Page 20 of Voices in the Stars (The Lost Witch #1)

I screamed as the dagger flashed toward me, eyes squeezing shut.

Everything in me froze as I waited for the searing pain that never came.

When I opened my eyes again, Atlas was leaned over me.

His head was bent down; a curtain of his hair blocked his face from view.

His chest was heaving as his arm was stretched out next to my head.

When I turned to look, the dagger was plunged into the dirt right next to my ear.

My body trembled as I waited for him to do anything. To say anything. It felt like an eternity before he moved, shifting just enough to look at me. Fire burned in his eyes as he ripped the dagger out of the ground.

“You can’t escape me.” The promise darkened his voice. “I won’t let you harm anyone.”

I was just as confused by this as his comment about me burning people. No part of me was dumb enough to argue with him right now. Maybe ever again. Instead, I just nodded along.

“I know,” I stuttered out, hoping it would help convince him.

Atlas nodded at my words before he stood. So much for getting away from him. All I did was make everything much worse. I was sure pissing off a killer would only mean good things for me now.

“Get up,” he ground out.

I quickly followed his instructions, keeping an eye on him as I stood next to him. Disgust twisted his face as he looked me over. Fire burned in my chest as I fixed the cloak. Atlas didn’t say anything else before grabbing my elbow, dragging me back into the town.

He didn’t let go of me as he led us back to where I had left him. We walked just a few buildings down before he stopped.

“What’re we doing?” I quietly asked, looking up at him.

His gaze was sharp as he glared down at me.

“Shut up,” he hissed.

My mouth snapped shut as he pushed me forward into the building.

There were long rolls of different fabrics everywhere.

They laid in folded piles on the floor. Some were draped over mannequins in half pinned dresses and vests.

There were thick leathers laid across wood tables with little shoes displayed next to them.

Scraps littered the wooden floors. The air was thick with the scent of leather and sickly-sweet perfume.

I hissed as his grip tightened the further back we walked.

There was a couple sitting along the back wall. The man was reclined in a wooden chair reading a rune laden paper with drawn pictures added. Meanwhile, the woman sat on the floor with more fabric around her. There was pale blue fabric draped across her lap as she stitched along it.

I stumbled as Atlas pushed me down next to her. She jumped, hissing as the needle she was using grazed her finger. Her brows furrowed as her glare moved from me to Atlas, then her face fell.

“I’m so sorry, we didn’t mean to ignore you,” she groveled at his feet, flashing pleading eyes at the man next to her.

The man peered at Atlas over the top of what he was reading.

He let out a small snort, fear still swirling in his eyes, before he returned his gaze to the pages.

I wanted to laugh at his failed attempt at indifference.

There was a slight tremble where his hands grabbed the newspaper, his knuckles turning pale.

Atlas didn’t seem to find it funny, though, as his posture was rigid when he turned his gaze to the woman.

I certainly hoped this wasn’t the reaction he was hoping from me now. Disgust filled me at how she was pleading with him. She shouldn’t be forced to sit here and grovel to him. To anyone.

“That’s really not necessary, miss.” He spoke softly, like he was calling out to a scared animal .

My jaw dropped at the change in him. I did nothing but exist, and this man tried to kill me. He was making my mind spin.

She brushed her shaking hand down the front of her dress, wiping away the dirt that had settled into the fabric. I glanced over at the sitting man right as he let out a deep breath, his hands no longer shaking.

It was obvious why everyone acted like this around Atlas. The knife to my throat was all I needed to know about him. He’d done something terrible. Or was a part of something bad. The specifics didn’t matter. I just didn’t know what I was supposed to do about any of it.

“I was just wondering if you had some shoes already made that would fit my friend here?” He flashed her a fang filled grin before gesturing over at me.

My brows furrowed as I looked up at the two of them. Shoes? All of this was just to find me shoes. The lady looked over me, focusing on my feet. Her eyes lit up when she glanced back at Atlas.

“I might,” she said before running through a door behind her.

I glanced around the fabrics in front of me, listening to the rummaging and sound of things being thrown around.

