Page 12 of The Goblin's Mine

“Keep talking! I’m following your voice!” I shout. As he does, I come to a bend in the tunnel. When I round it, I emerge in an open cavern. There’s a ledge along this side that’s plenty wide enough to walk on, but the other side is a precarious drop into the darkness.

But that’s not all I find.

When I step out of the tunnel, I crash chest-to-chest with Brock, of all people. I grab him to catch my balance, then take a step back and rub my eyes, sure this must be an illusion. Why would he be in these caves?

“Brock? What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you!” His brow furrows with concern. “Nobody knew where you were, so I did some searching. I found the ATV parked at the mouth of the cave, so I figured you had to be in here somewhere. I’ve been searching for hours.”

He seems concerned, and it’s weird as hell. We haven’t talked since the night he gave me a black eye. Sure, he’s been texting, but I thought ignoring him sent the message that I never wanted to see or hear from him again.

So this is strange.

“But why? We broke up, and it’s not like I was lost. What in the world compelled you to come looking for me?”

He gives me a lopsided grin. “Come on, Nat. We may not be together anymore, but I still care about you. I don’t want you to disappear in some nasty cave. I thought you might need help.”

I try to ignore the use of the nickname I hate—one he’s always used, despite my protests—and focus on the positive. He was worried. He cares. He came looking for me. That’s…nice, I guess? Still, I know how his mood can change on a dime, and being alone in this cave with him is not exactly my idea of a fun or safe time. If something sets him off, I have no idea how he’ll react.

“Wow. I can’t believe you found me. These tunnels are never-ending. The odds of us both ending up here are super low,” I say.

Brock shoots me a wink. “I guess it must be fate.”

Ugh.

Brock can be charming when he wants to be, but I’ll never forget that he hit me once, just for giving him a teasing nickname. He’s unpredictable and self-centered. There’s a feeling growing within me, and it’s more than distaste. Like, Ireallydon’t want him here. I feel less safe now than I did with the hobgoblins.

I take a step back and inhale slowly. I need to handle Brock with care. “The thing is, I’m not really lost. I just wanted to spend a few days caving. I appreciate the concern, but it wasn’t necessary. I’m perfectly fine.” Bloody arm and leg notwithstanding.

He frowns. “Well, no one knew that. You didn’t even leave a note.”

That’s true, but even if I had, it wouldn’t have been for him. It would have been for family. Besides, how does he know I didn’t leave a note? Did he go in my house?

“Brock, I’m an adult. I don’t have to tell people when I’ll be away for a few days.”

He rolls his eyes. “Whatever. It’s getting late. Come on.” He grabs my arm and tugs me back toward the way he came.

“Brock, let me go.” I pull my arm, but he doesn’t let go. “I’m not ready to leave just yet.” Before I saw him, I was fully set on getting out of these caves and relaxing at home. But now that he’s here, I’m feeling very different. And I have no interest in going with him.

“Nat, it’s gonna be dark by the time we get out of here. You’ve had your fun, and there’s nothing to see here but dark and maybe some gross-ass bats. Let’s go.” He tugs on me again and I yank my arm out of his hold.

This guy. He thinks he can just order me around? And insult bats, which are cute and a vital part of the ecosystem. Yuck. “No. I’m not going with you.”

He heaves a put-upon sigh. “Jesus, you’re such an unappreciative bitch. I came all this way to help you, only for you to act like this.” He crosses his arms over his broad chest and stares at me likeI'mthe problem.

I glare at him. “Oh, fuck off. I never asked for your help. In fact, I told you I never wanted to see you again!” I turn to go back the way I came—there has to be another tunnel I can take.

He lunges forward and grabs me again, spinning me, and I shout. Instead of releasing me, he wrenches my arm to keep me in his grasp, making something in my shoulder scream in protest. I don’t know if it’s intentional or not, but pain shoots through my shoulder blade and down my arm.

“Ow, Brock, you’re hurting me!”

“Only because you’re being unreasonable! Stop fighting me and come on.”

My nostrils flare as I inhale, ready to really let him have it. But before I can say anything, a deep, menacing voice echoes through the cavern.

“Take your hands off of her.”

KILLIAN

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