Page 223 of Crucible

“Save me…what the devil are you talking about? Save me from what?”

“Youknowwho.” To the sheriff’s credit, he doesn’t look away or balk. He doesn’t pretend he hasn’t already suspected that his precious “boys” are fucking monsters. I bet it would horrify him to know that they’remymonsters now. It would baffle him at least. “Do as I say, sheriff. Forget you saw me.”

“And I told you I can’t do that. Look…whatever they did—”

“Whatever they did? Whatever they did!” That incredulous look is back on his face now at the fury in my tone. “Trust me,you old fool. You can’t handle knowing what they did to me.” The sheriff’s weathered cheeks turn stark red, proving me right. “Now go your way, and I’ll go mine.”

I’m already turning away to leave when he says, “You’re right. I failed you.”

“That’s not what I—”

He holds up a hand, and I fall quiet. “Let this old fool make it up to you now. Please.”

I grumble and look away. “That was mean. I shouldn’t have called you a fool.”

“That’s quite all right.”

“I’m still not going with you.”

“Aurelia—”

“It’s my choice.”

“Actually, it’s not. You just implied that you were held against your will and…mishandled. I am a man of the law, and I must uphold it. Whether you come with me or not, Thorin, Khalil, and Ezekiel will answer for what they’ve done.”

I file away that he said Zeke and not Seth and cross my arms. “And they’ve been waiting for the day to come when they have to disappear again. If it’s justice you’re looking for, you’re not going to get it. You’ll be too late, and I’ll be the one to pay the price. No thanks.” The sheriff isn’t any less deterred, so I add, “And then there’s the other obstacle.”

“What?”

“Me.”

“I don’t understand.”

“However it may have happened, however many times they’ve tempted me since to smother them in their sleep, they’re mine now, and you just threatened them.” Quicker than I’ve ever moved and smoother than I’ve ever managed, I lift my bow, draw an arrow, and slide it in place. The sheriff isn’t expecting it,so he doesn’t think to lift his rifle before I aim. “Now turn around and walk away.”

His visage becomes enraged while disapproval marks his tone. “Young lady, I am an officer of the law.”

“Does it look like I give a shit, old man? Last warning.”

The sheriff makes a humming noise, studies my bow and form, and sighs heavily when he realizes I’ve been trained well. By the best, in fact. By Thorin Thayer himself. “Very well then. I’ll be seeing you again, Ms. George.”

I can hardly believe it when the sheriff leaves.

Once I’m sure he’s gone and I’m not being followed, I circle back to the creek and find a tree downwind where I climb until I have a bird’s eye view of the den. For hours I sit and wait.

I’ll admit I grow antsy watching the sun moves across the sky. My mountain men will have long ago realized I’d snuck out and are no doubt hunting for me.

If I had aradio, I could tell them I’m okay, but noooooo.

Serves ’em right. Let them squirm, I say.

However, if they run into the death squad before they find me, my guys will probably shoot first and ask questions later.

And then there’s the sheriff.

What if he goes straight to Khalil, Thorin, and Seth? They won’t go quietly, and the sheriff is naive enough to think he can talk them into turning themselves in. He hasn’t said as much, but it’s obvious he’s developed a fatherly affection for them. Things will inevitably get ugly if I’m not there to stand between my guys and the well-meaning sheriff.

Okay, where is this bitch?

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