Sven Thompson paced across the carpeted floor of his parlour. His second stood beside the roaring fireplace, his arm leaning against the mantle. "Sir, If I may be so bold, why not simply barge into their base and steal the girl from them? We have the men and the resources to do so-"
"Because that is exactly what he wants us to do. He expects us to run in and steal the girl. What we need to do, is get the girl to come to us." Sven stopped his pacing, his hand clenched in a fist under his chin. "And I have just the plan to do it."
Jo woke to Tanner's arms wrapped around her and her back pressed against his bare chest. His deep, even breaths told her that he was still asleep. After their lovemaking session yesterday in the library, it was no surprise that he was still sleeping. Jo brought her arms up to place them against Tanner's, snuggling in closer to him.
It won't hurt to get a few more minutes of sleep.
She closed her eyes and dreamt once again.
"Little bird...little bird. Where are you?"
Jo's eyes opened with a start. She wasn't in the room she shared with Tanner, nor was her mate anywhere in sight. Instead, she was laying amidst a field of wildflowers, wearing the same sheer silk robe as before. Just like last time... Her blood ran cold as realization dawned on her.
"Little bird...little bird. Why do you hide from me?"
That man from her dreams. Sven Thompson. Jo sat up quickly, but was pulled back down by an unfamiliar force against her wrists. Looking down, she noticed the shackles that bound her wrists together as well as the chain that lead to the stake keeping her in place. "There you are, little bird."
Forceful hands pressed themselves against her shoulders, pulling her body around to face him. Jo couldn't hide the fear in her eyes at his wicked grin and hungry gaze that roamed over her barely covered body. "Thought you could hide from me forever, didn't you?" Sven hauled her to her feet, the chain that bound her to the ground lengthening to the will of its master.
She stared up in fear at the man who haunted her; the man who wanted to claim her. "What do you want from me? Please, just let me go!" Tears welled in her eyes, threatening to fall at any moment. "Ah, well you see, I need you to do something for me first little bird." He reached into his pocket and produced a small black pill. Without any hesitation, he shoved the pill into her mouth, closing his hand over her lips so she had no other choice but to swallow it.
Slowly, the world began to darken around the edges in Jo's mind; her pupils dilating to accommodate to the darkness. She could feel her body shutting down as the pill worked itself into her system. No longer under her own control, her hands lifted up to cup Sven's face.
What? No! Don't do this!
She pleaded her body, to no avail.
