Page 18 of The Hellkeeper

The bewilderment on her face is hilarious.

"I did my research."

"You had no right."

"I answered your questions, didn’t I? It’s only fair you answer mine."

"I’m not from here." She relents.

I arch a brow. "Then where?"

She hesitates.

"Hell."

I turn the word over in my head. Hell. Hell. It clicks. That little village just outside the city. There are a shit-ton of rumors surrounding it. Lots of people theorize it’s a cult. The pieces fall into place. Her naivety. Her shyness. The way she clings to prayers like they’re armor.

She ran.

She left them behind; whatever fucked-up things they did to her, whatever lies they poured into her head. The thought of something—anything—terrifying her makes something vicious curl in my chest.

I growl, low and feral. "I am the only one you’re allowed to be afraid of, Amelia. Whatever monsters you think are out there, real or not, I will hunt them down. And I will end them."

I mean every word. When she seems to close off again, I put an end to our conversation.

"This was a productive talk, don’t you think?"

I flex my wrists, testing the ropes she so carefully tied. Cute. With one sharp pull, the fibers snap like thread.

She screams and bolts for the door. I catch her before she even gets close. My arms wrap around her waist, lifting her clear off the ground. She thrashes, kicks, nails clawing at my skin. I only tighten my hold, dragging her back.

Her body crashes onto the mattress, the sheets tangling around her as I tuck her in like a precious little doll. Her chest heaves, terror painting her delicate features.

"Shhh," I murmur, pressing my lips to her temple. "I told you before, angel; I won’t hurt you. Not unless you ask me to."

"Good night." I brush the strands away from her face, watching her pupils blow wide. "You know where to find me."

I rise, moving to my place beneath the bed, where I’ve been sleeping since I met her. Because I know she isn’t ready to have me next to her.

But she will be.

I close my eyes, listening to the frantic beat of her heart, to the sharp little breaths she takes as she forces herself to stay calm. Her foot slips out from the bed. She’s trying to escape. I wrap my fingers around her ankle before she even makes it an inch further. She yelps, but I press a lingering kiss to the inside of her foot.

"You will sleep in the bed I spent a fortune on for you tonight," I order. "If I find you anywhere else..." My grip tightens just a little. "You won’t like it."

She curls back into the sheets. Smart girl.

Chapter Eight

Amelia

The second I open my eyes, I curse myself. No. No, no, no—how could I fall asleep?! Idiot.

I swore I’d stay awake until morning. Swore I wouldn’t close my eyes, not even for a second, so that maniac wouldn’t touch me. Or hurt me.

That handsome maniac—Shut up, Amelia.

I throw myself off the bed, ignoring the way my knees nearly buckle as I run in the opposite direction. Away from him. My eyes lock on the dark space beneath the frame. No movement. Nothing. I take a step closer, my pulse hammering in my ears. Then another step. Another. Then I drop to my knees and peek under the bed.

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