I was pulled from my thoughts when the young man named Asher hurried me down the crumbling stone steps and onto the darkened streets, smoke rising from the streetlamps that flickered every few feet. He looked back only once, cursing softly under his breath.

“We have to hurry. I think he might have spotted you. We have to find a place to take cover until we lose him.”

I stopped suddenly, forcing Asher to a stop as well. “I don’t want to lose him. I want to kill him.” I silently cursed the quaver in my voice.

“Yes, well, I’d say he’d probably like to kill you too.” He leaned in, his face mere inches from mine. I felt a blush heat my face, though I could not have said why. “And he’ll get the chance if you do not come with me right now.” He pulled me forward, grumbling. “We can debate your chances of killing him before he kills you once we’ve found a safe place to hide.”

His unwavering determination gave me pause. I wasn’t used to being strong-armed. Mother had once told Father that he was the only one who held sway over me, and I had been forced to admit on more than one occasion, if only in the privacy of my own thoughts, that I was not always agreeable.

But Asher did not seem intimidated by my stubbornness. His arm was strong on mine, and I had the sense that I could not escape him if I tried. It might have been frightening if not for the fact that he was so clearly trying to save my life.

Now, the knowledge of his strength held a secret thrill.

We passed two drunkards, singing loudly and off-key, and Asher pulled me into a dark alley, glancing around until his eyes settled on a pallet stacked high with wooden crates. As we made our way to it, I contemplated pointing out the obviousness of such a hiding place, but as soon as we stepped around it to the back, I knew why he’d chosen it.

“Here. It is far from perfect, but it will have to do.” His voice was quiet as he stepped into a deep door frame behind the pallet, tugging me back into the shadows, pulling my body to his.