Page 98 of When the Woods Go Silent

My stomach churns as Torrence half shoves and half kicks Arlo back into the bathroom where the other guy is cowering on the tile in the corner, obviously terrified. Torrence yells something else in that language I don’t know before slamming the door shut on the whole insane scene. I think if he could lock the room from the outside, he would.

When Torrence turns back to me, I forget all about Master games, and the brief taste of power turns sour in my mouth as I take in his fury. I’ve seen men get angry and physical before,but never ferocity like this. I take a slow, careful step back as my twisted mind finally registers danger from him.

His eyes spark like golden fire, and his beautiful face twists with rage, his knuckles shining with dark blood. He’s fucking terrifying, and my body skitters back from him, raw adrenaline giving me the push I need to run away as fast as I can.

“Ruby-” he yells, but I’m already gone, clattering through the kitchen and out the back door. That isn’t the Torrence I know.

I should have just gone with Rose. I shouldn’t have come here. I really shouldn’t have watched Arlo do anything, much lessthat. What the hell was I thinking?

“Ruby!” His voice echoes off the trees, and I risk a glance over my shoulder. He’s chasing me. He’s too fast. “Wait a fucking second!Please.”

My feet stumble against each other, and it’s all he needs to catch me, large hands grasping both my shoulders as he halts my run fast enough that my teeth clack together. I swallow a scream as he pivots me to face him, my eyes wide and locked on the inferno in his.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to see him,” I blurt, and Torrence growls something under his breath.

“Arlo is a fucking idiot, and I’ll deal with him later,” he says, his hands suddenly softening around my body. He draws me to his chest, which is what makes me realize I’m shaking.

“I don’t blame you for that. I want to make sure you’re okay.”

They’re the right words, but I’m still processing what Arlo said to Torrence. Something about teaching them to be slaves. Does Arlo think Torrence should bemymaster? I feel sick to my stomach, and I don’t know whether to push Torrence away or let him comfort me.

I liked feeling protected, but I’m nobody’s pet. Nobody’s freaking slave. My phone pings again, and I take a steadyingbreath as I glance down at it, thankful for the distraction. It’s Rose, again. Two texts now.

Ruby, what the hell??

Please come back. I’m sorry.

I fire off one of my own:Then tell me what that paper said

THE PHONE STAYS SILENT. Rose doesn’t reply, doesn’t offer to tell me anything, and my heart hardens a little more.

“What’s wrong?” Torrence asks, his thumb sliding under my chin and gently tilting my face up to his. He still looks flustered and angry, but there’s something else in his eyes now. Concern. He’s actually worried about me, and that changes everything.

My disgust with Arlo and my fear over their fighting dissolve, and I bury my face in the soft fabric covering his strong chest. My body melts into his in relief as his arms fold around me like a shield, not a trap.

I didn’t come here to talk about Torrence and me, anyway. I came to ask about magic. I breathe in his scent deeply, memorizing the snow and wood smoke and iron of it as I work to find the right words.

Then they all just tumble out as I wrap my arms around him, using him like an anchor to keep me from drifting away. “It’s Rose. She was with some guy today, and he asked about magic. And fae. He’s looking for a changeling. And I know she knows something, but she won’t tell me, Tor! She always tells me everything, and now she won’t tell me if magic is real.” I gulp back a sob on the final words, ducking my head even farther down on Torrence’s chest.

I feel ridiculous. He’s going to think I’m crazy.

Until...

“It is,” Torrence murmurs. I lift my face, and he wipes my tears, his calloused palms rough on my skin. His beautiful amber fire eyes spark down at me, a beacon of hope in such an ugly day.

“Magic is real, Ruby. You’re right. You’ve always been right. And I’ve been trying like hell to keep you out of it, because you’re not safe here, little kitten.”

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