The moment Nikko's blurry vision cleared and she looked up at the figure standing over her, her heart seized in her chest.
Her instincts screamed, Run! Her breath caught, and she bolted upright, trying to throw herself off the bridge again.
But she barely got a step in before strong arms wrapped around her waist, locking her in place like steel chains.
"You're not going anywhere," the voice growled, low and familiar.
She thrashed against him, kicking, elbowing, trying anything to break free, but he was stronger. Much stronger. With a grim expression, he shifted his grip, one hand coiled around her throat, cutting off her breath. Her eyes widened in panic as the world around her started to fade, the moon above smudging into haze, the wind into silence. The pressure on her neck intensified.
Then, darkness.
****
When Nikko awoke, it was to the chilling scent of blood.
