Page 86 of Black Ledger

My face grew tight with held-in emotions. I would not let him know how deeply he affected me. I didn’t want his attention anymore. I wanted him to move on to his next victim. I took two hesitant steps back, my gaze locked on his deep blue irises. Emptiness greeted me.I shivered, and then I ran.

As fast as I could, I ran.

Which probably only fueled the sick cravings inside of him, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to get away. I could have fought him… actually fought him. But that would leave both of us with bruises, and I wasn’t foolish enough to believe I could beat him.

Anyone else?

Maybe.

Severin Volkov.

Fuck no.

So I ran.

I ran past the Rockefeller Chapel and Ancient Cultures Museum and into the Main Quad. But I didn’t continue forward. I needed to lose him. So I dodged right, between Stuart Hall and the Department of Psychology.

I cut through tight spaces to force myself to get the upper hand. He was big, I was small. That was my main advantage.

I was usually faster than him in a sprint, but I was in fucking heels… heels. Okay, maybe I didn’t want to be like all the other girls anymore. Running in heels was neither a blessing nor useful.

I kicked them off and kept going. I took a tight turn and navigated through a narrow passage. Severin didn’t take the bait. He cut the angle instead, redirecting me and closing in on me.

I felt him on me. I didn’t have to turn to see. I knew it.

His advantage would always be up close and well, shit. We were going to fight then because I wouldn’t give in to him. But the fight would start on my terms.

I cut another corner, blocked him off, and got away.

My breaths were steady and controlled. This was barely a warm-up for me. But I still ran.

I didn’t maintain the advantage for long. Severin was closer now. His feet echoed less, and he pulled more weight into his stride. Then his fingertips brushed my arm, and he almost caught me, but just in time I slipped away and behind a tree, my feet still moving on the grass.

Still running.

But his footsteps didn’t falter. It would be only moments before I completely lost all advantage.

In an instant, I stilled completely and let him catch me, and at the last moment, I pivoted tightly and drove my elbow hard into his ribs. Quick, precise, and sharp.

The impact of my hit reverberated through my muscles and bones. I shook out my arm, having hit my funny bone.

Severin let out a rough exhale, my hit leaving him breathless.

I didn’t hesitate. I only had moments to get any advantage over him. I struck his thigh with the outside of my hand.

But he was too fast. He caught my wrist, his finger pads digging roughly into my skin.

I twisted my body, throwing my whole weight behind it to break out of his hold, and as I finished my turn, I brought my knee up into his groin.

But he blocked me with his thigh and let out a low growl. I snapped out another strike to his torso. If I were going to escape him, I needed to get him on the ground. But my blow didn’t land.

As I was about to strike, he pivoted his body and forced me off balance. I fell into him, but I was quick and able to get my feet underneath me. I ducked his hold and landed a quick, sharp hit to his lower stomach.

He let it land and crowded me, removing my ability to escape or land a harder hit—I needed momentum for that.

Damn.

I went for his throat, fast and without mercy, but he caught my wrist again. I twisted and almost got free, but his other hand was there. Containing me.