Page 72 of Lich's Mate

Out! I need to get out!

I leap from the carriage and start sprinting back toward the mansion for help.

“Ka—”

I trip over a filthy clawed foot deliberately blocking my way as I round the carriage. I fall to the ground with a heavy thud, my arms scraping on the cobblestone.

I manage to prevent my face from intimately befriending the ground with my hands, but the wind’s been knocked out of my chest.

The foot that brought me down presses down on my head and I turn to try and see who’s attacking me.

Sun rays shine directly into my eyes, preventing me from identifying my attacker. When he speaks, though, I can hear he’s a xaphan.

“Hey, human bitch. Why don’t you play nice and come with me?” The xaphan’s voice makes my skin crawl and I try to push myself up from the ground.

Oh, great. These fuckers again.

I silently curse my luck.

He giggles, his foot pressing down harder. His talons dig into my back and I have to bite back the scream threatening to tear out of my mouth.

I refuse to give you the satisfaction of making me scream, fucker.

A big hand pulls me to my knees, its grip so hard I’m sure I’ll be bruised for days.

His satisfied grin makes my stomach turn, and I swallow hard to hold back my nausea.

“You thought you were untouchable didn’t you?” He bends over and grabs me by my chin to force me into eye contact. “Thought we couldn’t get near you just because you’re fucking a demon, huh, bitch?”

I grimace and yank my arm out of his grip. “Fuck you.”

“Not even if I was paid.” The creature spits on the ground before grabbing me by my neck and forcing me to my feet. “I have to ‘collect’ your ass and keep you alive.” His eyes travel over my body as he speaks. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t have my fun with you first.”

He throws me to the ground and I’m barely able to prevent my head from connecting and possibly cracking my skull.

He growls and kicks me in the side. “Get up. I like to beat humans when they’re on their feet.”

I refuse, and instead start to crawl away.

I just need to find some kind of weapon. A rock. Anything to fight back with.

My foot is grabbed and I’m pulled back with impressive speed and force. Small rocks cut into my skin and I yelp in pain.

“Where do you think you’re going? Haven’t you learned your lesson yet?” He kicks me again, this time in the ribs. “You humans are far too weak to escape us!”

I frantically look around, trying to find an escape or a weapon. Either would help me greatly.

He walks over to me and stops only when he’s basically on top of me, his feet at my thighs. I glare up at him, which makes him laugh.

“You think you’re so tough, but you’re just another stupid human. A human that’s going to die very soon!” He cackles and reaches out to grab me again.

Thinking fast, I grab him instead, using both hands to pull him down by his arm, his shoulders nearly on top of my head. I keep pulling and then kick him in the stomach and by some miracle manage to throw him over my shoulder.

I hear him hit the ground behind me with great satisfaction but don’t stick around to see if he’s hurt.

Instead, I make a run for it, once again trying to reach the mansion doors.

Kavian must have heard the attack by now. He’s probably on his way, I just need to get to him.

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