Page 194 of Beyond the Blue Horizon
I cut across the land in front of it, fumbling over the snowbank in hopes it would get me to the porch faster.
The loud grumble of a motorcycle engine revved as it approached, blazing up the lane before the single headlight rounded the corner and came into view.
Tires squealed as the bike skidded to a stop.
A fool, I whirled to look over my shoulder.
River rose like a wraith from the metal.
A beast in the night.
Is that what they were?
How?
What was happening?
“Two down. I don’t think there are more, but we need confirmation. Secure the area. Cover me.” Theo ground out the instruction right before his focus flew to me.
Terror and confusion rebounded, and I forced myself forward. My legs felt like I had no control over them as I plodded through the snow.
I knew when Theo had started to move.
His presence swarming me from behind as he came straight up the road.
A violent echo that reverberated through my being.
“Piper,” he grated, a harsh desperation wound into the word.
The soles of his boots thudded against the pavement as he enclosed.
A shock of adrenaline blasted through me, and I pushed myself harder, trying to scramble through the snow that was deeper than I anticipated.
One of my legs sank into a hole. Buried to the knee. The shift in movement tossed me forward, causing me to fall.
On a gasp, I caught myself with my hands ramming into the freezing snow.
I gasped and choked as I crawled out of the deep snowdrift, desperate to climb back onto my feet.
Though I was bent.
Unable to fully stand as I basically crawled up the single porch step.
I finally managed to haul myself upright just as the crash of energy swamped me.
Right there.
Too much to bear.
“Piper,” Theo gritted as he reached for me.
A hopeless cry erupted from my throat when he looped an arm around my waist.
“No!” I shouted. I twisted out of his hold, whirled around, and began to slap my hands against his chest to deflect his attack. “No. Stay away from me.”
Big hands curled around my wrists, and I knew there was no chance of breaking free of the shackles.
A hazy glow from the sconce that hung next to the door was barely bright enough to illuminate his face.
