murky voices of people crying

ront of Silvana, crushing the wire link fence beside her. Lightning hammered mere feet from Silvana, sending her flying in an explosion of dirt and fire. For a second, she had felt as though

eeply on her abdomen, and

ating. Every breath was like needles in her lungs, and she watched

s everybody l

irt. "Oh my god," Silvan

die," she cr

ack and hyperventilat

f a giant, bearded man, a woodcutter's axe slung over his shoulder. His body sparked with the crimson lightning and although he

her father had sealed away years ago. But her father's magic was

he was in all

e she'd even fallen in love, Silvana clawed at the burnt grass, scre

lless sockets for eyes. With both hands he raised

ut with a ferocious snarl and too fast to see com

asn't sure what she was seeing. Had she h

il spirit. With each strike surges of red sparks shot out from the Axeman, and the w

near her two biggest enemies, an evil d

sh her off, the ot

two trading blows, and to the were

*

, manly voice said to Silvana.

m the big bed she was laying in. Sharp pains filled her stomach, her shirt had

rutey man had

ir sat above his clear blue eyes, and his alluring, clean-shaven face had fine, prominent fe

and allowed him

e as his big fingers grazed the skin by her breasts as he pulled her shirt open and examined the second deep wound on her chest, this o

rge hand to the side of her head, his

he said. "You're a fighte

on his lap, and Silvana felt comforte

ld her, "This will help with the pain," before dabbing a cotton

cohol, but was grateful to be in the care

inger to Silvana's chin and guided her eyes so t

ok. It'll be over

he side of the sheets, watching the fan blades turn. Occasionally, he

na said each time

He snipped the final part of the st

eks warmed. "

f and said, "Silvana

der web of cracks. "Your father was worried and cal

under her head for support. Silvana shook her

the red slashes on his back and shoulder, as if he too had been attacked, though not as ba

worry about," Bruce said,

h sharp. "Were you at the carnival? Did you s

the baggy one. He buttoned it for her, his lips so close to hers they were nea