“Dem, it makes the most sense.” Stephan stabbed himself in the chest with his finger. “I’m going after the beast.”
“Then go.” Dem’s voice was calm, too calm.
Stephan paused only a moment, then spun around and rushed after King Henry, taking the torch with him. The forest fell silent and dark. Bea’s arms tightened around Colin, her breath harsh in his ear. Demyan didn’t move, merely stood there, a shadow among many in the dawn. Finally, the man turned … toward them.
Green eyes glowed eerily in the dark. Colin’s gaze riveted on those eyes. Anger roared through his body. His heart pounded so hard he was sure the man could hear the beat. He knew those eyes. He knew that voice. He knew that man.
Bea’s arms quivered around him. “Can we move now, please?” she whispered.
Chapter 13
In moments, the sun would spread its glowing rays through the trees, bringing the jungle to life. In moments, the light would hit Colin and Bea. In moments, they’d be killed.
Slowly, the man named Demyan turned. Eerie green eyes glowed in the dawn. Bea sucked in a breath, shock holding her immobile. But no, those couldn’t be his eyes. It was a trick, a trick of dawn. The man took a step off the trail, a step toward them. Bea shrank back, attempting to hide farther in the foliage.
Don’t move. No matter what. Colin’s voice repeated over and over through her head.
“Bea,” he said in a low, calm voice.
But she couldn’t take her gaze away from Demyan. “Yes?”
“The pistol, in my waistband. Take it out.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She knew, deep down, she knew what he wanted her to do. She finally looked at him. “Colin—”
“Do it.” His voice was hard, but his gaze still tracked Demyan.
Bea swallowed her retort and slipped her hand under his shirt to his warm body. Her fingers trailed over the muscles on his stomach and around to this side, until she felt thepistol. She paused only a moment and then wrapped her fingers around the cool weapon.
Her hand trembled as she pulled the pistol free. Could she do it? Could she shoot a man if she had to? Ella had, that first night in Colin’s home. But she wasn’t Ella. Her cousin’s wife was brave, fearless. Bea was a weak Englishwoman, just as Colin believed.
Demyan’s lips lifted into a small, taunting smile, just barely visible in the dim light of dawn. “I know you’re here.”
Bea’s heart practically leapt from her chest. How? How did he know they were here? She’d been quiet, so very quiet!
“Kill him, Bea,” Colin demanded.
Although his tone was soft, a shiver of shock raced over her skin. “What?” He couldn’t be serious.
“Pull. The. Trigger.”
Apparently, he was serious. “I—I—I can’t. He’s done nothing wrong.” Her hands were shaking so badly, she doubted she could do much of anything, let alone be a sure shot.
Colin snatched the gun from her hands, pointed, and pulled the trigger.
The blast echoed through the forest, ringing in her ears. It happened so quickly Bea didn’t have time to gasp. A flock of bright yellow birds burst from the trees and disappeared into the pink sky. Demyan staggered back, then finally collapsed to the ground.
Bea’s stomach clenched. Terror mixed with shock. “Colin,” she cried out, latching on to his arm. “Are you insane? You just killed him. Killed him! And he’d done nothing but threaten us. He wasn’t even holding a weapon, for God’s sake!” They’d throw Colin in prison and Ella would blame her!
Colin pushed himself upright, his arms quivering like a newborn colt. “Go.”
Bea stiffened beside him. “What?”
His face was furious, his jaw clenched, his eyes gleaming with something odd that Bea didn’t recognize. “Run, go.”
She shook her head, frantic tears stinging. She didn’t understand anything at all, but she knew she couldn’t leave Colin. “No. I won’t leave you.”
He closed his eyes for the briefest of moments, but just as quickly, he was looking at her again and that odd gleam was still there. “You have to.”
“Colin, I …”
A rustle of leaves broke through the forest. Demyan stood like a tree sprouting from the earth. He paused for just a moment, shook his head, then stumbled toward them. Horrified, Bea could merely stare wide-eyed. He’d been shot … he should be dead… yet he was moving forward, not a speck of blood on his body.
