Page 201 of Barbi and the Villain

By my count, there are about ten or twelve.

But what would they be looking for here?

I continue to watch them with trepidation, hoping they’ll change their direction at the last moment. But as the seconds trickle by, it’s clear they’re coming directly for the lighthouse.

Did I make a mistake? Did I accidentally reveal my energy signature while I was practicing?

My body tenses as I mentally go over everything I did today. I trained hard, it’s true. But not harder than in the past.

It doesn’t make sense.

The strange men continue to get closer.

Without Nykander here, I don’t know how I’m going to manage, so the only recourse I have is to call him back. But in a world where there are no mobile phones, there is only one way I can reach him.

I rush down the stairs to the kitchen in search of a knife. Pressing the tip of the blade on the surface of my forearm, I trace the word help. I wince at the pain, grinding my teeth to push through it. The word takes shape on my skin, but in mere seconds, my skin starts healing and it’s gone.

Signal for help sent, I get back to monitoring the situation. Moving a chair to the kitchen window, I climb on it and watch what’s happening outside while I wait with bated breath for Nykander to return.

“Please hurry,” I whisper, even though I know he cannot hear me.

My eyes widen, though, as I realize that the people outside could hear me. I don’t know what their abilities are. If they are strong individually, then in a group of almost a dozen people they will be no match for me.

Nyk had mentioned there are people in Tartareia without abilities, but they are unlikely to be dressed in military uniforms or move in a rehearsed formation as those people are.

My pulse quickens as the minutes go by and Nykander doesn’t come.

Another glance outside reveals the men almost at the entrance of the lighthouse.

Damn it!

I cannot allow them to come inside. I don’t know their intentions and I’m not about to let them hurt the dogs. The only way to keep them safe is to get the men away from here.

I squeeze my eyes shut.

I am not ready for this. Good Lord, I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.

Before, I’d had Nykander by my side and that had given me confidence. I could channel my energy because he was there, having my back.

But now?

Where are you, Nyk? Why are you not here?

Yet waiting more time for him means potentially placing the dogs in danger, and I can’t afford that.

I take a few steadying breaths, calming my racing heart and clearing my mind.

I can do this. To protect my babies, I can do it.

After giving myself a much-needed pep talk, I straighten my back and head downstairs.

I can hear them.

They’re right outside, talking amongst themselves—laughing.

They’re making bawdy jokes about their plans tonight at a brothel and how many hours with a prostitute this job will buy them.

Gross.

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