Page 193 of The Devil's Fire

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. He was threatening to hurt you. I had no choice but to follow his orders to protect you.” She explained, and I leaned back to look at her.

“What’s happening? Who are you talking about?” I anxiously scanned her face.

“I should have told you the truth from the beginning.” My mother’s eyes were filled with regret. “Althaia, honey, listen to me. Whatever happens to me, you stick with Damiano. He’s the only one who will protect you from him.”

“Don’t say that! Mom, please, you’re scaring me. Who are you talking about?” My breath halted as I waited for her answer, and my body grew colder with each passing moment.

“Make him swear to always protect you no matter what. Do you promise me, Althaia?” She looked at me firmly, and all I could do was nod.

“We don’t have time to go into detail, but–” The sound of a twig snapping interrupted her, causing her to snap her head quickly toward the noise. My body froze, not daring to move an inch or make a sound, not even to breathe as I cupped my hands over my mouth, afraid to give away our hiding place.

Light movements could be heard, the crunching of leaves letting us know we were no longer alone. I heard hushed whispers as they came closer. I strained to listen in on the conversation, realizing that they weren’t speaking English.

Korean?

I frowned the more I tried to focus on their conversation, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying.

We rose to our feet as quietly as possible, prepared to face whatever awaited us. My heart resumed its rapid pounding, and my legs trembled with fear. I had to force myself to calm down; this wasn’t the time to freeze up.

I pressed against the tree trunk, trying to catch what they were saying. Suddenly, I was shoved aside so hard I fell to the ground. The abrupt crack of a gun made me snap my head toward the sound, only to find my mother aiming at the spot where I had just been standing.

My eyes widened when I spotted another person coming from behind my mother.

“Behind you!” I screamed just in time for her to turn around and pull the trigger.

But it was empty.

“Althaia, run!” She yelled just as he lunged after her, but she blocked his attack and used the gun to smash him in the head.

I scurried to get up on my feet to help her, only to feel a strong kick coming out of nowhere, hitting me right in the ribs. It forced me onto my back and the air completely left my lungs.

I drew in a sharp breath and rolled to my side, violently coughing while gasping for air as pain radiated throughout my body. A scream escaped my lips when a fistful of my hair was grabbed, forcing me onto my feet.

“Let her go!” My mother screamed at him. She tried to get to me, but she was fighting off two people at the same time.

I clenched my hand into a fist and aimed for his face. He grabbed my arm and twisted it so painfully behind my back.

He forcefully pushed me against a tree, his body completely pressed up against mine, with his forearm against my throat, choking me.

I tried to claw his arm to break free, but he was so much bigger and stronger than I was. His arm crushed my windpipe, making me gag as I desperately tried to gasp for air.

I tried to push him away, but my push was too weak. I looked into his eyes; they were the only visible feature, and he observed me, tilting his head slightly to the side.

My eyes were slowly drooping, black spots appearing in my sight, when he suddenly removed his arm from my throat. I immediately took a sharp breath. The moment was short-lived when he grabbed me again.

My back was against his front as he held me in a headlock, my arms behind my back. I slowly blinked, my body growing weaker by the second. I regained some focus, seeing my mother being held by the two men, a knife against her throat, forcing her to stay still.

“It’s me who you want. She has nothing to do with anything. Let her go!” She glared at him and tried to break free, but the more she struggled to move, the deeper the knife dug into her, cutting her skin, and blood trickled down her throat.

“You should have thought about that. Now, she has to pay for your mistakes too.” I could hear his sinister smile as he spoke. He sounded almost amused.

“It’s a pity, really. She’s almost too pretty to die. Maybe I’ll take her. I can make a fortune off her.” He let out a laugh as if it was the funniest thing ever, making the other two chuckle along with him.

“Let us go!” I screamed, thrashing in his hold.

“She’s a feisty little one.” He tightened his hold on me, almost crushing me. “I will enjoy you before I snap that pretty little neck of yours.” He whispered in my ear, dragging his nose alongside my cheek.

I gagged.

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