Chapter 36

I don’t know what to do. I’m petrified, and if Vanka was no match for this thing, then I’m not either. I don’t know how to fight; I’ve never had to. I’m not a warrior or even aggressive. I’m nothing, a reject from a farmer’s family who is worth nothing to no one. I bite on my lip, fear paralyzing me when suddenly, the entire bed is ripped from above me, the gust of the action throwing my hair around my face, and he sends it crashing into the other wall effortlessly, displaying strength much like ours. I gasp and react with a shuddering splaying of arms over my head defensively as it flies and lands over on top of mine dramatically. The crashing, splintering noise of a wooden bed crumbling and shattering into chaos. I’m left exposed, fully accessible prey huddled in the smallest of corners. He comes at me with a flash of speed that I see coming as if in slow motion, and I gasp in horror, choking up and immobile for a second. Move, Alora … move! Some strong inner voice hits me as I chant