Chapter 28

Ibarreled out from the trees just in time to hear the sickening crack of Graham’s body hitting the stone walkway down below.

Clarabelle was screaming frantically, running toward the precipice, damn near ready to toss herself over to attempt a rescue, but I was faster.

With all of my might, I pulled my arm back and smacked the stone against the base of her skull, sending her crumpling to her knees.

Elijah lurched forward and caught her before she tumbled over the edge, then tossed her onto her back.

“I don’t think he’s dead, Mais,” he reported.

“I can do it,” I assured him as I walked toward the edge, then lowered myself over the side.

“Be careful!” Elijah called out frantically.

I didn’t regard him as I concentrated on scaling down. I had done this exact same thing so many times, in my hopes of escaping home, but somehow I always managed to convince myself to stay.

Hoping that the promise he made of coming back for me would come true one day, like it did.

The roots that hung on the side of the cliff ripped little cuts into my hands. The sharp rocks that poked through the dirt made the climb down difficult, but not enough to stop me.

I moved slowly and steadily.

I was meticulous in picking my way down, taking as much note of the route as I could so that I would be able to follow it on my way back up.

Once I was close enough to the ground, I let go and dropped down safely. Glancing around, I wondered what the hell I could use to put him out of the misery he was nowhere near over. It seemed that Graham had only broken his legs when he fell, but letting him live wasn’t an option.

I knew it.

Elijah knew it.

And I think he knew it too.

“Maisie … I need help,” he sputtered helplessly.

It was as useless a plea as I’m sure he expected. Especially since I was busy trying to find something suitable to use.

If it were just me, I wouldn’t have cared. I would have walked away and let him live his life as crippled as I hoped the fall rendered him, but I refused to let anything happen to Elijah.

Not now.

Not ever again.