Clearly her faither dinnae like her. That may explain why she chose to be so far from the fire. She is unused to company.
Jude twisted his head a bit and glanced over his son’s sleeping body. Straining his eyes, he tried to make out a body in the shadows. The dim orange glow of the coals didn’t help to illuminate the shadows, if anything they spread out the darkness, making it nigh impossible to see the girl.
Instantly, Jude shot up. Hugh moaned as Jude’s grip around the boy tightened. Carefully, Jude released his arm from his son and sat up straighter. His heart sank into his gut as he leaned forward trying to see through the shadows.
Where is she?
“Faither,” Hugh moaned.
“Sorry,” Jude whispered into his son’s ear. “Go back to sleep. We’ll be leavin’ soon enough.”
Or as soon as I find the girl. Where could she have run off to? There’s nothin’ out here.
A part of him wanted nothing more than to curl back around Hugh and close his eyes, but he knew there was no way a girl like Cleopatra would survive the night. Carefully, he peeled himself apart from Hugh and rose to his feet. Treading lightly, he tiptoed over his band of men and stepped to the opening of the cave.
Darkness was all that he could see. The rain came from the west and shrouded what the darkness didn’t consume. He glanced over his shoulder and moved back to the fire. His heart jumped as his fingers reached out to find the last remaining branch Ronan had found before the rain came down.
Stirring the coals, Jude rolled the stick into the fire until it sparked. Orange light flooded the cave causing his men to roll away from the intruding light. Ever so lightly, he walked back to the opening. With the torch in hand, he stepped out into the darkness.
Where could she have gone?
Jude walked slowly through the rain holding the torch up. In the distance he heard a scream. Unsure if it was the wind howling over the moors, he craned his neck as his ears perked. The low howl drifted over the fields once again. It was high pitch and caused his blood to run cold.
“Cleopatra!” Jude shouted as his voice was drowned out by the storm that raged on. He pushed through the tall grass, tossing aside all that got in his way. His mind raced as different scenarios played out.
What has she gotten herself into? What if I’m too late?
Pulling the small dagger from the strap around his ankle, he rushed to the riverbank. Four sets of eyes flashed his way as the low growl rose from the river. His heart stopped as he held the torch out before him.
A few feet away, he spied Cleopatra cowering against the rocks. The rain had soaked her to the bone causing her golden hair to stick to her face. It was the wildness and determination in her eyes to live that caught him by surprise. She held a rock in her hand and tossed it at the three wild dogs that had her surrounded.
“Hold on, lass,” Jude called as he rushed to her aide. Waving the torch out before him like a sword, he challenged the beasts to come to him. With his hand stretched out, he beckoned Cleopatra to come to him too. She rose to her feet, only to slip back down to the rocks.
“Get up,” Jude screamed as one of the dogs charged him. Slicing the air in front of him, Jude cut through the dog. It let out a long agonizing howl before scampering back. By the bones peeking through its skin, Jude knew the beast wouldn’t back down. It was far too hungry to let up.
“Cleo, ye must get up,” Jude said.
“It’s my leg, they bit it,” she said.
Jude’s eyes shifted her calf. The red liquid stained the hem of her dress.
“Can ye nae get up?” he asked as he inched closer to her. She tried again and stumbled forward. Jude waved the torch as he caught her. Cleopatra whipped her head to the right and snagged the dagger out of Jude’s hand.
Jude gasped as one of the dog’s teeth clamped down inches from his neck. With wide eyes he looked at Cleopatra. Her face was hard as stone, and her aim was true as she struck the animal. She pulled her arm back as the beast fell.
“Get up,” Jude ordered waving the flames before him as Cleopatra wrapped her arm around his neck and held onto him for dear life. The wild dogs whimpered and whined as they took off running down the river.
“Hold the torch,” he said as she limped beside him. Cleopatra handed him back the dagger and grabbed the torch from his grasp.
“How did ye learn to manage a dagger?” Jude asked as he hoisted Cleopatra up into his arms. She winced from the pain as she held the torch out before them.
“When no one knows where you are or what you are doing, you can pick up a great many things,” she said.
Jude was expecting the events of the evening to cause her to crumble. He was expecting the tears to flow as he carried her back to the cave. Yet they did not. As they reached the opening, he paused and set her down.
“What were ye thinkin’ goin’ alone like that?” he hissed.
“You think I’m supposed to be fine with you stealing me away from my family and my home? I do not think so. I belong with my father.”
“Nay, ye belong to me until I ken what to do with ye.” Jude arched an eyebrow as he glared at her. She hopped alongside him using him as
