By Force Read Online Free PDF Page A

the croaker owls and the movement of their wings as they sliced through the air, fleeing. I could see every last bit of vegetation ahead of us, even under the semidark turbulent evening sky. I could easily differentiate the noises my body was making from my sister’s, and could hear the fainter noises at our rear as the savages closed in.
    We couldn’t outrun them. I knew what I had to do. It was now or never.
    “We have to…split up,” I told Lilley, through labored breaths. “It’s our only chance.” At least if we split up, I could lead them away from her. I didn’t care what happened to me as long she escaped them. The thought of them harming her scared me senseless and almost brought tears to my eyes.
    I tried to free my hand from Lilley’s, but she had me in a death grip.
    “No, Meme, no. Please,” she begged. “I’m scared.”
    “Everything…will be fine,” I said, trying to be strong for my sister. “Run for home as fast as you can. I won’t be far behind. I promise.” I had to lead them away, and then I had to lose them. It was the only way, though it was easier said than done. Reluctantly, she released my hand.
    I veered to the left, and ran for all I was worth, screaming loudly to gain their attention. They had to follow me and not Lilley. Branches snapped and cracked behind me and got progressively louder, but I did not turn. They were behind me. That was all that mattered. Without my sharp senses, I might have gotten lost. Instead, I knew where I was and had a general idea of where I was headed. The forest would soon end and unfold onto a rolling hill, and on it, I would be a sitting duck. So, I turned right, continuing along the edge of the forest. Now that they were following me, I had to lose them and find my way back to Lilley.
    Just when I thought I’d lost them, massive, rock-hard arms encircled my waist and knocked me to the ground. His moving body propelled me forward, forcing me to fall onto the earth. It felt like I’d smashed into a brick wall. Our forward-moving motion caused us to roll, each turn crushing me beneath him and effectively deflating my lungs.
    Our movement halted when my head and upper body collided with a tree. I gasped and whimpered, though I was not in pain. Not yet. Dark red blood trickled from my brow, catching in my lashes. Forcefully, he turned me onto my back. The savage—the one with dark hair—straddled my hips before leaning over and gripping my wrists, one in each hand, and pinning them to the ground. His tall, thick body seemed to engulf mine. I resisted the urge to struggle. I had no chance at gaining the advantage.
    We stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, though it was probably mere seconds. His ice-cold stare made me forget to breathe. I swallowed hard as his face inched closer to mine, and his stale breath on my skin made the hairs on my head prick up. Strands of his hair fell from his braids and lightly tickled my neck and face. I closed my eyes, preparing myself for what he would do next. Would he have his way with me? Would he kill me?
    “I’m going to get off of you now,” he said. His voice was deep and gritty but he sounded calm. He didn’t sound threatening, not in the least, but I couldn’t help but fear him. Everything I knew about them told me I should.
    I opened my eyes and stared at him, confused, as he shifted his weight off me and knelt at my side.
    “There is no point in fighting me. It will only end in you being injured.” He cocked his head to my brow and added, “Further.” I instinctively raised my hand to cover the gash.
    “My sister,” I said between heaving desperate breaths. She had to be OK. She just had to be.
    “She is of no interest. The men will not follow her, provided you come quietly. Not doing so will have consequences and, to be perfectly honest, I have a lot of blood on my hands already.”
    My eyes widened.
    “I would rather not add a little girl to the tally,” he added.
    My gut