Warrior Fae Trapped (Warrior Fae #1)(16)

“I got her,” the first guy yelled out.

“No, wait—”

Feet slapped the ground behind Charity. A hand wrapped around her upper arm and whipped her around.

“Let her go!”

But the guy didn’t listen. His other hand was already closing around her throat.

She jabbed his eyes with her fingers and slammed her fist into his throat. Although he’d already lost his grip, she swung her whole arm up to knock him away faster, shoving him toward an advancing Devon with all her might.

The two guys grappled with each other to find their feet, but Charity was already sprint-hobbling again, heart in her throat and nearly at the door.

“No, wait,” Devon said again.

This time she didn’t hear the footsteps. She was already at the door, shoving it open, when a larger hand, stronger, closed around her wrist. He yanked her back, but she turned and kicked, using the doorframe to steady herself. Faster than lightning, he dodged and reached for her with his second hand.

She ripped free, slapping at his hands, and ran through the door. Her heel slipped and she was falling, the yell for help caught in her throat. She expected his body to slam into her. His hands to wrap around her and drag her back. But nothing happened.

He stood in the threshold. His gaze darted around like a pinball—past her, down to the ground in front of him, up to the doorframe—before finally settling on her. He shook his head slowly, his intelligent gaze sparkling with warning.

“Come out,” he whispered, as though the house were a sleeping dragon and he didn’t want to wake it. “It is incredibly dangerous for you in there. They’ll kill you. Come out. Come back to me. I can protect you.”

She scrambled to her feet, pain shooting through her toes and heels. The clack of the heels was loud in the quiet house.

“You’re crazy,” she said, her heart still beating frantically. “Do you hear yourself? You need to go sleep it off.”

He gripped the frame. “You don’t understand. You’re in their territory now. Please come back out. I will protect you.”

She edged away, not wanting to turn her back on his furtive stare and drugged-out mind. He was in a fairytale right now, and she didn’t want to wake the beasties and turn his trip into the nightmare his friend was living.

“Please,” he said again, but she was already turning the corner. Although she had no idea why he wouldn’t come inside, she was thankful for it.

She pushed through the cavernous house, her heart ringing in her ears even more loudly for the silence. The kitchen waited, dimly lit and deserted, the crystal goblets sitting empty on the countertops.

Where was everyone?

She glanced at the clock over the microwave. It was much later than she had suspected, but still, it was only one o’clock. And most, if not all, of the cars were still there…

Charity peeped through the sliding glass door into the empty backyard. Two piles of clothes lay forgotten on the dewy grass near the pool. The blue water shimmered from its subterranean light. The peace and tranquility of deep night had descended, laying a thick blanket over the party scene.

But still…where was everyone?

She glanced back the way she’d come, making sure Devon hadn’t followed. It was empty. Quiet.

“This has got to be the strangest party I’ve ever heard about. Ever,” she murmured, finally slipping out of the shoes. “This can’t be a normal college deal.”

Confused, she grabbed a glass from a cupboard and filled it with water. Leaning back against the sink, she went over her options. She could walk thirty miles home with bare feet, she could call a cab with no money to pay for it, or she could wait around until someone agreed to give her a ride home.

“Hmm, I guess I’ll take door number three, Jimmy,” she said quietly, immediately regretting that she’d spoken out loud. Her voice was way too small for the huge, empty space.

After finishing her water in a few glugs, Charity made her way deeper into the house, checking the many gaping rooms for any people. When she found no one, she continued toward the stairs. As she continued her search, another thought occurred to her. Donnie’s Charger was still here. Done up sporty, black on black, it was hard to miss. She hadn’t been thinking clearly when she’d glanced at it earlier, but now…

Lead filled her chest. If he hadn’t gone for Sam, he’d found someone else. The last thing she wanted to do was walk in on him and some lady.

Doesn’t matter. I’m lucky to be where I am.

A wide hallway dotted with closed doors greeted her at the top of the stairs. She stood next to the first door and listened. A quiet house listened back.

Pursing her lips, she reached for the gleaming handle before turning gently to see if it was locked. It wasn’t.

The door swung inward slowly, revealing a dark room. Light from the window spilled across the floor and the bed. The occupied bed. She froze.

Two bodies writhed on top of the sheets, the man’s mouth locked in a fervent kiss on the girl’s neck. His bare backside repeatedly pushed toward her body, met by the upward swing of her hips. A feminine moan curled through the air.

Oh my God!

Charity yanked the door shut and then winced at the thud of wood banging off wood. She stood rigid in the hallway for a moment, half in shock. She wasn’t a virgin or a prude or anything, but…yikes!