Page 81 of When the Woods Go Silent

The possibility opens like a door in a darkened room, spilling an irresistible spotlight directly onto what I want. But something tugs me back from that daydream. He’s left me twice now, and that sort of pattern makes me nervous. He might be willing to protect my body from dangers in the woods, but I have to be the one to protect my heart.

Even through the haze of need, I know I’ll get too attached if I invite Torrence into my bed now. Getting my heart broken by someone who never intended to stay is something I promised myself wouldn’t happen again.

Aching in all the wrong places, I force myself to pull back from Torrence, my fingers sliding under his chin and nudging his face up so I can look into his eyes. His pupils are so dilated I can barely see the amber fire, and my core clenches at the wild need I see there.

I might be the one on top, but I’m merely a bird perched on an alligator’s snout. One snap of those jaws, and there will be nothing left of me.

The image jerks me farther out of my little lust bubble, and I work to clear my head. I don’t need to make things so easy forhim if I’m trying to determine how much he wants me, beyond the physical moments.

“What are you drawn to, besides darkness? In me,” I add, hoping it doesn’t sound like asking for compliments. I only want reassurance that there’s something more than lust between us.

Torrence sighs deeply, his breath hot against my skin. “You... remind me of someone.”

He’s silent for such a long moment that I think he isn’t going to continue. I wait anyway, his body still as stone beneath me. Whatever it is, the association is bittersweet.

“My younger sister. Rinna,” he mumbles finally, his hands tensing around my waist as he fixes his eyes somewhere beyond me. “She was... drawn to darkness, too.”

I catch the past tense and move to lean back, wanting to see his expression. But Torrence locks his arms around my back, forcing me tight against his chest again. Something like a snarl rips from his lips, and before I can try and shove him away, he buries his face back in my neck. Pleasure spools through me, until an icy chill spikes up my spine, sharp pinpoints of cold paralyzing me everywhere his fingers press into my skin.

“I’m sorry... about Rinna.” I choke out the words, but he doesn’t seem to hear them.

His arms shake as he squeezes me tightly enough to make breathing hard. I gasp a shallow breath and shiver against him. My skin seems to freeze on contact, and then I yelp as the sensitive skin of my throat is pinched hard.

Taut and torn under his teeth.

My body shrills with alarm as I squirm to fight my way out of his icy grip. He’s so much stronger than me, and panic edges darkly at the corners of my mind.

“Torrence,” I beg, the adrenaline of shock and pain helping me shove harder. “Fucking let go of me,” I growl, kicking at his shins until his hold breaks, and he lets me duck under his armsand stumble off his lap. I skitter to the other side of the office, putting the broad table between us, even though it takes me farther from the door. My fingers shake as I wipe them across my neck and realize he really did break skin.

He bit me hard enough to bleed.

Rose’s story about Arlo floods into my mind, and I struggle to understand. Torrence’s eyes are nearly black, all the gold fire gone as he locks on the bright smear on my fingertips, standing so quickly his chair topples over.

“I can’t do this,” he snarls, slamming his fist into the old oak table before turning toward the door. Anger flares in me as he moves to leave, though. I want some freaking answers.

“What the hell, Tor? That hurt,” I cry, darting around the table to grab him. Flight has turned into fight, and I want something better than a cop-out. Part of me is scared, but I’m too pissed to listen to it.

“I can’t fucking do this, Ruby. I don’t want to hurt you, but I will. I can’t keep you safe.” Torrence shoves away the hand I reach toward him, but he isn’t quick enough, and I grip his hand between mine, fingernails digging into skin like I want to hurt him back.

“Yeah, not before you tell me what that was all about. I deserve-”

He yanks his hand away and bursts through the door, heavy footsteps telling me he’s practically running out of the bookshop.

And I’m left staring down at my hands, where a single, dagger-shaped icicle rests right where his fingers were a moment ago, melting slowly against the heat of my skin. The smear of my blood swirls under it, pooling liquid pink in my palm as I try to process what’s just happened.

What was he doing with this piece of ice, sharp enough to be a weapon? Is that what I felt digging into my spine?

And where the hell did he get it? It’s impossible to think he brought it with him, stashed in a back pocket. I don’t remember seeing him get ice from anywhere last night, either, but it was real enough when he was teasing my skin.

And why the hell would he bite my neck?

Something wriggles in the corner of my brain, the thrill of a puzzle threatening to overpower my survival instincts. No, I shouldn’t go after a man who bit me. Yes, Rose would lock me up, and maybe for good reason.

But an idea is taking shape in my crazy brain, built from equal parts fear and excitement. I’m afraid of what I might find if I chase after Torrence, but I also know what I saw, years ago in these very woods. Whenever impossible things can’t be explained away by logic or reason, I believe there’s only one way left to turn.

Toward the magic.

And I’ll be damned if I miss my chance at finding it this time.

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