Chapter 32 Torin
TORIN
Ientered the paddock, commandin’ the horses tae gather in one place, but Trì and Dà seemed spooked and followed the fence tae the back of the yard.
“Och, ye ought tae listen.” I tossed saddles and tack intae a pile.
My plan was tae stand on it, wrappin’ the straps around m’leg.
I would hold ontae the horses around their necks — but it came tae me that I would need reins on the horses.
Lambo ran in a circle.
I dinna hae time tae harness them. I yanked a roll of rope from the wall, plannin’ tae lash them taegether.
I knotted it intae a loop, the horses were unlikely tae allow it, but I would try.
I lifted my eyes tae scan the dusky, shadowy landscape, once more, where was Dude?
I called, “Dude! Come boy!”
I pulled the ropes tighter, feelin’ a cold shadow cross over me, a chill. My hair raised. I glanced behind me at the woods, was someone there?
I heard a crashin’ sound come from the house. “Alexandria!” I crossed the paddock and jumped the fence.
The front door slammed, pullin’ me tae a stop.
There was a man on the porch.
I raised my gun — a group of men were dragging Alexandria between them. Then, before I could shoot, there was a blast of white light, hot as lightning, and something burst apart, the force of it liftin’ me from the ground.
I was thrown back, crashin’ tae the earth in total blackness. I had nothing but snow in my eyes and a scream in my ears. Och nae.