The Beast And The Blessed

Fifteen: Damien

Damien's P.O.V.

She was angry. Charlotte was glorious when she was angry.

Charlie. I kept having to remind myself that she was Charlie, not Charlotte. I didn't know who Charlotte was. The woman that was able to cause a stir in town just by being recognized was a mystery to me. I thought I had known a decent bit about her, but now I had no idea who she was again.

It all made sense why she avoided discussing her life before coming here to be a mercenary. Whatever her secret was, it had to be huge.

Realistically, I knew it was probably something simple like a noblewoman going rogue and wanting to live in the wild, but she would have to return eventually. It was an uncomplicated explanation, an easy one. Probably the right one.

Yet, my mind kept going to the worst-case scenario that just maybe she was on the run from something or someone. I wasn't sure why my mind kept returning to the idea of a man at home waiting for her, searching for her.

I was jealous. I was absolutely jealous of a man I had created in my head, and I had just stormed out of my house first thing in the morning to wake Charlie so we could finish our argument. I was ready to demand that we return to normal when I found Barley sitting on my front porch.

For such a big man, his ability to move and exist in complete silence made him deadly. I had either been so distracted by Charlie that I hadn't heard, smelled, or sensed him, or he had mastered the art of masking himself from living in the wild for so long.

It had taken me years to perfect it, but I only used it when I needed to.

' The girl she was and the woman she is today are too different people. Learn who she is now, don't let who she was forced to be in the past impact what you are and can have in the future." Barley got to his feet, slipping his hands in his pockets before walking past me and down the stairs. “I think you should come with us today. We're taking on a rock troll. You might have some fun and get to see a new side of Charlie. She is a fighter." i

He glanced at my garden as he walked past it, a slight smile on his face. "I see she hasn't killed any plants yet, but best to keep a watchful eye on her while she's in there. She told me stories about the plants she tried to keep alive as a kid. Said they killed themselves from how toxic the environment was, but I'm not so sure she didn't have a hand in it."

I had stood there for only a few seconds before giving up and following after him. It wasn't just because he was now the second man who really knew Charlie to tell me she was worth it and not to give up on her. It was also because I wanted to know her on the same level they did.... Well, on a higher level than they did.

They knew her mentally, but I wanted her brain and body. I could be very territorial over what was mine, and while I knew we weren't together yet, she sure felt like she was mine.

minus Neil, was marching through the forest at a brisk pace. Charlie was at the front, leading the pack, with fierce determination across her

momentarily remorseful before her anger returned. I hated that I caused it, even though I was still angry too, but it looked good

hips as she moved through the trees. Each time I met Charlie's fiery gaze, I imagined holding her

back until he was in line with me at the back of the pack. I hadn't intended to get involved. I just wanted to watch. As Barley had put it, I wanted to see another side to her, another piece of the puzzle that was

the feeling that this was a test, my chance

"No."

of their neck; think of it like where our brain stems connect to our spines. It's

just nodded and shrugged at me, like it was as easy as pulling a loose hair

head. They can throw rocks faster than you would believe and don't get close enough for it to touch you. One hit will pulverize every bone in your body. Charlie is the best climber out of

side. I slowed as I watched everyone do the same, crouching and preparing for battle with their weapons

It just didn't seem possible. It made sense

house in the middle of a clearing, and I grimaced as I pictured one of those being thrown at me.

A few were only

unease, and she signaled with her hand for me to stay back. I scoffed. Tough chance of that. If she thought I was

bracing myself as Charlie tore her green eyes from me. My head turned from side to side, waiting for the troll to make

to tower over us,

'whooped' from the side like he was watching a sporting event, and I felt every ounce

on the tree truck at my side to steady me. My eyes were locked on Charlie with horror as she lost her footing and her

The word slipped from my lips before I could stop it, and Charlie pushed herself up just as the troll turned to me. His

my way. I ran a few steps before diving to the side just as the bounder crashed into the tree trunk. The wood splintered as the giant stone went through it, only

to face him, his hand reforming as he prepared to

had gotten out of hand, like this

creatures were designed

uneven round that knocked the troll's equilibrium off. The creature shook his large