“As long as you're with her, Sir.”
Wayne went to the small brick house and hit a button and the gates buzzed open.
Merc responded kindly, “We won't be gone too long.”
Nightshade huffed and as soon as the gates opened wide enough for her to squeeze through, took off, intending to put as much distance between her and Merc as possible.
The words ofEvanescence, ‘Lies’mocked her as she ran at full out speed down the highway, knowing she couldn't escape him, but she had to try. Had to do anything she could to get away from him.
Outside of the estate, the trees grew thick, with vines winding wildly between, as if someone had cut a swath through an unclaimed forest and popped down a two-lane road. The highway led her onward, directing her feet as her mind wandered. She tried to concentrate on her breathing. In. Out. In. Out. She kept her heart rate low, a skill that had been hard-learned over her life and kept running. After a few minutes without slowing she chanced a glance over her shoulder, smiling when she didn’t see Merc.
That was the bad thing about all that muscle, it was heavy and had to weigh him down. There was no way he'd be able to keep pace with her over a long distance. Speed out ranked raw power every time. A burst of inspired adrenaline urged her on and she took the sharp curve to the left at high speed, the wind in her face exhilarating. Finally, she was free to be herself. Out here, alone she didn't have to pretend, she just existed.
Faster, gaining momentum as the road sloped downward, her sneakers slapped the black pavement as she increased speed. Another curve, almost a ninety degree turn going downhill, she lengthened her stride, pumping her arms faster, becoming one with the wind.
A huge form loomed in the road ahead of her. Her heart stopped, skipped and then her instincts and training took over. Nightshade spun, using her forward momentum to drive her, she jumped up, swinging her leg in a round house. Just before she connected, she realized the huge form was Merc. Time slowed, she tried to stop but her momentum carried her forward. Her leg connected with his lower back with enough force that would send a normal man to his knees. Merc rocked up on the balls of his feet and Nightshade dropped to the ground, clutching her leg in agony. It was as if she kicked a brick wall.
Merc knelt next to her in a split second, shoving her hands out of the way so he could inspect her leg. “What the hell was that?”
Nightshade bit her tongue. All the careful planning and acting, and her knee-jerk response could have blown her cover entirely. “Instinct, I guess.”
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't see past the cold hard mask he’d put up. But his next words left her cold. “No one has instincts like that.”
