Strong arms wrapped around me from behind, pinning my own arms to my sides as I was lifted off the ground against a broad chest. I screamed, kicking and struggling as I tried to wrench myself from his grasp.
“Unhand me!” I ordered, slamming my heel against his shin.
The poacher let out a curse as another lurched forward andgrabbed my ankles, rendering my legs useless, his grip so tight I gasped in pain.
“Don’t touch her!” Liam shouted as he tried to pull away from two men who were holding him back.
A burly man hit Liam on the back of the head, knocking him unconscious.
“No!” I screamed, flailing and resuming my attempt to escape. “Liam!”
A tall and wide man with tan skin and sandy blond hair yanked Liam’s head up by his hair, pulled a knife out, and held it against his throat. “If you don’t stop screaming and carrying on, I’ll kill him. We only need one of you anyway. So don’t try anything.”
I froze, heeding his orders, my heart still racing a mile a minute.
“Let’s go,” the blond man—who appeared to be the leader—ordered as he headed away. The group followed, two men dragging Liam, another two gripping my arms, with the last bringing up the rear.
I thought through every potential escape. I could struggle again…or somehow surprise them enough to loosen their grip and then run into the woods. I could feign illness and perhaps they would let go. But even if I was able to free myself from their clutches, they were faster than me and I refused to leave Liam behind, especially when he was incapable of protecting himself.
I would have to wait for him to awaken and a better opportunity.
Forcing myself to match their pace, I allowed the men to march me through the forest, all of our supplies left behind. Determined to make it back to our belongings after our escape, I paid sharp attention to our surroundings, cataloguing each tree or rock, every odd plant or bright flower, and committing it all to memory.
We passed by a large tree with a heart-shaped burl in thecenter of its trunk. A few minutes later, we climbed over a fallen log, covered in lichen that resembled a face.
All the while, I remained quiet, sneaking glances at Liam from up ahead, still not awake.
It wasn’t long before we crested a hill, arriving at a large camp. Half a dozen tents took up the space in the clearing, set up next to a small river. A fire crackled in the center beneath a tall structure protecting it from the mist coming down.
But my eyes caught on something else.
The animals.
Dozens of cages sat throughout the site, filled with wildlife. Clear containers held brilliant-colored snakes and lizards. An entire family of sturudillos were crammed into their own enclosure. A stunning parrot, its feathers a rainbow of colors, cawed from his pen. Monkeys chattered. A small fox whined.
And my heart broke.
These weren’t just poachers. They were part of the illegal animal trade where people could purchase exotic pets on the black market.
I was livid.
“What is this?” I shrieked, forgetting my plan to be quiet. “What are you doing to these poor animals?” I began to struggle again. “Let go of me this instant. This is highly illegal. You cannot do this!”
“Will someone shut her up?” the leader barked.
Before I could prepare myself, a fist hit my face. Stars danced in my vision and pain bloomed across my cheek. My head fell forward as I was dragged across camp, moaning through the throbbing in my cheek. Everything was blurry. I could barely see through my tears. Could barely focus through the pounding in my head.
Almost delirious I barely comprehended someone tying rope around my wrists and ankles, then dropping me to the ground.
“Liam,” I moaned. Where was he? I needed him. I needed help. “Liam…” I whispered again.
Then,my vision went dark.
“Cerise.”A voice. Soft. Quiet. Worried.
My head pounded; my face throbbed.
I tried to move but I couldn’t. Something rough dug into my wrists. I let out a small whimper.
