les hovered just an inch away from the rou

lip so hard that she tasted the sharp, metallic

earing. It was followed immediately by a heavy

grip on the canvas duffel bag strap tightene

a second time, the heavy brass dead

. It revealed a massive wall of solid muscle

kward in pure shock, her heel catching dang

. Long, strong fingers gripped her upper arm effortles

ainfully in her throat as she finall

ling the corner of his mouth and his left eye downward into a permanent, grotesque sneer. His left eye was completely milky white and blind, covered partially by the twisted skin, while his right

sion was completely blank. His grip on her arm w

half-step back into the dark shadows of the do

etely dry. The carefully rehearsed speech she had prepar

velly voice broke the silence, vibrating in the

ly a whisper. She introduced herself as Cla

ognition, followed instantly by profound distaste, crossed the

e. His tone was flat, dead, and colder tha

ance. She pleaded with him, her voice cracking, explaining that

ingered on her cheap, worn-out jacket and the pa

oblems were not his concern. He reached out, his

ion completely overrode her fear. She blurted out a frant

ss knob. His eyes narrowed dangerously as he

ure of the burn scar near his left temple. It was a terrifying, undeniable flaw that

rsonal space, his imposing height and broad shou

cabin was no place for a little girl. He tried to

sibly from the cold and fear, but she maintain

through his thick, dark hair, looking visib

dark dirt path. He ordered her to turn around a

blurring her vision. She declared loudly that she would free

moment. The thick muscles in his jaw clenched tight. Wit