Willow
“Stay here,” Leif growled and leapt to his feet. He tied my tether to a small tree. “And keep quiet, no matter what evil you see.”
“Wait,” I cried. Something changed. His form was hunched and rigid, every muscle tensed. “Are you going to fight them?”
He paused with his back to me. “Frightened for me, lass?” His rough guttural voice was tempered with a touch of teasing.
I hugged my knees to my chest. I should want to escape this warrior, but I did not want him to leave.
“Do not fear, little captive. I will scout the area and return. If you remain here, I can keep you safe.” He vanished into the forest.
Alone, I sat in a shroud of silence. The normal night sounds—the creaking of insects, the hoot of an owl—receded. Dread hung in the air.
Darkness pressing on me, I waited, huddl
