“Yeah?” a voice asks.
“It’s Rachel,” I say, my voice shaking. “I need—Sasha.”
“Don’t move.”
When the side gate opens, I launch myself inside and then drop to my knees and the tears I’ve been holding back start flowing.
I’m safe.
I hear footfalls pounding toward me. He scoops me up. I can’t see, but it’s him. I know him.
I sob, unable to stop.
When the warmth and light of the house hits me, my eyes are still closed.
Sasha’s roar of fury startles me, and I stiffen.
“Let’s see,” Trick says urgently.
“I’ll kill them!” Sasha’s shout is so loud the walls shake.
“Bring her. ‘Vil! Let’s see! So we can stop it.”
“Where? I’ll fucking kill them!” he yells.
I hear footsteps pounding down the stairs.
“It looks dry,” Trick says. “‘Vil, this way. Bring her,” he says frantically
I open my eyes, blinking against the light. There’s running water, and Sasha walks into a shower with me. Trick’s in the doorway, getting sprayed. He scrubs my arm with a washcloth.
“No, ‘Vil. She’s not cut. Her arm’s not cut.”
“Hold her,” Sasha says. “Let me see.”
He hands me to Trick and then tears away my dress and runs his hands over me. “No. Nothing here. Turn her around.” Trick turns me, so I’m facing him. My eyes are wide with shock. “No,” Sasha says, his voice lower, calmer.
His hands catch me under the arms, and he takes me back.
“‘Vil,” Trick says softly. “What about inside?”
“Get out. I’ll check.”
Trick disappears, and Sasha carries me to the bed. I’m dripping wet, but not crying anymore. I’m too stunned.
“Raven,” he whispers. “Are you hurt inside? Did they put anything sharp inside you?”
I stare at him, too appalled to speak.
“I’ll check. I’ll be careful.”
I kick his hand away. “No. I’m not hurt inside. I-I’m okay. Just upset.”
“Whose blood was it?” he asks, still breathing hard.
I sit up, shivering. “I’m cold.”
“Yeah, all right.” He jerks the blanket and wraps it around me.
