Forbidden (The Seeker Saga, #2) by Sarah Swan Read Free Book Online Page A

quickly as you can.  And call everyone else!  They all need to be here.”
    Ashley obviously picked up on the concern in my voice, because her tone turned gravely serious.  “I’m in my room.  I’ll be right there.”
    I hung up the phone, and looked at Rob.  He was examining the man on the floor, but not touching him.  “We should sit him up somewhere,” he said.
    I looked around.    “Against the wall,” I said, looking in the direction.  Rob gave a curt nod, and grabbed the man’s shoulders to drag him over.  The gnash on his head has stopped bleeding, but it had stained the carpet.  I began contemplating how to get rid of the stain – and then I shook my head.  That was definitely the wrong thing to think about. 
    Rob didn’t ask for my help as he moved the man, and for that I was thankful.  I did not want to come closer to my attacker.
    I leaned against my desk, and noticed the white rag the man had used lying by my feet.  Hurriedly, I kicked it away, to where Rob was propping the man up.
    Rob noticed as it flew through the air.  “What is that?” he asked.
    “He put it over my mouth,” I explained.  “I think it was laced with something.”
    Carefully, Rob picked the rag up.  He brought it to his face, took a small whiff, and instantly recoiled.  “I recognize the smell.”
    “You do?  What is it?”
    “Chloroform.  It’s an anesthetic that knocks you out.  I’m surprised you’re still standing, if he had it over your mouth.  You breathe even a tiny drop of the fumes, and you’re out for a long time.  But…”
    “Yes?”
    “If the rag was laced with chloroform,” Rob said pensively, “that means the man wanted you knocked out.  He came here specifically for you, Tracy.”
    Suddenly, I heard the man stir.  His head, which was hanging down his chest, started to move, and his eyes flickered open groggily.  Without thinking, I leapt to snatch the cloth from Rob’s hand and pressed it tight against my attacker’s mouth.  The feel of his face beneath my hand was filthy, disgusting, and being so close to him was frightening.  Luckily, he didn’t realize what was happening, and it only took a few breaths for him to be knocked back out again.
    “What was that for?” Rob asked carefully.
    “To keep him quiet,” I replied.  I did not know what I would do if this man awoke with me in the room.  Maybe I was terrified he would somehow break free and try attacking me again.  Maybe I was scared he would scream and call attention to our room.  Whatever it was, I thought it best for him to remain unconscious.
    Just then, a cautious knock sounded on the door.  I spun around, heart caught in my throat.  Rob hefted the baseball bat.  He nodded for me to go against the wall, out of sight of the doorway.  I moved as silently as a hare slipping into the night. Rob approached the door.
    “Who is it?” he asked carefully.
    “Ashley!” came the reply from the other side. Hearing her voice, Rob visibly relaxed.  I did too.  He opened the door a crack and ushered her in.
    “Quickly,” he said.  “We don’t want anyone passing by to see.”
    “See what?” Ashley asked as she stepped in.  “What’s going—” she cut off with a sharp intake of air as her eyes landed on the man slouched against the wall.  Her eyes followed the small trail of blood from the man to the spot on the carpet by my desk, where Rob had hit him.  She took in the discarded pieces of cut up clothes littering the floor, and disorderly state of the room.  Finally, her eyes landed on me.  I saw that they were wide and scared.  “Oh my god, Tracy, !” she exclaimed. “What happened?”
    With a deep breath, I relayed events to her as best as I could remember.  When Ashley realized the man had come here for me , she ran across the room and wrapped her arms around my body with nearly as much strength as the attacker had used holding me down.  As soon as her hug hit me, I couldn’t stop