Ouch!” I frowned down. “You bit me.”
“Nipped. You’re power drunk. Hush up now. You’ll thank me later.”
“Oh.” I did feel like I was drunk on the best champagne. I tilted my head back and watched the stars overhead appear and disappear as the wind ruffled the canopy of leaves. A car drove up and a man and woman got out, rushing toward the shed. I knew I should be curious, but I couldn’t work up the energy.
Noises came from the shed, a shout once, a growl like a captured bear, an inhuman scream that faded and was gone. Harry muttered, “And good riddance,” under his breath.
After a few more minutes, Alaric, the new man, and both women emerged from the shed. Miriam said, “You take care of the rest. I’ll get the hunt underway for Barnes’s nephew.” She crossed the lawn, heading my way, as the man I hadn’t met splashed something from a can onto the sides of the shed. An acrid scent wafted across the grass toward me.
Miriam stopped at my side and asked Harry, “Any problems?”
“Nope. Happy as a clam, docile as a lamb.” He twitched his whiskers.
“We’re almost done. As soon as they light the match, I’ll set him free. You can get the cord off his wrists.”
Harry rose to his haunches in front of me. “Give your hands here then, Robin.”
I held my arms out and he made quick work of freeing me. The smothering cloud of white receded a fraction. A worry nagged at the back of my mind.
Alaric hurried to the other outbuilding next to the shed, found a hose, and turned it on. Water arced out in a glittering spray. He said, “Ready.”
The second woman struck a match and tossed it toward the shed. With awhoomph,flames burst free and rolled up the wood siding and in through the open doorway. The roof tiles caught, crackling and spitting sparks.
“Save me!”blasted through my fuzzy brain, ripping holes in the white lace.
The book!I shook off my stupor and plunged forward, charging toward the shed, arms outstretched.
Miriam shouted, “Stop!” but the screams of appeal and command from the book were louder.
Alaric grabbed me. I fought as he wrapped me tightly in his arms. He squeezed me harder, plastering me against him until I couldn’t breathe. I tried to hit, tried to head-butt, kicked his shin. He clutched me and turned his head away as my skull thudded on his neck.
And then, from one breath to the next, the screaming in my head was gone. I dropped like an anvil had landed on me. Only Alaric’s hold on my buckling body kept me from hitting the dirt hard.
“Oh! No!” I took a deep breath of smoke-scented air and burst into tears.
Alaric cupped the back of my head and pressed my face to his shoulder, rocking me through three racking sobs. Then, as fast as the fit had come on, my despair faded. I pushed at him and when he clung tight, said, “I’m fine. It’s gone. You can let go.”
“Are you sure?” He eased his grip bit by bit until he could look me in the eyes. Firelight danced in the shine of his gaze. “Really all right?”
“I’m good.” I wiped my face with the back of my wrist.
“Yeah, you sure are.” Alaric winked and smirked, and of all things, that steadied me. Behind him, the shed burned in a pyre of flaming walls. The other man walked around, soaking any spot where embers landed. Sparks rose to the heavens like a giant bonfire.
I shuddered. “You burned the book?”
“Yes. Safest. Trust me.”
