Chapter 62

A cool draft from the pit stirred Sam’s hair. She shivered but it wasn’t the draft but the icy smile that slid across Alaina’s face. Sam waited, watching her eyes rather than the small gun she held. They seemed so dark and … hollow. What had happened to her?

“You’re thinking of a way to escape, Cousin. Don’t bother.”

She shook her head. “I was just wondering what happened to you to make you such a monster.”

The smiled faded. “You think you’re better than me? Just because you’re safe and snug in your little village and want for nothing that it makes you special?”

Surprise made her blink. “Where did you get your ideas about how I live? My parents were killed. I have to work and take care of a farm. No one gives me anything.”

“Turn around.”

She studied her a moment, weighing her options. “No.”

Alaina blinked this time and anger twisted her mouth into an ugly grimace. “I have no problem shooting you in the face. It will give me great pleasure to wipe the smug look off your face.”

“Then, do it.” Sam straightened her back and took three steps toward Alaina.

“STOP. Get back, close to the edge. I want you to fall into the pit. Saves me the effort of burying you.”

Sam’s stomach did a flip and twisted into a knot and her heart skipped a beat. Her feelings must have shown on her face because Alaina stepped forward, raising the gun slightly to insure she would not miss.

“Alaina, if you’re going to shoot me, get it over with. There’s no sense torturing me. If I must fall into that thing, I’d rather be dead first.”

For a moment, there was only the distant sound of rushing water and waves from far below. Sam wondered if the tide was coming in or going out. If it was going out, and she could survive the fall, she might be able to go out on the tide and swim ashore. Immediately, she discarded the thought as insane. There was no guarantee she’d survive the fall and if she did, there was no certainty that the underground water emptied into the sea. She could drown in a cavern miles underground.

“Turn around, Sam.” She moved toward her, still pointing the gun but using her other hand to gesture.

Sam remained facing her.

Alaina’s fury exploded. She rushed forward, her free hand extended to push Sam toward the yawning opening. Sam side stepped, catching her wrist and moving past her, jerking her around. Alaina tried to bring the pistol to bear but her foot slipped on the sandy rock floor and she stumbled.

As Alaina began to fall, Sam released her wrist. Alaina attempted to break her fall by extending both hands and regain her footing and by doing so, she dropped the gun. It clattered away. Sam watched as it slid to the brink of the pit. A small stone prevented it from falling in.

Alaina stood up, breathing heavily.

Sam swallowed, trying to get her own breath under control. “Let me go, Alaina. Don’t do this. You’ll never be able to live with it.”

The sound of her laughter bounced off the walls and echoed from the pit. “And you think I’m crazy.” She laughed again. At that point, she rushed at Sam.

Alaina’s fist caught Sam on the jaw and her teeth snapped together as she reeled backward. Alaina didn’t stop, she clutched Sam’s dress at the shoulder and began to drag her toward the hole in the floor. Sam jerked back, knocking the hand free. Again, she darted away.

In an instant, Alaina roared in rage and with both hands, caught Sam by the hair from behind and shook her. Sam, caught off guard by the intensity of the attack was shoved against the wall with no way to defend herself. Alaina slammed her head forward and a burst of stars blocked her vision as her head impacted the stone wall of the cave. The room tilted and the lights winked out as her knees gave way.