“Oh, dear God, he still lives,” she whispered.
“Go, Bea, damn you, go!” Colin lifted his arm and pulled the trigger again. The blast exploded. Bea pressed her palms to her ringing ears, cringing. The man stumbled back, then fell to the ground. Colin must have missed the first time, but this time … he’d killed the man.
Tears of frustration trailed down her cheeks, stinging the scratch that had been left by the branch. But the pain was barely noticeable over the fear pumping through her veins. “Colin, please stop! You must stop!”
From the corner of her eye, she noticed something move. Bea stilled. Swallowing hard, she slowly turned her attention to Demyan. The man was standing again. Standing, as if he’d never fallen. Never been shot.
Was she dreaming? Hallucinating?
“I … I don’t understand.”
With his free hand, Colin latched on to Bea’s wrist, his grip so tight it stung. “You don’t understand what you’re dealing with, Bea. Trust me, for God’s sake, trust me. I can hold him off, at least long enough for you to escape.”
He was serious, completely and utterly serious. Yet underneath that hard gaze was something more, something that sent her pulse racing. Fear? Colin was afraid?
“Escape? No.” She shook her head, frantic he’d leave her alone. Colin was the only familiar, normal thing at the moment. “No, I can’t. I can’t leave you. You’re coming with me.” She slipped her arms around Colin’s chest and pulled back. He managed to tuck his feet underneath him and struggled upright.
The river. She needed to get to the river. The surge of hope gave her strength. She shuffled toward the right, remembering the direction Raj had pointed. Before she made any headway, Colin burst forward so quickly, she didn’t have time to stop him. Stunned, she merely watched as the man made his way toward Demyan. Weak, he didn’t get far. Only steps ahead, he collapsed, his knees hitting the ground with a thud.
“Colin! Are you insane?” As she reached for him, she glanced up. Demyan was moving toward them now … his wicked, glowing gaze piercing her very soul. Colin jerked forward again, nearly sending Bea to the ground.
Regaining her balance, she latched on to his arm and gave him a good shake. “Damn you! Stop! It’s madness. You can’t go after him. Not in your state.”
Hunched over, his breathing heavy, Colin seemed deaf to her pleas. His gaze remained pinned to Demyan like a wolf after its next meal. He’d gone feral, mad, and Bea didn’t know how to bring him back to sanity. Where was the laughing, obnoxious man she’d met? The man who’d do anything to keep her safe. Hadn’t he whispered as much that night in Anish’s hut, when she’d been half-dead?
“Blast it, Colin, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” She tightened her grip and stepped in front of him, blocking Demyan from view. But Colin wasn’t there in those blue eyes. Something primitive had replaced those laughing orbs. Fear shivered through her being.
“Colin?” She wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her cheek to his. “Please, Colin, please. If we don’t leave now, we’ll die.”
Breathing heavily, he slumped into her, his weight so intense that Bea stumbled back. Sweat broke out on her forehead, but she managed to keep him upright. She didn’t understand why, but he wanted to fight. He was in no shape to fight. And if they stayed, if they didn’t leave soon, they’d die.
Leaves rustled a warning. Demyan was moving again. Fear clawed its way into Bea’s throat. She latched on to Colin’s shirt, balling the material in her fist. “Please! Colin, please! I’ll die if we stay. Do
you want me to die?” Her voice broke as tears spilled from her eyes.
The words worked, or perhaps it was her tears. He jerked his head toward her, but his eyes were still wide and wild.
“Please, Colin. The river.” She cupped his chin, forcing him to remain focused on her. “I’m taking you to the river.”
She talked slowly and purposefully, as she’d seen mothers do with children. As if giving in to defeat or perhaps exhaustion, he slumped into her, the fight seeming to drain from him.
“And what do you plan on doing there?” he whispered.
He moved his legs, trying to keep up with her, but his feet were hitting hers, hindering her more than helping. His voice was normal once more; her Colin had returned.
“Stop asking questions,” she grunted, tightening her arm around his waist. “Save your energy.”
“You … don’t …” He swallowed hard. “Want me to ask.” He took in a deep, trembling breath. “Because you don’t know what the … hell you’re doing.”
