"I... I did some investigating," Michelle stammered, drawing Sera's attention again. "I called your old high school and got in touch with your parents. At first, no one would tell me anything. But, a couple of weeks ago I got ahold of one of your yearbooks, and I managed to get in touch with someone from your class..."
Michelle's voice broke off.
"Who?" Sera asked.
"Lisa Evans."
Sera closed her eyes against the wave of sorrow crashing through her. Lisa had been her best friend, and it was Lisa's party they were at that night. Lisa saw her leave with Jacob. She never said a word, and she had been one of the first to accuse Sera of lying. Betrayal, fresh and new, tore through her, wrung tears from her eyes, and shook her body.
Liam turned his head to gaze at Sera. Tears slid down her pale cheeks. She looked so small, vulnerable, lost, and hurt. The impotence he felt caused his hands to clench on the rail. It took everything he had not to rip Michelle's throat out. A gasp escaped Michelle as she gazed at him in wide-eyed alarm. Her body began to tremble.
"Please don't kill me," she whispered pleadingly. "Please."
Liam closed his eyes and took a deep breath. There was enough blood on his hands tonight, and no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't kill her. Not with Sera there. She would not see that side of him. As far as he was concerned, she would never know it existed.
"What did Lisa say?" Sera asked.
Michelle nervously licked her lips as she stared at Liam. Her heart raced so fast he could see it leaping in her throat.
"Answer her," he grated.
Michelle jumped and blurted a response. "She told me you accused Jacob of trying to rape you, and that it was a lie. She said once everyone learned about the lie, you took off to live with your grandmother, and no one heard from you again. She put me in touch with one of Jacob's friends, who gave me his number."
"So you called him?"
"Yes."
"You told him where I was. You told him about Liam and I. Why would you do that?"
The betrayal in Sera's voice ripped through Liam. His hands clenched so firmly on the wood he was sure he would tear it free. Michelle's eyes flitted back to him. She swallowed convulsively as she tried to find the words to speak.
"She said it was a lie. He said it was a lie. I thought he should confront you on it. Make you face up to your lies."
"I didn't lie!" Sera yelled.
Michelle jumped again; she glanced hopefully at Mike. Liam's temper was coming to a dangerous boiling point. Michelle was suffused in a reddish haze. If he didn't get away from her soon, he would kill her.
"I know that now," she whispered. Her head bent as sobs racked her body. "Please don't kill me, I'm sorry. I am sorry."
"No one's going to kill you," Sera assured her.
She wasn't so sure no one was going to kill her though. Jacob was dead. Liam had killed him. The deadly look on his face, and the wrath emanating from him, sent a shiver of alarm down her spine. She didn't know this man before her; she reminded herself. She had no idea what this man was capable of doing. And right now, he seemed fully capable of anything.
"Please," Michelle whimpered.
"Why?" Liam demanded. His voice was a whiplash of malice that sent waves of alarm crashing through Sera.
"I just thought... I just thought if you saw what a liar she was you wouldn't want her anymore. I didn't know it was true! I swear I didn't!"
"That makes it all right?" he hissed.
"Liam," Sera whispered.
For a moment, her words didn't penetrate the killing frenzy enshrouding him. Then, Sera touched his arm. He turned to her, his eyes spitting fury, as a snarl curved his mouth. Her hand fell away as she took a trembling step back. Mike stepped in between her and Liam. The utter terror suffusing Sera's face finally penetrated through to him.
Sera's heart hammered. For a second, Liam's eyes had been a blood red that sent instinctive terror ripping through her. She was tempted to turn and flee from what she glimpsed in him. What was he? Tremors racked her body, adrenaline raced through her, but her legs refused to move.
She knew what she’d seen, what she’d glimpsed, and yet her heart and soul, would not allow her to run from him. She loved him, no matter what, but right now she was utterly petrified of him. She glanced at Mike, but he must not have seen it. Otherwise, he would have fled by now. Wouldn't he?
She glanced back at Liam. His eyes seemed to clear, and the coldness left them as he gazed at her. His body sagged as he shoved himself away from the banister. "Get out of here!" he spat at Michelle.
Michelle glanced at Sera but didn't stop as she lurched down the steps and ran into the woods. Sera's legs threatened to give out as she was left alone with Liam and Mike. Liam could do anything he wanted to her; he could kill her like he had Jacob. And yet, something inside her said he wouldn't. That no matter what, he wouldn't allow any harm to come to her. Plus, Mike was there, he would help her if she needed it.
Liam took a step toward her, but she held up a hand to stop him as she shook her head. "Are you all right?" he inquired.
"No."
"Let's get you out of here."
"No."
He stared at her in confusion and took another step toward her. Mike took a small step away; his eyes were watchful as he glanced between her and Liam. "What's wrong?"
Sera took a deep breath, her shoulders shook, but she was determined to
