Hammer

8

“I don’t know who you think you are or what favor you think you’ve done for me, but you don’t get to act like I’m a piece of garbage, and you can fling me around however you’d like,” Charlie huffed.

Hammer stared at her. Even through the mud on her face, he could see her cheeks blushing with anger. He bit back a desire to smile at that trait.

He inhaled deeply. The scent of rosemary and cinnamon danced through the air. This was how she would smell for all time. He studied her face. The sharp lines of her cheeks were etching themselves into his soul. Her messy dark hair framed her face and gave it a heart-shaped quality.

Her pink lips were full. What would it feel like to have her mouth wrapped around his? Hammer cleared his throat but began to grow hard.

“No,” he said aloud more to himself, but forceful enough for his body to stop reacting and for Charlie to balk.

“What?” she snapped. “That doesn’t even make sense.”

Hammer made himself as large as he could to shake off the desire his body was collecting. “I said no.” He stepped up to her so close that Charlie had to crane her head back to look at him.

To her credit, Charlie did not step back.

He felt the sizzle of her on his skin. Hammer used the sensation and poured that energy into his voice, making it strong, deep, and angry. “You will not stop to do this.” His breath was so cold, he could see it brush the side of Charlie’s cheek. “There will be no fits. There will be no yelling. We are in very real danger. End of life kind of shit.”

Hammer lowered his face down close to Charlie’s. He meant intimidation, but again, his body reacted to her. “We keep going. You will keep up. You will keep quiet. Do you want to live? Those are the rules.”

Charlie blinked at Hammer. She glared at him, but something else was underneath that rage. He wondered if she felt what he felt … could humans feel the mating connection? He thought he had a flash of it beneath her ire, but he didn’t want to involve himself with that thought.

“You are a package. I will deliver you alive. Got it?”

Charlie looked like she wanted to argue more. Questions, quips, and comebacks blazed through her eyes, but she took a step back and nodded.

“Let’s go. Now,” Hammer said, pushing into her and walking past her. He didn’t grab her hand this time. It was too dangerous for him to touch her again.

He wasn’t sure what would happen if he did.

A few hours later, Charlie was shivering to the point where she could barely walk. It was slowing them down. He took a sharp right. There was a town just ahead. He could find food and lodging and get into clean, dry clothes.

Because they were closer to a populated area, Hammer knew they would have to be more careful. When he came to a large stone, he yanked Charlie’s arm, touching the coat fabric, and pulled her into a crouching position.

“Stay here. I hear something and want to check things out.” Hammer stood and walked around the road. He sensed her shaking. He wanted to pick her up and keep her warm with his body heat, but that would do neither of them any good.

Although he hadn’t heard anything, his vision was much better, and as far as he could see, no one was coming.

Hammer motioned for Charlie to come from her hiding place. When she did, she slipped her hand into his. Hammer flinched.

“I’m not going to be able to keep going much longer. I’ll need some support.”

Hammer gritted his teeth. “There’s a town up ahead. We’re going to rest for the night. Let’s go.”

Charlie slumped against him. Hammer let her hand go and had to throw his arm around her shoulders to help Charlie walk. Magic prickled as he pushed a small amount of heat out from himself to keep her from frostbite. At least, that’s what he reasoned himself with.

When they got to the town, Hammer looked around. It had once been so familiar. Ten years inside a prison changed so many things. The town was thriving once, now mostly deserted. Windows were shattered, and boards were falling off the sides of some of the buildings. It looked like life had vanished from the town.

Hammer wasn’t surprised with it being in the southern region. He had heard stories while he was in prison. The people in charge … Ajmal’s people … raped everything they could for power. “Come on. I know a place,” Hammer muttered to Charlie.

At least, he hoped it was still open.

As they turned the corner down one street in the center of town, Hammer saw the inn that an old friend owned.

His eyes raked over the red building, it looked dilapidated and closed, but the small emerald light in the front window was Hammer’s sign that they were still open. Mostly to seedier people, but it would work for what they wanted.

“Stay behind me,” Hammer ordered Charlie as they walked through the door.

The manager was surprised to see Hammer but didn’t chat very much. Charlie did try to peek her head out from behind, but Hammer pushed her back.

They got a key and walked into the room without another word.

“Go take a shower. You stink,” Hammer said, and he threw a towel at her. “They’re sending clothes up for you to change into.”

Charlie didn’t look offended. In fact, she looked like she was amused by his statement. Instead of saying anything, she went into the shower, and Hammer heard the water turn on.

He grimaced at the thought of her wet and naked and shook the idea away.

Soon, a knock had him springing off the bed.

When Hammer opened the door, a young man lifted up a tray with something steaming that resembled food. He sniffed at it. Couldn’t smell any poison. He placed the tray and took the bag out of the kid’s hands.