Page 3 of Niall

“You made an odd sound. Like a growl.”

“I’m hungry,” I lied.

“Please go eat. I’ll be all right.”

Except as my hand curled around the doorknob, I swore I felt her anxiety ramp up. My own chest tightened in fear as if it was absorbing hers. I let go and sighed, dropping my head to my chest.

And I stayed where I was.

I led her to my room, indicating the clothing I put out, and then I pointed to the door. “I’m having a shower. Right there. I’ll leave the door open so you can hear me. You get dressed, and then we’ll have something to eat, okay?”

She nodded, clutching the towel to her chest. Her skin glistened, and the bruising I’d seen in the misty glass was vivid and dark.

“I have a doctor coming to see you as well.”

Her trembling started again, and I stepped close. “A friend, Anna. All you will encounter here are friends. No one will hurt you. I swear it.” I took her hand, lifting it to my face. “No one will get near you. I won’t let them. Do you understand?”

She swallowed and nodded.

I quickly headed to the shower, anxious to wash off the blood and the smell. I raced through it, returning to her in less than ten minutes. She was dressed, looking like a child in my too-large clothes. She was attempting to brush her hair with her fingers, and I handed her my brush.

“Probably not the kind you like. I know women prefer certain brushes,” I said with a smile. “But better than your fingers.”

She offered me a timid smile. It changed her face, making her even prettier. She had a dimple to the right of one eye that deepened and made her look adorable. I imagined before this happened her smile had lit up a room.

I hoped it would again one day.

And strangely enough, I hoped I was around to see it.

All I could get her to eat was toast. Sip a little tea I added too much sugar to. I wanted her to eat more, but her terror lingered. She jumped at every noise, casting her eyes around the room as if waiting to be attacked. The lights bothered her, and I turned them down when she explained she needed to get used to the light again.

“It was so dark there,” she murmured, pulling the blanket around her tighter. “My eyes hurt a little.”

There was a knock at the door, and her eyes went wide. I stood, laying a hand on her shoulder.

“The doctor,” I soothed, then headed over and let him in.

Dr. Barnes sat across from her, smiling kindly. “Hello. You must be Anna.”

She nodded.

He drew in a patient breath. “You’ve been through a terrible ordeal, and I’ve been instructed to check on your physical health. Would you allow me to look you over?”

I saw her chest start to pump rapidly, the way her fingers gripped the blanket.

“I’ll be right here, mo mhuirnín.”

I blinked at the endearment that slipped out, then mentally shrugged. I was tired and used an expression I had heard often growing up. She had no idea what it meant.

But she relaxed a little, and Dr. Barnes did a quick exam, tsking over the bruises, asking her questions. He sat back, looking distressed.

“Well?” I demanded, worried.

“Physically, I am not surprised with my findings.” He addressed Anna. “You, my dear, are dehydrated, malnourished, and it is indicative of the traumas you have experienced. You are rather tender on the right side. Were you struck there often?”

“He-he liked to kick me.”

Rage began to boil again. I knew who the he was, and I could only hope he had bled out slowly, watching as his sick obsession was carried away from him.