Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
That’s when the smell came again.
Utter terror froze him for a moment before he grabbed his clothes. He didn’t take the time to put them on, just climbed through the window naked because he knew with everything in him that that thing was in the room. And just as his feet hit the ground, he heard a thump against the bathroom door.
Rowan didn’t give a shit who saw him as he ran naked to his car while he fished the keys out of the clothes in his hand. He looked over his shoulder to see the door to the motel room opening, and he didn’t wait around. He scrambled into his car and peeled out, tires screeching as he drove out of the parking lot fast.
Breaths heaving and his body shivering in the cold, he turned the heat on blast and just drove.
He didn’t pull over to get dressed until he was several miles away, and the whole time, he kept looking out the windows. Getting his pants on inside his small car was a real pain in the ass, but luckily no other cars were around. It was pretty late anyway.
His phone had dropped to the floor of the passenger side, so when it rang, he had to fish for it. Surprise went through him when he saw who was calling. His mother never called him.
“What’s wrong?” he answered, knowing it had to be really bad for her to break her husband’s rules.
“Rowan, are you okay? Did those bodyguards find you?”
“Bodyguards?”
“Two men came here and fought off this horrible creature that had bones showing through its skin. I can’t remember what they called it, but they were supposed to look for you because you have the arm ring that thing is after.”
“It’s after the arm ring?” He ran his fingers over his shirt where it covered the thin band of silver. “Why? It’s not worth anything.”
“I have no idea. Well, they said something about a treasure, but I was too upset to listen closely. Plus, they didn’t stick around long enough to explain. I told them where you worked so they could help you. I’ve been…worried.”
“That surprises me,” he muttered.
She was silent, and really, what could she say? She’d disowned him along with his father, and this was the first time they’d talked in over two years.
But now he knew his decision to go back and find those guys was the right one.
“Rowan? Did that thing come after you?”
“Yes, and it keeps coming after me. I’ve actually been on the run for days. Did they leave a card or something with their number?”
“No, but I remember they said they worked for a company out of Seattle called Protective Solutions. Maybe you could call there and get their contact information?”
A little bit of hope seeped into his heart. He just couldn’t go at this alone anymore, and he needed to know more. Sounded like these guys had answers. “Thanks, Mom. I’ve been at my wit’s end, so this helps a lot.”
“Just…stay safe.”
“I’m glad you called,” he said softly. “You better go before my father figures out you did.”
“He’s not home, so it’s okay. Take care, Rowan.”
She said goodbye, and Rowan glanced around outside the car before he looked up the number for Protective Solutions. He called, and the receptionist said she was putting him through to someone named Xavier.
Afraid to stay in one spot, he put the phone on speaker and started driving toward Canon Beach. The voice that came over the line was smooth and very deep.
“Rowan Forrest?”
“Yeah, you know who I am?”
“I do. I have two employees tearing apart the towns in your area looking for you. You’re in a lot of danger and would be much safer with them. Where are you?”
“Driving back home. I’ve been moving around but that thing keeps finding me. What is it?”
“It’s a draugr, a creature that was spelled to protect a treasure, and you have a part of that treasure. It will be relentless, will never stop coming after you, and Rowan, it will kill you. It has no other directive.”
“My mother told me it’s after the arm ring. What if I just leave it on the side of the road or something?”
“That could work, but it could still come after you. It would be better if you find my men and bring the ring here to Seattle. We have magical wards around the office, so the draugr can’t reach you here.”
“Okay. I’m willing to try anything at this point. I’m exhausted, and it just keeps coming.”
“As I said, it’s relentless. My men are currently back in Canon Beach, staying at the Holiday Inn—do you know where that is?”
“Yes. I’ll head there now.”
“Do not stop on the way. I’ll let them know you’re coming, and they’ll meet you in the parking lot.”