Page 26 of An Avalanche Hero Christmas

Lance continued walking, oblivious to the fact that she’d stopped moving. “Once we get clear of these woods, I’m sure we can—”

“No,” she said. “I mean, how much longer until we get to your cabin?”

This time, he froze, glancing over his shoulder at her. “A week. Maybe two.”

His answer wasn’t particularly reassuring, but Mallory wasn’t complaining. It was only a matter of time until this was over. Shewould be safe and warmer, much warmer, inside his cabin, not having to worry about anyone creeping up on her in the middle of the night. Everything would be okay.

And then what?she couldn’t help asking herself. Hadn’t Lance already told her she would only be staying temporarily?What’s going to happen once he kicks you out?

Boris would find her. The Fae Hunter was relentless. When Mallory thought about it now, her death warrant had already been signed. All Lance was doing was buying her some time. With her luck, she’d spend the rest of her life running from Boris unless something else killed her first.

Great positive thinking, Mallory, she told herself; you’dbe so much fun at parties.

Speaking of which…by now, Thanksgiving must have already passed. Back in Vegas, at the Living Grace Hospital, the other nurses would have begun hanging Christmas decorations. They always did start decorating pretty early, right after Thanksgiving. Mallory had always avoided the little parties the other nurses held. While they cheered and shared brownies, she’d be attending to patients in the wards.

She and Lance continued traveling, Mallory’s mind still racing with thoughts. When he stopped suddenly, causing her to almost bump into him, she’d lost track of how much time had already passed.

“We will rest here,” Lance said.

Mallory glanced around. They had left the woods now, surrounded only by large, snowy hills. The moonlight cast giant shadows across the white surface, making it difficult to see much in the valleys. Perfect for hiding until the sun came up, she couldn’t help thinking.

Minutes later, they both sat in a gorge, hidden in shadow and ate in silence.

“We move at first light,” Lance said after a while.

She nodded, although, in the darkness that covered them, she doubted he could see her clearly.

“You need to get some rest,” he added. “I’ll keep watch for now; make sure no one sneaks up on us.”

Byno one, he meant Boris. Mallory suppressed a sigh, leaning against the rocky surface behind her. Lance was in just as much danger as she was. Ever since he fought the Fae Hunter, he’d become a target, too.

“Can I ask you something?” she asked suddenly.

She heard the sound of Lance chewing. There was no response for a moment. Then: “Okay.”

She could practically see the gears turning in his head as he wondered what she was about to bring up. Mallory had lots of questions for him, but for now, she decided to ask the one that was at the forefront of her mind.

“When Boris found us,” she said, “he asked you to step aside. He told you that he’d let you live if you moved out of his way and let him kill me. Do you think he was telling the truth?”

The chewing slowed, then faded into silence. “I don’t believe Boris has any need for lies.”

“So why didn’t you do what he asked? You could’ve saved yourself a lot of trouble. You’d have him off your back.”

“And you would be dead.” In the darkness, she heard a crunch as he shifted in the snow. “Would you have preferred that?”

Mallory swallowed at the thought of Boris’s blade sinking into her chest. “No, I’m just saying—”

“I did what I thought was right at that moment,” he told her. “I couldn’t afford to let him kill you. That’s why I fought back.”

“But he’s out for your blood now.”

Lance said nothing for a moment, and Mallory imagined he’d shrugged.

“You put your life on the line for me,” she said, “More than once, even.”

“You were in danger.”

Mallory nodded again. “Thank you.”

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