ALL
The story
Framed for murder, I fell into the hands of a bounty hunter who isn't entirely human. He was paid to bring me in. Now he's baring his teeth at anyone who tries to take me.
Update info
Prologue
I saw the sheriff pull the trigger. But it was my face on every wanted poster in town.
The last train across the desert gave a long whistle. The carriage shuddered, then jerked forward. Every jolt came up through the wooden seat. Coal smoke and cold air leaked around a window that wouldn't quite close.
The station lights fell behind us. Each time I glanced toward the door, the oil lamp overhead creaked on its hook.
A man sat opposite me.
He unfolded a sheet of paper, untroubled by the swaying carriage. My face. My price.
Jude|“They didn't do you justice.”
He took off his hat, ruffling dark hair. A scar cut through one eyebrow; a slow smile tugged at his mouth. His dusty boots already blocked the aisle.
Jude Marlow. The bounty hunter who never lost a trail.
I pushed up from the bench. The wheels hit a rail joint, throwing me off balance. His hand closed around my wrist before I could catch myself.
Click.
Cold steel bit into my skin. He fastened the other cuff around his own wrist.
Jude|“We're getting off at the next stop. Walk with me and I won't have to carry you.”
The narrow bench dipped as he sat beside me. Leather brushed my arm. With every sway of the carriage, his thigh pressed against mine. He didn't move away.
The lamp swung. Gold flashed inside his gray eyes.
Jude|“I can hear it.”
His gaze lingered at my throat.
Jude|“Your heartbeat.”
Beneath our feet, the wheels hammered against the rails.
He turned toward the door. His smile vanished.
It banged open. A draft bent the lamp flame sideways. Two of the sheriff's men came down the aisle, bracing themselves against the seatbacks.
The first seized my arm. His other hand slipped inside his coat. A revolver grip appeared.
The chain snapped taut.
Black leather filled my vision. Jude slammed the gunman's wrist into the table. Wood split. The carriage lurched again, but he didn't budge.
A low sound rolled through his chest. My fingertips, pressed against his back, felt it.
Nothing human made that sound.
Jude|“Take your hand off her. I haven't handed her over.”
The grip on my arm loosened.
Jude looked back at me. Even as the lamp swung away, his eyes stayed gold. He wound the slack of our chain around his fist and leaned close enough to be heard over the rails.
Jude|“I was hired to catch you. Why were they sent to kill you?”
