Page 91 of Power
“Well, thatisthe idea if we get what we really want,” March Hare says, walking backward with me, further away from the men.
“What is it you really want?” Archer snaps.
“Gryphon to come with us willingly. You see, Laura and this one have elite blood, but they aren’t who we want.”
“I’ll go,” Dad says immediately.
“No!” I shout, defending him for some reason.
“Bailey, don’t be ridiculous,” he snaps.
Still shuddering with revulsion as Hare’s hot breath tickles the hair near my ear, I nearly weep with relief when I see Finn. He will get me out of this.
I know the other men are being cautious because of the knife at my throat, but Finn will have a plan.
Won’t he?
His fluid movement forward as he takes in the scene before him, his face cold and emotionless, makes my heart skip a beat.
“Hare,” he says, and everyone stops and pays attention. His very presence commands it. “You really want to let her go.”
“Actually, no, I don’t. Our King wants Gryphon. He will swap his life for hers and Laura’s.”
Finn sniffs and looks to the side, letting out an almost irritated sigh. Swishing his coat up, he reaches behind and pulls something out.
My blood runs colder when I see the gun. I have to wonder if it’s the one Gryphon sent me.
He levels it at us. I don’t move a muscle.
“You’re way out of your league, Hare; now be a good boy and let the Queen go.”
Licking my lips, I focus on him steadily. He tilts his head to the side ever so slightly.
“You fucking psychopath!” my dad yells, running his hand through his hair.
Finn glances at him before returning his gaze to us. “He’s talking to me, by the way, not you. You see, you think you are like me, but you are just an idiot with a thirst for blood and violence. I’m a master. I have a delicacy and pride in my craft that separates us. You wish you were me, but you aren’t.”
He tilts his head again; his eyes focused on Hare.
“You shoot me, she dies,” Hare growls, knowing he is outnumbered. He must’ve thought he’d get me on my own to abscond with me. He’s probably been watching me this whole time, waiting for an opportunity, and I gave it to him by running out here alone.
Fucking hell, Bails. You’re an idiot.
My gaze meets Finn’s, and I implore him to get me out of this mess of my own making. He tilts his head again, a sinister smile passing over his lips. “You hurt her, I will make your death as painful as possible, and you’ve heard the rumors. I can make you scream for weeks.”
His jaw clenches, and he takes a step forward, focusing his furious gaze on me, his eyes hard, his head twitching.
Suddenly, I get it.
I’m in the fucking way. He can’t take the shot without blowing my face off. Hare isn’t that tall, but he is using me as a shield.
I blink a few times, trying to convey to him that I know what he wants me to do. He shifts his gaze back to Hare, another thinly veiled insult on his lips.
Exhaling slowly, knowing Finn is aware of my every move, trusting him with my life, I duck to the side he was indicating with his head.
Bang!
The gunshot rings out right next to my ear, making me go dizzy as blood hits my cheek. Slamming my hands to my head as my ears ring incessantly, a high-pitched whine that sends my senses into overload.
