---- "One!" I finished the countdown, watching as she let go of Lavinia.


    I did the same with her daughter.


    Despite everything, I had intended to honor the exchange.


    I truly meant to return Alexia, at least for now.


    We would deal with the restter.


    Like in slow motion, I saw Lavinia move nimbly across the wooden nks, dust rising in the air with each step.


    The bridges sway made me nervous, the vines creaking under the strain.


    "Alexia, run, daughter! Come on!" she urged her child forward.


    And thenthe most critical moment.


    "Let Lavinia pass!" I yelled, already rushing forward.


    But she didnt move.


    suddenly, a terrible premonition struck me.


    "NOOO! LAVINIA!" I screamed in terror as my daughter ducked to slip between her legsonly for that damn woman to kick her with a force she had clearly been hiding.


    I felt the blood in my veins freeze solid as I watched Lavinia slip between the vines.


    She clung to the nks, screaming, dangling over the void.


    I lunged forward just in time, seeing her small hand losing its grip.


    The old board had snapped under her weight; the few remaining hemp ropes were giving way.


    Myrger hand seized hers with all ---- the strength I had left.


    "Hold on, sweetheart! Lavinia, dont move too much; Im going to pull you up! Grab onto Mommy with both hands, baby!" I shouted, watching her struggle, her fingers slipping from the sweat.


    She managed to sp both of her little hands around my wrist.


    But I wasnt exactly in a stable position myself.


    "ahh!" I cried out when a pair of booted heels dug viciously into my spine.


    Again and again, someone stomped on me, and I couldn''t stop it.


    "Leave her, Alexia! Lets run, damn it, run!" The kicking stopped, and I heard their footsteps retreating across the nks.


    It didnt matter that I was in excruciating pain or on the verge of passing out1 held onto that tiny hand with every ounce of my determination.


    arrrgh!" I pulled with all my strength.


    Suddenly, the bridge rocked violently.


    Noit couldnt be that they had reached the shore and were already trying to copse it! It was too soon! Even in my agony, I could feel Lavinias grip weakening, Her ssy eyes fluttered half-shut.


    "No, noLavinia, keep looking at me! Dont fall asleep, baby! Dont pass out!" ---- I kept pulling, harder and harder, but she was too heavy.


    She was barely cooperating now, her hands slipping from mine.


    Then, she lost consciousness, her body hanging limp in the air.


    Holding onto her was nearly impossible.


    Aaaahhh,e on!" I growled like a madwoman, panting, gasping.


    My feet scrambled against the nks; I tried to at least get on my knees for better leverage.


    Just when I thought my world was about to shatter, a powerful masculine hand shot past my head, grabbing Lavinias wrists and yanking her up with the strength needed to save her.


    She fell onto me with a dull thud, sitting on the worn-out nks, sobbing, clinging to me in sheer terror.


    "Elliot..." Through my tears, I called out his name, lifting my head to find him standing before memy Duke, my powerful werewolf, my anchor.