“I am here,” he heard Baron say from behind him.
Ash saw the knife then that Brunt had in his other hand.
“If you touch her, I will kill you before you draw a second breath.”
“They’re witches. All of them, even the brothers. Sorcerers.”
“Brunt, let the girl go.” Mrs. Radcliff stomped in behind Baron.
“Release her,” Ash said in a cold, hard voice. “And I may let you live.”
Her eyes locked on his.
“Be still, Dorrie.”
“I’m ridding us of one of them. One less to give us their potions and magic!” Brunt roared.
He saw her move but couldn’t reach her as she raised a fist and slammed it into Brunt’s groin hard. He moaned, the knife struck her side, and he stumbled back.
“Dorrie!” Ash had her in his arms in seconds.
He heard footsteps, voices, but could think of only one thing. Dorrie. “Christ, Dorrie, speak to me!”
“I’m all right.” She said the words into his chest. “It’s happened again.”
“Where are you hurt?” He eased her back.
“I’m all right,” she said. Pale, eyes wide in her face, she tried to smile and failed.
“I saw him stab you.” Ash was desperate to find the wound. “Where, Dorrie?”
“M-My side.” Her hand moved to her side and came away covered in blood. She then fainted. Ash lifted her into his arms and ran from the house with Baron on his heels.
“Take her to Oaks Knoll. I will bring Essie!” Baron roared.
He moved as fast as he could with her in his arms.
“Ash?” She roused as he approached the house.
“Sssh. You are hurt.”
“Did I faint?”
“You did.”
“I’m all right.” Her voice sounded weak.
“You were stabbed. Now shut up.”
He walked into the house that felt more like home than the one he’d been raised in. The home where he’d made love to the woman bleeding in his arms. Panic gripped him. She couldn’t die. So much good was in her, and love. Her family would be devastated. He would be devastated.
I could die tomorrow.She’d said those words to him the day they’d made love. It couldn’t be true; he wouldn’t allow it.
He headed for the surgery and lowered her to the table.
“Dorrie, you must lie there now and not move.” Ash braced his hands on either side of her body. “Essie and Baron will be here shortly.”
She nodded, her face so pale now she was almost white, and Ash felt ice-cold panic spread through him.
