Page 164 of Hunting Pretty

But Dr. Vale was stronger than he looked. I’d underestimated him.

I tried not to breathe.

But I could only hold my breath for so long.

I was forced to suck in the fumes from the rag, the familiar sharp and slightly sweet scent burning my lungs.

The office tilted on its axis. My head hummed and a low vibration ran across my skin, my vision closing as my knees buckled.

“I’m sorry, Ava,” he said, his hand pressing even firmer over my lower face. “You gave me no choice.”

I could do nothing as my vision closed in on Dr. Vale’s determined narrowed eyes, as I fell back into a deep dark hole. Is this the last thing Liath saw, too?

Before everything went black, a sadness came over me. I wouldn’t get to see Scáth one last time.

I should have just left with him. I should have run away with him somewhere we could be safe.

But it was too late now.

THE SHADOW

Ava, the stubborn woman, had gone to see Dr. Vale anyway. And now she wasn’t answering and I could feel it in my bones.

Ava was in trouble.

Ava’s phone echoed through the Bluetooth speaker of my car as I drove like a madman.

Pick up, Ava.

I took a corner too hard and a car beeped at me as I almost swerved into their lane. Sorry, but the love of my fucking life is in trouble.

Once again, Ava’s sweet voice came on over the voicemail.‘Hey, it’s Ava. Can’t come to the phone right now…’

Fuck! I hung up and focused on the road. It wouldn’t help Ava if I got into an accident or was pulled over by a cop.

I skidded the car into the driveway, not even bothering to lock the doors as I raced to the side entrance, the entrance that led directly to Dr. Vale’s home office where he saw patients.

I kicked in the door without thinking twice.

The wooden frame splintered and the door banged against the drywall.

I raced inside.

But the therapist’s chair was empty.

So was the patient’s chair.

Ava wasn’t here? Where the fuck was she?

Had he taken her somewhere? Was I too late?

“Ava,” I screamed out as I ran through the dark house, my flashlight leading the way.

If I had taken a second before I stormed in, I’d have noticed that none of the lights were on.

Dr. Vale had a wife and two little girls, but it didn’t seem like they were home either.

Thank God. I had no intention of frightening innocent women, and certainly not children.

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