to the side. I vaguely noticed it was no longer raining.
He arched a coal-black brow. "Yes, it's me." Dazed, I glanced down where he was holding my wrist. It wasn't throbbing any longer but his touch was doing something else. I jerked my arm back, confused.
"I can help you," he insisted, reaching for me again.
"No!" I shrieked and it hurt.
He hovered a moment longer and then straightened, his eyes glancing down at my wrist. "Whatever. I'll call the police." I tried not to listen to him as he spoke to the police on the phone. Eventually, I was able to catch my breath. "Thank...you." My voice was hoarse, and it hurt to speak.
"Don't thank me." He dragged his fingers through his hair. "Dammit, this is my fault." How was this his fault? My brain wasn't working correctly yet, because that didn't make much sense. I leaned back carefully and peered up - way up - and I immediately wished I hadn't. He looked fierce. And protective.
"See something you like, Kitten?" I dropped my gaze...to his clenched hands.
His knuckles weren't even scratched. "Light - I saw light."
"Well, they do say there is light at the end of the tunnel."
I shrank away from the reminder I'd almost died tonight.
Daemon crouched down. "Dammit, I'm sorry. That was thoughtless. How bad are you hurt?"
"My throat...It hurts." I touched it gently and winced. "So does my wrist. I'm not...sure if it's broken." I lifted my arm gingerly. It was swollen and already turning an attractive shade of blue and violet. "But there was a flash...of light." He studied my arm. "It might be broken or sprained. Is that all?"
"All? The man...he was trying to kill me." His eyes narrowed. "I understand that. I was hoping he didn't break anything important." He stopped for a second, thinking. "Like your skull?"
"No...I don't think so."
He let out a breath. "Okay, okay." He stood and looked around. "Why were you out here anyway?"
"I ...wanted to go to the library." I had to stop till the rawness in my throat subsided. "It wasn't that...late. It's not...like we are in a crime-ridden...city. He said he needed help...flat tire."
His eyes were wide with disbelief. "A stranger approaches you for help in a dark parking lot and you go and help him? That has to be one of the most careless things I've heard in a long time." He crossed his arms and stared down at me. "I bet you think things through, right? Accept candy from strangers and get into vans with a sign that reads free Kittens?" I gasped.
He began to pace. "Sorry wouldn't have been helpful if I didn't come, now would it?" I ignored the last statement. "So why were...you out here?" My throat was finally feeling slightly better. It still hurt like a bitch, but at least every word wasn't like being pulled across concrete.
Daemon stopped pacing and ran a hand over his chest, above his heart. "I just was."
"Geez, I thought you guys were supposed to be nice and charming."
He frowned. "What guys?"
"You know, the knight in shining armor and saving the damsel in distress kind." I stopped at that point. I must've hit my head.
"I'm not your knight."
"Okay..." I whispered. I slowly pulled my legs up and rested my head on my knees.
Everything hurt, but not as bad as it did when that man had his hands around my throat. I shivered at the thought. "Where is he now?"
"He took off. Long gone by now," Daemon assured. "Kat...?"
I lifted my head. His hulking frame loomed over me as he stared at me. His gaze was unnerving, piercing. I didn't know what to say. I didn't like how Daemon's body cast a shadow from the moonlight, and I made a move to try and stand.
"I don't think you should stand." He kneeled again. "The ambulance and police should be here any minute. I don't want you passing out."
"I'm not going...to pass out," I denied, finally hearing the sirens.
"I don't want to have to catch you if you do." He examined his knuckles for a few moments. "Did ...did he say anything to you?" I wanted to swallow so badly, but it hurt too much. "He said...I had a trace on me. And he kept asking...where they were. I don't know why."
He hurriedly looked away, drawing a sharp breath. "He sounds like a lunatic."
"Yeah, but...who did he want?"
Daemon turned back to me, a deep scowl on his face. "A girl stupid enough to help a homicidal maniac with