Free The Stars For Valentine’s Day (The Journeyman's Way) by Trinity Blacio Page B

blinds. For the past week, Shantel had had the feeling of being watched and not in a good way either. She always listened to her sixth sense, inherited from her mother. Lately, it had been screaming at her.
    Six o’clock in the morning. Shantel didn’t know why she’d gotten up so early, but something had her wide awake, giving her a chance to finish the hearts. In two hours she would be on her way to Copperhood Inn & Spa tucked in the Catskill Mountains. A week away from everything so she wouldn’t think how depressing her life had become since her mother died two years ago. Her best friend, Zandra, was the only light right now in her life.
    She walked around her one-bedroom apartment and took note of how empty it seemed.
    “Maybe it’s time for a move?” she mumbled.
    “Oh, you’re going to move, but I’m afraid it’s not where you’re thinking, human.” She jumped and spun around. Her heart seemed to be in her stomach and a chill ran up her spine.
    Standing in her living room was something out of anyone’s horror movie, but that wasn’t what had her gagging. She stumbled back, covering her mouth and nose with her nightshirt. “What the fuck are you and what is that stench?” Shantel shouted before she thought. Her mother always had said her mouth ran before her brain kicked in. Today was no different.
    The thing in front of her started to spit and snap. “You’ll pay for that. I’ll enjoy you seeing you burnt crispy. You do have a lot of extra meat.”
    “Meat!” Her brain finally focused as she raced for the door. But she didn’t get very far before some kind of rope wrapped around her ankle and yanked her leg out from under her. She slammed her face into the hardwood floor, the air knocked from her lungs.
    Her skin burned as the vine-like thing twisted up her body, tying her up like a calf in a roundup. Something foul, like a smelly rag, filled her mouth and kept her from screaming. When had that happened? Had she blacked out for a few seconds?
    She struggled, but the ropes holding her only tightened. That whole saying about her life flashing before her eyes rang true.
    She closed her eyes, tears squeezing out between the lids. There was no hope, she was going to die. Nobody would come to her rescue—she had no way to let anyone know she needed rescuing.
    She snapped her eyes open at a sharp pain in time for the monster to kick her in the side a second time, most likely breaking a rib or two. He pulled out a long, strange metal thing with a jagged edge and started to cut away her clothes, yanking them from under the ropes. In seconds, he had her naked. The rope seemed to tighten more and dig into her bare, vulnerable flesh. “I’ve heard human skin is a special treat,” it growled. “Maybe I’ll save some and share with my brother, but then again he never shared with me.”
    He pinched her skin until she swore he was going to rip the piece off her, when all of a sudden he released her and jumped up, facing away from her. What happened to distract it? It faced the door, but nobody was going to show up at this hour. The pain was so great, Shantel fought to stay conscious. If she passed out, she was a goner for sure.
    Once more, the thing sputtered and seemed to get pissed, casting quick glares toward her every few seconds. She held her breath, waiting for some kind of deathblow, but the thing continued to watch the door, and then suddenly vanished before her eyes. The front door burst open, and two of the biggest men she had ever seen stormed in. They searched her apartment, clutching strange objects as if they were weapons.
    As they moved closer, she noticed one actually had striped skin while the other had fangs protruding from his mouth. Yep, Shantel had to be dreaming or she was in some totally deep donkey doo doo here and not one person to help her.
    “He’s gone!” The striped one came to kneel next to her. “We don’t want to hurt you, but I’m afraid releasing you is going to cause