Hidden Talents

Are you so weak?”
    “Shut up,” Kincaid hissed. “ Shut up . I'm not weak, damn you. And I'm going to prove it.”
    “She isn't here.”
    “I know that, bitch. I've already searched the place. I came here after I left her cabin. I thought you might be the one who was hiding her. Where is she?”
    “I don't know.” Serenity managed to touch the chain at her throat where it dangled beneath the rope of silk. She could feel the shape of the griffin against her skin.
    “You know where she is. A small town like this, everyone knows what's going on. Tell me where she is or I'll choke the life out of you.” Kincaid tightened the scarf.
    Step into another place where you can think clearly .
    “Hang on, this really isn't any of my business,” Serenity whispered. “This is between the two of you.”
    “Yes, it is between the two of us. You should never have gotten involved.”
    “Look, if you'll promise to get out of here right now, I'll tell you where she's hiding.”
    “Where is she?” Kincaid drew the scarf a little tighter.
    “There's a path,” Serenity gasped. “It starts behind this cabin and goes up through the forest. You can't miss it if you use a flashlight. Just keep going uphill. There's a special place up there. A safe place.”
    “There is no safe place for Marion,” the man crooned triumphantly. “Or for you, bitch. You tried to help her, didn't you? I'll bet you're the one who talked her into hiding from me.”
    “Let me go.” Serenity had the griffin in her hand.
    “I don't think so, bitch. I've got to teach you a lesson, too.” He twisted his hands more firmly around the ends of the scarf.
    In a situation like that, you only get one chance. Do it right. Don't pull your punches. Go for the eyes, if you can. Even if you miss, you'll make him lose his concentration for a few seconds .
    Serenity jerked the griffin hard. The delicate chain snapped, leaving the pendant in her hand. She took a quick step backward and came up hard against Kincaid's body. He grunted in surprise.
    Before he could recover, Serenity reached up behind her head and clawed wildly at his face with the metal griffin. She felt the sharp edge of one wing rip soft skin. She raked downward with all her strength.
    Kincaid gave a muffled yelp of pain and anger. His grip on the scarf slackened for an instant as he tried to jerk his face out of reach.
    It was all the time Serenity needed. She whirled around and lashed out at his left kneecap with the heel of her right foot.
    Kincaid yelped and fell backward, scrabbling for his balance. Serenity knew better than to wait around to see if he was out of commission. You don't want to get stupid about things at that point. First chance you get, you run .
    Serenity leaped for the door. Behind her a stack of books tumbled off a table and hit the floor as Kincaid staggered to his feet.
    “Goddamn you, bitch. I'll kill you. And then I'll kill her.”
    Serenity got the front door open. “ Caleb !” she screamed. She dashed across the porch, down the steps and into the fog. “ Blade ! He's here!”
    She was aware that Kincaid was not pursuing her, but she didn't stop running. She kept going, straight into the mist.
    “Caleb? Where are you? Hurry. Please, hurry.”
    The dogs found her first. Blinded by the darkness and the fog, Serenity stumbled over Styx before she realized he was directly in front of her. She fell. Styx stood over her and nuzzled her face. Charon came up and looked down at her with obvious canine concern.
    “Serenity?” Caleb's voice was fierce. A beam of light sliced through the fog. “Where the hell are you?”
    “Over here.” She gently pushed Styx and Charon aside and got to her feet. She was trembling.
    “Are you all right?” Caleb strode swiftly toward her through the mist, an eerie, faceless figure in the reflected glow cast by the flashlight and the moon.
    Serenity ran forward and threw herself into his arms. “I was so scared,” she said into his coat. “I've never been so scared in my life.”
    “What happened?” His arms closed protectively around her.
    “He was there, inside the cottage, waiting for me.”
    “Kincaid?”
    “Yes.”
    His arms tightened around her. “The bastard.”
    “He tried to kill me. He put a scarf around my neck.”
    “Jesus,” Caleb groaned.
    “I got away.” Serenity raised her head so quickly she collided with Caleb's jaw. “We've got to find him. I didn't get a chance to warn Zone and Ariadne. We've got