CELINE HERRERA POV

I expected Belshar to fall flat on his face, unconscious. Instead, he turned, totally steady on his feet, and snarled at me as he rubbed at the back of his head while I stood there clutching at the wood in my hand.

"That was a mistake, Celine" he rasped darkly, the dark intentions in his eyes glaring.

I panicked and swung back the wood, but he didn't wait for it to connect; he lunged at me, his hand hitting the wood out of my hand.

The branch flew out of my hands, ...