Page 83 of Mistletoe

“Surrender the monster, or another piece of your property will be touched,” the major said.

Hal

Hal did not go far. He heard the demands, and if even one soldier had bothered to search the property, they would have found him crouched behind a stone wall. Instead, the major chose to terrorize the De Laceys.

His family.

His mate.

He had to stop this. The major would burn the entire farm down if he did not get his way.

Hal skirted the perimeter, hiding behind the workshop and the woodshed. When he was close enough, he rushed the soldier holding Emma.

He hit an invisible barrier, crossed some hidden threshold, and felt as if he were inside a ringing bell. The sound of blood pounding in his ears drowned out everything else. His eyes were drawn to a tall man with scars as if claws had been raked over his face.

Somehow, Hal knew they were the same: both monsters.

Emma shouted, snapping the beast’s hold over Hal.

Her eyes were wide. While she shouted, it was from anger, not fear or panic. She tossed her head back, slamming the back of her head into the man’s nose.

Hal tore the soldier away. He twisted the man’s arm until he heard a pop. Shoulders dislocated so easily.

“Hal!” Emma shouted.

A pair of soldiers had her now, one with his arms wrapped around her to pin her in place and the other with their pistol pointed directly at her head.

The bunkhouse burned uncontrollably, casting an orange glow and dramatic shadows.

“Surrender,” the major said, “or the woman will suffer.” Fire flickered over his face, reflecting in his eyes.

Hal wanted to fight, but there were a half-dozen rifles pointed at him and the De Lacey family. There was no escape. He couldn’t outrun bullets. There was one thing he could still do to protect Emma, which was no choice at all.

Hal held up his hands in surrender.

“No!” Emma broke free from the soldiers and dashed to Hal, throwing herself between him and the rifles. “You can’t have him. He’smine!”

“Stand aside, woman,” a soldier ordered.

The rifles did not waver; neither did Emma.

“If you think I’m letting you take this man away from me, you’d better think again,” Emma said.

The major stomped forward; his cool demeanor had vanished. He pointed a finger at Emma. “You test my patience. This orc,” his finger swung toward Hal, “cost me a vampire. Made me a laughingstock! I’m owed a new monster for my collection.”

“You were embarrassed, so now you burn down my house?” She had to shout to be heard over the roar of the fire.

Embers floated through the air. Smoke hung in a haze close to the ground. The fire scorched his back, promising to blister if he took so much as a step in that direction.

“So now I will arrest the criminal that stole military property.”

“People aren’t property.”

“That vampire was notpeople.”

Emma sucked in a breath. Whatever she was about to say, it would only escalate the situation.

“Emma,” Hal cautioned. “Do not provoke him. You cannot win this fight.”

---