Fear wrestledwith terror as Izzy waited for her moment. The second the bandit's body was out of the carriage, Izzy darted forthe trap doorway. Pulling up the panel, she slipped into the pitch dark. With her ears pounding, she prayed the monster couldn't see her.
"Where are ye?"a heavy voice growled. She closed her eyes as she listened to the heavy steps falling around the carriage. "Clever minx."
"No,"Izzy screamed as fingers curled over her shoulder. In sheer panic, Izzy curled her hands into a tight ball of furry and let her arm swing wild.
"Enough of this.Will ye come to yer senses, lass? We've got several miles to go before we get to the castle, and the only way we're gettin' there now is by foot."
Izzy slowly turned.Her eyes widened at the strange and horrific face before her. Despite the shadows cloaking the Laird's face, Izzy could see the blood splattered over his features. Was it his or the bandits'?
"Ye hurt?"
Izzy's headfelt dizzy as the Laird's face shifted just enough to distort his features. Instead of standing before her husband to be, Izzy found her late brother staring back at her. He flashed her his charming, crooked grin before the image was tainted by pools of blood streaming down her brother's face.
"No, get away from me,"Izzy wailed as the vile remnant of her brother reached for her. It was as if she were in a nightmare she couldn't wake from. Her head ached as her view grew smaller until she was shrouded in darkness.