I was scared to name the dark feeling that twisted my stomach.

I felt like an asshole. He was running around, trying to find somewhere that would have shoes for me.

Grabbing one of the bundles of cloth, I twisted it around, trying to find a distraction between the folds.

So, he was trying to do something nice. That didn’t cancel out him trying to kill me twice.

I thought he owed me at least one more good deed to cancel each other out.

Or maybe I needed to raise my standards.

A snort sounded from the man as he crumpled the papers in his hand. “Don’t know why you bother with that one,” he muttered, glancing over at me for the first time.

I stood confused, ignoring Atlas’ hand as it grabbed my elbow again. That was an odd reaction to the fabrics he was selling. Figured he’d be taking the chance to sell us more from his store. Gods knew I would rather a fancy dress at this moment, as long as it was clean and mine.

“These?” I specified, pointing at the silver material I had just been looking at.

“No, not the damn fabrics.” Venom filled his voice. “You’re all the same.”

“Excuse me?” I questioned, dropping the fabric as I crossed my arms.

The man ignored me, looking over at Atlas. “Your bitch should learn how to speak to men.”

The hand on my elbow pulled me back until I was behind Atlas.

His shoulders were squared, back tense as he towered above me.

A chill ran down my spine as I looked between the two men.

Everything about Atlas screamed that killing this man wouldn’t even make him break a sweat.

There was no way I would be able to stop Atlas.

Not with the way he was clenching his fists.

“Don’t act upset, boy.” Atlas’ jaw ticked at the man’s words. “Boots are pointless for them. I’m sure you’ve gotten your use out of her. Leave ’er here, I’ll make her work.”

I had to fight a gag as the man looked over my body. I pulled my cloak tighter around me, unable to fight the urge to slide behind Atlas. His arm partially curved around me, acting as a barrier between us.

That was the last moment of peace before a cracking sound tore through the shop. Atlas lunged forward, his fist slamming into the man’s face. He cried out, holding his nose that was now gushing blood.

“I might’ve shown kindness to your wife.” His words were a growl as they tore from his throat. “That means nothing for pathetic men like you.”

Atlas didn’t stop there. I cowered back as he grabbed the man by the collar of his shirt, slamming him into the floor, fists smashing the man’s face.

“I found them!” the woman yelled as she came barging in through the door.

Her words were followed by a scream as she took in Atlas on top of the man. Boots thudded to the ground as she dropped them. I rushed over to her, wrapping my arms around her before she could run to them. Her body was shaking as it crumpled into my hold.

“Please, I’m sure he didn’t mean it,” she pleaded in my ear.

“Atlas.” My voice shook as I spoke up. “I think he’s had enough.” My eyes closed, hoping that was enough.

The wet smacks continued for another moment before there was silence. I let go of the woman, turning to watch as she ran to the crumpled heap of a man. Atlas walked over to me, blood dripping from his knuckles. At least I knew he wasn’t sexist; he’d kill everyone equally.

“Put them on,” he muttered, pointing at the boots and feet coverings.

I nodded, quickly listening to him. Tension buzzed off of him.

The woman held the man, sobbing as she ran her fingers through his hair.

I snapped my gaze away from them down to the tattered boots.

This wasn’t my fault. My need for shoes brought Atlas here, but that man did this to himself.

The boots were slightly too big as I slid them on, but they would still be better than being barefoot.

Gods knew where else Atlas was going to drag me to.

Atlas dug through his pockets as I stood straight.

He threw a handful of coins at the man before he turned, walking out of the shop.

The man groaned as several of the coins hit him.

A sigh of relief left me at the sound. Atlas was only an attempted murderer.

Because that was so much better. I turned away from them, walking toward Atlas as he waited for me by the door.

“Let’s go.” He held open the door, looking outside. “We have a long journey ahead of us.”

I nodded, walking out the door. I was ahead for a moment before Atlas stepped into place beside me, keeping a slower pace this time. I was being led out of town by a monster, and there was nothing I could do about it.