The woman scrambled backward. Her hand went to her belt, searching for another weapon. But. Nothing left.
"Wait—" she started. Trying to buy time. Trying to think. "We can—"
But Alaric moved.
Fast. Too fast for her to react.
His hand shot out and closed around her throat. Lifted her off the ground like she weighed nothing.
Then he turned and slammed her back into a tree trunk.
CRACK!
The impact drove the air from her lungs. Her ribs broke. Pain exploded through her chest.
Blood filled her mouth. She coughed and it spilled down her chin.
Alaric held her there. Pinned against the rough bark. His grip was iron. Unbreakable.
His pupils pulsed. Dilating and contracting. Like a heartbeat.
He leaned in closer.
Sniff!
The fresh, warm scent of blood, clouded his senses.
His tongue came out, and he moved to her face, following the trail of blood down her chin.
The woman's eyes widened. She tried to struggle but her body wouldn't respond properly.
