Page 13

“Is that it? You take some fairy dust from one of his crew and skip out or something?” A lot of teens got in trouble that way. Not realizing how addictive and expensive their little high at a club would be.

“No,” she spat, like I insulted her.

“Then why are they after you?”

She didn’t answer.

“And how did they even find us?”

Nothing.

“Tell me!” I growled.

“When you tell me why you are going to Bucharest. Who’s there?” she volleyed. “A girlfriend? Lover?”

Fury ground through every muscle, feeling like she peeled back my skin, exposing my pain. I leaned into her face, only a breath away, forcing a sharp inhale from her.

“Revenge.”

Her bright green eyes searched mine, and I saw not horror, but pity flicker in them, as though she could see through me. Rage crackled up my spine, weaving through my shoulders.

Moving away from her, I stomped for the carriage door, the open space between steerage and the second-class compartments, needing air. Giving one glance over my shoulder, I saw a group of the men, their hungry gaze still on her, move to get up.

“Fuck,” I huffed, whipping around, heading right back for her.

“You don’t leave my side.” I gripped her arm, dragging her to the farthest section away from them. “You understand me?”

“You think I can’t handle myself?” She cocked an eyebrow, a bemused laugh as she fought against my hold. “I could make all of them piss themselves in fear if I wanted?”

“Until I have you safely on a train heading back home.” I twisted her to face me, speaking low. “You stay by my side.” My gaze went down to the thin goblin metal. “And it looks like you can’t do shit until we get that off you.”

“Awww.” She slanted her head in mocking. “Aren’t you just the covert hero wanting to keep the damsel safe? Such the gentleman.”

“I swear…” My molars cracked, grinding together. “Sit down and shut up.” Fuck, I was sounding more and more like Warwick.

She smirked, lowering herself into the straw. I was the one being played with.

“And I have a feeling you are anything but a damsel… though you distress the hell out of me.” I rubbed my face, taking a few moments before I squatted down near her. The stench of the damp hay had me sighing louder. It smelled similar to urine.

Hungry, tired, and annoyed, I laid back in the straw. My head was aching, my body craving fairy dust like a fiend. The need to feel numb, feel the serenity that came with not giving a shit, pounded between my ears and twitched my muscles. Having to worry about this girl was only fraying the ends of my patience. How the hell did this happen?

“Ash?” Her voice was soft, but not unsure or scared.

“Hmmm?” I muttered, keeping my lids closed.

“I can help you.”

My lashes fluttered up.

She tucked knotted hair behind her ear. “I think I could be really useful.”

“How?”

She looked off at the wall, staying silent again, though it was as though I could hear her mind buzzing with thoughts.

“Look.” I leaned on my elbows. “This might seem fun and exciting at your age, but let me tell you, it’s not. You need to go back home. Where I am going is not meant for people like you.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” Her voice rose, her brows crunching. “You know nothing about me.”