Page 76 of Wrapped in Their Arms

He loomed at the end of the hallway, massive even byKindredstandards, all three heads swiveling in their direction.Noelle’sheart leapt into her throat, her mouth going dry with fear.Shefelt like a mouse facing down a particularly malicious cat.

Did he hear us?Didhe hear us plotting to escape?OhBlessedVirgin, what will he do to us if he did?

But theTrolloxonly shook his middle head, a sly grin pulling at his rubbery lips.

“Now then, piggy-wigs, time for beddy-bye,” the middle announced in a grotesque sing-song voice.Theleft head echoed the words with a dopey chuckle while the right head, bleary-eyed, simply snored.“Youwant to be well rested for your chores tomorrow,” the middle head continued.“Soscamper off to your rooms now.Oh, and don’t forget—nobreeding.Stayin your own rooms tonight or we might have to be veryangrywith you.”

The middle head’s eyes glittered with warning, the other two heads nodding in agreement like macabre puppets.Noelle’swhole body went tense, a pulse of anxiety thrumming in her chest.Shedidn’t like being so close to the huge, three-headed troll creature—didn’t like it one bit!

“We hear you,”Brightsaid, frowning.

Burn stood close to her, silent but bristling, his fists clenched at his sides.

Noelle wondered if he was about to say something defiant—tell theTrolloxexactly where he could shove his warnings—but thankfully, theDarkTwinheld his tongue.

“Good, then do as we say,” the middle head told them.Then, with a heavy, shuffling gait, theTrolloxturned and lumbered away, his footsteps making the floor vibrate beneath their feet.Thestink of him lingered—a sharp, sour blend of sweat, musk, and something metallic—almost bloody.

For a long moment, none of them spoke.Noellelet out a slow breath of pure relief—so theTrolloxhadn’theard their plans for escape.

This can’t go on,she thought, her heart still pounding.Wecan’t stay here.Wehave to find that key, and soon.

Burn glanced at her, his dark eyes softer for a moment.

“Don’t worry, baby.We’regoing to get out of here.Ipromise.”

Bright nodded, but his usual smile was missing, replaced by a grim line of determination.

“He can’t keep us forever.”

Noelle managed a nod, though she wasn’t sure she believed them.Shefelt impossibly small, lost in the vastness of this alien mansion, her collar still cold and heavy at her throat.Herbreasts still ached and her whole body felt hot and restless with need—a need that made her feel weak, dizzy, and more than a little afraid.

What was going to happen to them?

She had no idea and not knowing was maybe the worst thing of all.

42

NOELLE

They lingered in the hallway for a moment, none of them wanting to go off alone.

“Well,Iguess we have no choice,”Brightsaid at last.“Let’stry to get some sleep and we’ll plan some more in the morning.”

Burn nodded, scowling.

“Stay alert, both of you.Ifanything happens—shout.I’llcome running.”

To her surprise,Brightbent and swept her up in his arms as easily as if she weighed nothing.“Hey!”she protested, but he just smiled gently.

“Burn carried you earlier—now it’s my turn to hold you,” he said, his hazel-green eyes warm and earnest.“Anddon’t even try to say you’re too heavy.You’renot.”

Burn just grunted his agreement, brushing a callused hand over her shoulder in silent comfort.

Noelle let herself relax intoBright’sarms, soothed by the way both males seemed to want to share her protection, not fight over her.

They really are willing to share,she thought.Neitherof them is trying to claim me for himself.Inever thoughtI’dfeel so safe in such a strange place.

Bright carried her back to the rooms they’d been given and put her down reluctantly.Theysaid goodnight, each of them pausing for a moment—reluctant to part, even for a few hours.Burnsqueezed her shoulder andBrightpressed a soft kiss to her temple.Thenshe slipped into the vast, dimly lit bedroom that was now hers.