‘Ah, Mama and Papa have decided to show up,’ Finn said with a smile. ‘You’d better tell them to back off before this one gets it.’ Finn shook Shadow again, who whimpered. The sight of the tiny pup at Finn’s mercy was breaking my heart.
I held out a hand to stop Hawthorne and Emilija. ‘Don’t move,’ I told them. ‘He has a weapon.’
The two adult Vulmessians stopped on either side of me, a low rumbling issuing from them.
‘Please, don’t hurt him,’ I begged. ‘I’ll do anything.’
‘Anything?’ asked Finn. ‘Excellent. Well, first you’re going to hand over those other … things. Whatever they are, hand those two over.’ He pointed the dagger in the direction of Willow and Rue, who were now cowering behind their mother. Emilija let out a loud growl.
‘No!’ I said, panicked. ‘You can’t have them - you can’t have any of them!’
Finn pressed the point of the dagger against Shadow’s pink flesh and twisted it slightly. Shadow squealed, and flailed as droplets of blood rolled down his round belly.
‘No!’ I cried, stepping forward.
Finn pulled the dagger away. He had not done any lasting damage to Shadow; he’d only broken a few layers of skin. Still, the sight of red against white was enough to send my heart jumping into my throat. I couldn’t bear to see Hawthorne’s offspring in harm's way.
‘Stop,’ I croaked, my hand outstretched. ‘Please, let him go. I’ll go with you, and I’ll do whatever you say. Just don’t hurt him.’ Tears sprang to my eyes, and I wiped them away hastily.
‘You’d really sacrifice yourself for these mutts?’ asked Finn, nodding in Shadow’s direction.
I nodded, too scared for Shadow’s safety to speak.
Finn laughed. ‘Nice try. Your pets will attack me as soon as I let him go. It’s the only reason they haven’t torn me to shreds already.’
I glanced at Hawthorne, whose gaze did not waver from Finn. I could see in his eyes that he wanted nothing more than to sink his long teeth into Finn’s body, and Hawthorne was more than capable of decapitating a fully grown man; I’d seen him do it only a few months ago. He’d ripped a Mage's head clean off to protect me. Yet with the dagger so close to their son’s throat, neither Vulmessian dared to move an inch.
‘Besides,’ said Finn, looking at Shadow. ‘I reckon he’ll bring a better price than you, Fire-Mage.’
‘I’ll do anything you want,’ I said, desperately. I had nothing to offer Finn but myself.
Surely the ten thousand gold was enough? Most people would die for that amount of money.
‘I give you my word. They will not harm you. I swear it on my own life.’
‘You’re really swapping your own life for these creatures?’ asked Finn, disbelievingly.
I nodded fervently, hoping he would accept my offer.
‘Fine,’ said Finn. ‘If anyone but you makes a move, this mutt is getting skinned, got it?’
I exhaled with relief, my legs feeling like jelly.
‘Now, walk over to me,’ he said, pointing the dagger in my direction. ‘Slowly! No sudden movements.’
‘Drop the pup first,’ I said.
Finn laughed. ‘You’re in no position to make demands, Sweetheart.’
He was right, so I did as I was told. I walked to Finn, and when I was close enough, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his body, his forearm against my throat, holding me hostage.
‘Now let Shadow go,’ I wheezed due to the pressure on my throat.
‘In a minute,’ said Finn, who seemed to be enjoying himself greatly.
We walked backwards, away from Hawthorne, Emilija, and the pups. I couldn’t get out of Finn’s vice-like grip if I’d wanted to. He was so strong I worried I might suffocate before Shadow made it back to safety.
We retreated several meters into the trees until Hawthorne and Emilija were almost completely concealed by shrubbery.
‘Now will you let him go?’ I pressed.
Finn looked at Shadow carefully. ‘You know what? I might keep him – as insurance.’
‘What?’ I yelled. ‘You promised!’
‘I won’t hurt him. I’ll just hang on to him until I’m sure we’re safe. Now, turn around,’ Finn demanded, pulling a length of rope from his belt. I did as I was told and presented my wrists to Finn, but he laughed and told me to put my hands behind my back. ‘I thought ahead,’ he said. ‘Fire-proof rope.’
I scowled and muttered obscenities under my breath.
Finn tied the rope securely so the fibers rubbed painfully against my skin.
‘And now the feet,’ he said, dropping to his knees in front of me, and tucking Shadow under his arm. Finn began to tie my ankles, and I swayed on the spot, almost toppling over.
The sound of crunching leaves in the distance reached our ears, and Finn stood up immediately, looking around.
‘Who’s there?’ he said, eyes narrowed. Finn turned to me, glaring. ‘You said they wouldn’t follow.’
But the sound hadn’t come from the direction we’d left Hawthorne; it was further into the forest. Finn seemed to realize this too, for he was scanning the trees carefully.
‘Come out,’ he demanded.
‘It’s probably just a rabbit or … or a squirrel,’ I said.