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She let out a howl and swung again, aiming for his head. He lifted his arm and the metal connected with his forearm. He grunted and spurted forward, fire in his gaze.
His shoulder connected with her midsection and she gasped. The wind left her lungs with a wheeze as her back smashed against the forest floor. A burning sensation buzzed up her spine and through her chest as her brain grappled with how to escape.
Jace straddled her, his chest pressed close to her body. His triumphant laugh sent daggers into her heart. He wrestled the rod from her fingers before she could recover.
No!
He smiled with satisfaction.
“Let me go!” She jabbed her fists everywhere she could reach: stomach, legs, crotch.
Instead of making him angry, it only made him laugh more. “You always had fight in ya. Won’t do you any good now.” He captured her fists in his hold and secured her wrists in one of his palms.
Pinning her hands to the ground, he brought the fingers of his free hand to her throat and gently stroked. “Shouldn’t have ended this way. We should’ve had our daughter. Should’ve had a life together. Remember, the man who stole that from you wasn’t me.”
He compressed his hand around her windpipe and his breath was hot near her lips. She kicked and withered as he cut off her oxygen.
“Just think of our baby,” he said soothingly. “It’ll be over soon.”
There was no way out. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Her lungs spasmed and begged for air.
Clarity slipped through her fingers and memories washed over her. Memories of her sweet baby girl in her arms. So tiny. So fragile. Her lips a perfect bow shape, her eyes closed, her expression peaceful.
“What’s her name?” a beaming nurse asked.
Savannah sucked back her tears, confused. The brightness and sterility of the hospital surrounded her, and she settled further into the uncomfortable bed. The baby in her arms was staring up at her with wide, loving eyes. Her little lips twitched as she rooted for Savannah’s breast. Then she latched and suckled.
Savannah stared, riveted by the beautiful image. “Oh, baby girl,” she whispered. “Mommy loves you so much.”
“Her name, love?” the nurse asked.
Savannah didn’t take her eyes off her daughter, whose little hand reached out and squeezed her finger. The love she felt was so great she thought her chest would burst. “Arya,” she whispered.
The little girl blinked sleepily, as if content with the name.
“Sweet girl. I’m so happy you’re here.” Savannah’s body turned weightless and airy as she floated from the hospital room, her baby girl still snuggled happily in her arms. Light, so bright and white, surrounded Savannah and Arya in peace and warmth.
Wham!
The crushing weight on her throat and chest lifted.
“You fucking bastard!” A familiar male voice filled her ears. A rush of air entered her nose and mouth at the same time. There was a crunch of knuckles on flesh. Someone shrieked.
Cold wind touched her cheek and she opened her eyes to stare at the trees whirling overtop of her. The blackness beyond their leaves was speckled with stars.
She lifted her empty arms.
No, no, no!
“Arya!” she gasped. She patted her chest then reached for the ground at her sides. Her baby. She was gone. Taken from her again.
“Savannah!” Toth’s deep, rumbling voice encased her, and then he seized her in his arms, lifting her from the dirt.
He’s alive.
Relief stole her breath as she stared into his face. The chiseled line of his jaw and furrowed brow brought her heart beat to an almost normal rate.
His hand cupped her cheek and he searched her face with alarm. “Baby, what’d he do to you?”