Forged of Fire (41 page)

Annika woke feeling groggy and sore. She sat slowly, trying to remember where she was. There was a light shining through an opening revealing that she was inside a giant tree trunk. The rays of light were faint but still hurt her eyes. She lifted her hand to shield them and felt a lump under her right eye. She slowly explored her face with her hands feeling lumps springing up under her skin. Curiously, her hands drifted down to the other spot of pain, her breasts. She ran her hands over them she felt dampness. She looked down, finding her dress stained with blood. Her hands started to shake as the events of the night before flooded her mind. Much to her horror she found her dress was also torn down the middle. He must have tried to cover her after he’d had his way.

She stood trembling and felt an ache between her legs. She was too afraid to look down, as she knew what was to be seen, more blood. She steadied herself, and closed the front of her gown as best as she could. She walked to the tree opening, peeking out. Though the forest was shaded by giant trees, she could tell by the placement of the sun, it was morning. She slowly walked out, looking out for Jax. He was the last person she ever wanted to see again. He didn’t seem to be here anymore. She felt slightly relieved until she remembered she was in the Dark Forest, where dangerous creatures lived. A new terror ran through her bones. Just as she was ready to run, she noticed a note nailed into the tree.

Dear Annie,

I am sorry if I hurt you, but the pain you feel now is nothing compared to the pain in my heart. You betrayed me. That will never happen again. Your beloved James is dead, I killed him. You should have seen it. He called your name over and over. It really was touching, knowing his love for you. I told him you were dead too. His pain was amusing to me. I am making arrangements for our wedding. You will be my wife, I think after last night you know better than to cross me. We will announce it tonight. Go home Annie, clean up. See you soon.

Love,

Jax

He killed James. Her mind couldn’t get past the one line of the letter confessing his murder of James. She wandered aimlessly through the Dark Forest only mildly aware of the eyes watching her. She didn’t care. Her love was dead, and she would now have to marry Jax. In her heart, she knew she would rather die than marry him. She tried her best to think of a way out of this but her brain just wouldn’t function. It was clouded by the thought of James being tortured by Jax, of James being gone, of Jax raping her, of the child