Page 23 of Absolution
The shadow flickers again, and the man is a foot closer now.
He’s going to touch me, and there’s nothing I can do to stop him.
Another shadow stirs at the foot of the bed. Only my eyes move in my paralyzed body, and I watch in pure horror as the shadow coalesces into a small child. She can’t be more than five years old, but her haunted expression is terrifying enough to make her even more horrifying than the encroaching man. Tears stream from her aqua eyes, and she begins to crawl up the length of my legs, reaching out a beseeching hand for my help.
The man is coming for both of us, but I’m even more petrified of the little girl. If she touches my face with that tiny, trembling hand…
My eyes snap open, but the nightmare doesn’t disappear. The shadowy man still looms over the bed, and the sobbing child fills my vision as she crawls onto my chest, seeking comfort.
My vocal cords finally loosen, and a strangled, sharp cry tears from my throat.
“Abigail!”
The man and the child dissipate as though they’re made of smoke.
Strong hands grasp my shoulders, and I twist away from the restraining hold with a defiant, horrified shriek.
The night-darkened world swirls around me, and I fall. I hit the carpeted floor, and my head spins. I’m not sure what’s real anymore. I search the shadows frantically for the little girl, torn between an aching yearning to save her and stomach-turning dread that I’ll have to face her again.
Light sears my eyes, and I blink hard. I’m scared to close my eyes again. The man might get me if I let my focus waver for even a second.
My heart races like I’ve been sprinting for miles, and my hair sticks to my sweat-slicked brow and nape. I gasp for breath, and my lungs burn in protest when I force them to expand.
A man looms over me, solid and all too real.
I cover my head with my hands and curl into a tight, protective ball.
“It’s me. Abigail, you’re safe. I won’t hurt you.”
It takes several seconds for me to register the familiar, accented voice.
“Dane?” His name is a ragged whisper.
“I’m right here.” His promise is a touch shaky. “Look at me.”
Cautiously, I unlock my arms so that I can peek up at him. His green eyes are tight with worry, and his lush lips are set in a tight slash.
“Dane!” I fling myself at him, and his strong arms close around me.
He draws me close and holds me to his chest, cradling my shaking body. My fingernails bite into the back of his neck, but he doesn’t flinch in my desperate grip.
“I’ve got you,” he says. “It was just a nightmare. You’re safe.”
I don’t feel safe. My skin prickles with residual awareness of danger, and I barely resist the urge to claw away the maddening sensation. Instead, I cling to Dane more tightly and resolutely inhale his salt-kissed, spicy cedarwood scent.
“That’s it,” he encourages. “Breathe. Just keep breathing. Stay here with me.”
I can’t deny him anything. He’s my anchor to sanity, to reality.
I sink into him, memorizing the feel of his corded muscles bulging and flexing around me, as though he’s preparing to fight off my monsters. The fine hairs that dust his sculpted chest tickle my cheek, and I turn my face into him to meld our bodies even more closely.
He strokes my chilled body with the elegant, dexterous hands that I love so much, and slowly, he imbues me with his warmth. As I thaw beneath his tender touch, the lingering terror begins to dissipate, leaving me wrung out and limp in his arms.
He lifts me up and carefully sets me on the soft mattress, immediately climbing into bed with me so that he can shape his body around mine.
My brain finally accepts that I’m with my white knight, and I’m safe.
Nothing can hurt me as long as I’m under his protection.
