The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado) Read Online Free Page B

beside him and he sent a mental command to retreat back far enough to stay out of his way. She stumbled away, wringing her hands, and he turned his attention back to the wounded witch.
    Anger stirred at the vivid red welts already forming on her creamy skin . Stupid serving woman. His protective instincts swelled and he closed his eyes, ignoring the fear shouting against Sabrina's ability to survive the nasty blow to her head.
    Don’t be melodramatic. It’s only a faint.
    Except she still hadn’t taken a breath. Panic screamed at the edges of his awareness and he hoped he could reach her despite their short association.
    Bloody hell, woman, inhale!

Chapter Three
     
    Sabrina stood at the foot of a suspension bridge extending into the mists, the cool wetness of spring dripping off the struts of the bridge. Silence of the senses surrounded her. No sounds, tastes, smells or textures shook the stillness. Only foggy sight offered any indication she still existed.
    Sabrina frowned.
    This had to be a dream because nothing like this stood in Cloudburst. The hazy silhouette of a great tree awaited her at the far end of the bridge, but the distance of the span escaped her estimation. She grasped the guy ropes and squeezed to find some sort of physical purchase, but her hands felt numb.
    Where am I and how did I get here?
    Memories sifted, as insubstantial as the mists around her. She shook her head to focus her thoughts, but everything swirled away as substantial as smoke. Something was wrong.
    Sabrina sought to inhale, to find the scents of spring, but she couldn’t breathe. Panic gripped her mind and her hands tightened on the ropes. Oh Goddess, I can’t breathe! She bent at the waist and tried again, squeezing her eyes shut, but her lungs refused to expand.
    D ear Goddess, am I dying? Is that why I’m at the edge of the bridge?
    I can’t die! Who would care for her children? Who would protect them?
    She wanted to wail her distress, but she had no air to expel sound. She bowed her head and tears fell, scalding her cheeks in fiery trails.
    The ropes under her hands vibrated and she stilled, opening her eyes. Raising her head, she stared into the misty expanse of the bridge. A figure materialized half-way along the span, more solid than the rest of this world, and extended his hand out to her. She swallowed hard.
    Darius? What is he doing here?
    Even in his hazy state, he looked noble and strong. She wanted to believe his appearance meant safety and protection, but standing in the center of the bridge he only represented the unknown.
    “Come with me, Sabrina.”
    How does he have breath here and I don’t?
    “You must focus, my lady. You must make the first step. Come back with me.”
    Sabrina shook her head in confusion. Back with him? Back where?
    His expression tightened with frustrated concern. “Take the step. Trust me.”
    She wanted to scoff, but sound required air. Trust him? I don’t know him.
    “Please, Sabrina.”
    Something in Darius’s voice encouraged her, coaxing her to move forward. She bit her lip and extended her foot onto the flimsy bridge, hoping it would hold her weight.
    “ That’s it.” Darius remained still, his hand offering her shelter and security. “You can do it. Just take my hand.”
    The bridge swayed in a dangerous arc and she froze on the rickety board, panic dragging at her gut. I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe. The mantra repeated in her mind, eradicating all other thoughts. Sabrina closed her eyes and bowed her head, her hands squeezing the guy ropes until her knuckles cracked.
    “Sabrina, look at me.” She shook her head again. I can’t breathe . “Look at me, acushla. ”
    She forced her eyes open. Darius smiled with none of his usual slick charm.
    “ Good, my lady. Reach for me, now.” His fingers flexed a little, urging her forward.  “Just a few more steps.”
    She wished she could take a deep breath to buck up her courage, but she couldn’t make her lungs work.