He was right, of course, but she couldn’t just sit there and allow them to die. “I won’t leave you behind, Colin. And I sure as bloody hell won’t give up without a fight.”
The words seemed to inspire him. With a low growl, Colin pulled away from her. Without his weight, Bea suddenly felt off balance, alone. He hunched over, his breathingrigid, a fine sheen of sweat covering his forehead. It was obvious merely standing was draining him of energy. But they didn’t have time for him to recuperate.
With a sigh of frustration, she focused on Demyan. He was moving closer, crunching through the dry vegetation like King Henry. Nothing would stop the man. “Colin, please! We must hurry!”
Colin turned and pulled the trigger. Demyan staggered back and collapsed to the ground, his body hidden by weeds. But he was still there. And apparently, he’d regain his feet. Somehow … God, she didn’t understand. Her mind spun, her vision growing blurry with confusion. Only fear and instinct urged her to run.
Colin grabbed her arm and pushed her forward. “Go.”
Bea stumbled through the forest, having just enough time to glance back and make sure Colin followed.
“Go!” he demanded, catching up to move beside her.
She ignored his surly tone and burst through the brush, the bag thumping against her hip. Branches snagged her clothing before snapping like bones breaking. Heat shimmered off the leaves, dew evaporating into the brilliant morning. There was enough light to see now, enough light to easily find them. Colin panted beside her, tripping more than he was running. He couldn’t go much farther. She couldn’t last much longer. Her lungs already burned with the need for rest.
Bea glanced back. Demyan was gone. Her heart jumped in her chest. Where was he?
She latched on to Colin’s arm and pulled, urging him forward. “The river. We’ll go to the river.” She knew, just knew the water was ahead. Over their panting, she swore she could hear the soft gurgle of a river whispering through the air, calling out safety.
The ground suddenly gave way. Bea’s ankles twisted and a yelp escaped. Their bottoms hit the slope and then they bounced into the air. Bea felt as if she floated, and for a mere second, no ground was underfoot. Then Colin’s hand ripped from hers and she was falling, falling into the gray dawn. A scream slipped from her lips. She had only a moment to notice the brown water below before her body hit the surface with a splash.
Bea.
Dear God, he had to get to Bea before the monster did.
Colin flung his arms above his head, but he felt like he was swimming through mud. Every slight movement pulled at his muscles, stretching, aching. The current tugged at his body, dragging him down farther … farther …
He would not drown. Damn it. He would not drown and leave Bea to fight on her own. He would not abandon her as he’d abandoned his mother. With a growl, he fought against the pull, against his weakness, one monster’s face spurring him upward.
Just above the water, sunlight glinted like gold, precious and surreal … so close. He jerked his head left, then right. Bea. Where the hell was Bea? Fear pulsed through his body. The water was murky, the light barely adding to the visibility. What if she’d drowned? What if Demyan had gotten to her …
Gritting his teeth, he moved his legs, struggling to reach the top. Bea was a great swimmer. She’d be there, waiting for him. He had to believe that. He burst through the surface, immediately sucking in a gulp of air. Frantic, he spun around, looking for her. His hat floated on the water next to him. No Bea.
The sound of sputtering came from behind. A sound as beautiful as angels singing. He turned. She was there, only feet away, coughing and flailing her arms, trying to fight the current and reach him at the same time.
“Colin!” Bea cried out.
Relief sank into his gut, nearly dragging him back down into the water. “Bea.”
Smart girl that she was, she’d latched on to a branch and was reaching out for him. Colin gripped her hand, her fingers cold, her grip slippery. It was the second time she’d pulled him to safety. Clumps of wet hair fell around her face. She looked beautiful. He looped his arm around her narrow waist and pulled her close. Part of him wanted to hold her forever.
His heart slammed against hers. He took only a moment to savor the feel of her safe in his arms. Finally, he pulled back and scanned the bank. Just through the branches, across the river, a shadow shifted. Demyan on the cliff, looking down at them. Anger scalded Colin’s insides, burning a path up through his body. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. How badly Colin wanted to go after him. How badly Colin wanted to kill the man.
