Liana remained still and waited to see who it was. The figure tapped on her window, and she almost jumped out of her skin.
A woman’s muffled voice could be heard. “Hey! Are you okay in there?”
Liana fumbled with the door, trying to get it to open. She finally got it to open a half an inch. The howling of the wind increased.
“Yes, I’m here,” Liana shouted.
It was then Liana’s gaze landed on her rescuer. She was tall with a strong jawline, dark hair that was plastered along her head. Snow clung to her thick eyelashes. Her eyes, amber and intense, flicked to the wound on Liana’s head.
“You’re injured.” Her voice was low, husky, as if she’d been yelling for hours. “Can you walk?”
“I’m not sure. My ankle is killing me. I think it twisted somehow when I hit the bank,” Liana said. She winced as she tried to turn to face her.
Liana’s rescuer opened the door wider and peered in the car. Her penetrating gaze swept over Liana before narrowing on her. She sniffed once before her nostrils flared.
The woman was a shifter.
There was no question about it.
“My name is Eddie,” the woman said. She shouldered the door open and stood near theopening. The gesture blocked the wind and air from blowing directly on Liana.
“I’m Liana,” she replied. Liana’s gaze swept over her, and she immediately sensed she would be safe with Eddie.
“My cabin is about a quarter mile north from here. You’re lucky I head your crash. The woods are too dangerous for a human to sit out here alone,” Eddie announced.
Yes, definitely a shifter.
“Something flew across the road. I was trying to avoid hitting it, and that’s how I’m in the damn ditch,” Liana said. The tremors in her body were overwhelming. Her teeth chattered. She had a winter coat on, but with the current temperatures, she might as well have had on a light jacket.
“It was probably a rogue wolf. They have been causing a lot of trouble up in these parts. Wintertime makes them desperate.” Eddie didn’t look too happy about the wolves.
Liana attempted to control her body, but the cold was seeping into her bones.
“We need to move. Now.” Eddie extended a gloved hand to Liana. She reached inside the car to help her.
Liana tried to shift her weight but cried out at a sharp pain just when she applied her weight to her foot. Liana fell back inside the car. Eddie’s reaction was instant. She crouched and slid her arm under Liana’s knees and back with surprising gentleness.
“Wait. I can do it,” Liana protested. She tried to push her away, but that was like trying to move a brick wall.
“You can’t,” Eddie said flatly. Her amber eyes practically glowed as she watched Liana. “Your ankle may be injured more than you think. Walking on this terrain will make it worse.”
“But—”
“It’s freezing. We don’t have time. After the storm blows over, I’ll come back for your things.”
Someone sure is bossy.
Before Liana could attempt to argue again, Eddie lifted her. Heat radiated from the woman in waves. Liana automatically leaned into her, welcoming the warmth. Her scent held faint woodsmoke, pine, and something wild. Liana’s cheeks grew hot; she realized she had rested her face into the crook of Eddie’s neck while she breathed in her scent.
How embarrassing.
Eddie probably thinks you’re a creep.
Eddie slammed the door shut and stepped away from the car. Snow swallowed them as it whipped sideways. It stung Liana’s exposed skin. The wind howled so loudly. It was like nothing she had ever heard.
Part scream. Part warning.
She tucked her face against Eddie’s shoulder.