“Who is he?”
Forced back into reality, Colin opened his eyes. Bea was watching him, but how the hell did he explain? “Let’s get on dry land.”
He glanced back. Demyan was gone.
“Colin?”
It would take the man some time to find a way across the river. Still, they had only moments to rest. Colin took Bea’s hand and pulled her toward the shore. Deep down he’d known. He’d known Demyan was the man he’d been searching for, but dear God, he had no idea what the man was capable of.
Colin’s feet sank into thick, brown mud, slowing their progress. His hat had caught on a branch. He grabbed it, then latched on to Bea’s arm and helped her up the bank. Reaching solid ground, they collapsed onto a carpet of wet leaves, lying side by side.
He couldn’t close his eyes without seeing Demyan’s face. Colin’s entire body trembled, his heart racing so fast he feared it might explode. All the while, his mind warred with his emotions. Even now, more than ever, he knew he had to get Bea away from Demyan. He needed to get her to safety. But guilt and sorrow demanded retribution. He pounded his fists against the damp earth. He wanted to find the man. He wanted to put a bullet through his black heart. To see him suffer …
“I lost the bag. It was too heavy, I couldn’t hold on to it.”
He glanced at Bea. He’d almost forgotten she was there. “It was nothing.”
She turned on her side to look at him. “It was everything we had!”
“It was nothing,” he yelled.
Bea flinched and fell silent.
He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He shouldn’t have yelled at her, but damn it, didn’t she realize the bag was nothing compared to what they could lose? Didn’t she realize what kind of danger they were in?
“We can’t stay long. He’ll find a way across the river.”
Bea nodded as she sat upright. Her white shirt clung indecently to her chest. Her hair, wet and dripping, made muddy puddles on the dirt. Christ, he was an idiot for even noticing her state of undress when they were in such dire circumstances.
“Who is he?” she whispered.
Colin raked his wet hair back and shook the excess water from his fingers. He hated the fear he heard in her voice. Hated that he hadn’t a clue as to how to protect her. Silently, he stared up into the green canopy above. He didn’t want to talk about
the man. Talking would only bring back painful memories he’d worked so hard to bury. But he knew he had to give her something.
“The man who killed my mother.”
Stillness stretched taut until Colin wondered if Bea had heard him. He turned his head toward her. Shock and disbelief warred in her gaze. She’d heard him; she was merely too horrified to respond.
“He what?” she finally replied.
Colin looked away, taking in a deep, calming breath. Even now, the memories were too fresh, too painful. “He killed my mother. I was ten when he appeared. He wanted me. My mother held him off as long as she could. Enough time for me to escape. I haven’t seen him since. But it’s him. I’d never forget those eyes.”
He was proud of himself for keeping his voice so calm. Bea wouldn’t have to know how afraid he’d been as a lad, how angry he was even now. How every night, he dreamt …
He felt her fingers slip around his, her hand soft and warm and comforting in a way he would have never expected. Colin stiffened. He swallowed hard, unsure if he wanted her touch or not. He was so damn used to being alone.
“He came for Ella, too,” he whispered, wanting to take the attention away from him. As much as he craved her touch, it felt awkward, unjustified. He hadn’t been comforted in years; he didn’t need it now.
“Why?” Bea shook her head. “Why does he want you?”
He pulled his hand away. “Bea.” Struggling upright, he looked directly into her amber eyes. “You know. Deep down, you know there’s something … different about me and Ella.”
Her brows snapped together as she frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“You do.” He couldn’t believe the woman didn’t know. She wouldn’t have asked him to heal the elephant, and she couldn’t have spent months with Ella and not have noticed.
But Bea stood and squeezed the water from her hair, avoiding his gaze. “No. I don’t. We should follow the river. Raj said to follow the river.” She started downstream.
“Bea.” Colin stumbled to his feet. “Bea, wait.” What was wrong with her? Why did he have the feeling she was trying to escape? She’d been the one to ask about Demyan, after all. She needed to know what the man was capable of.