From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A sharp, piercing whistle came from somewhere deep in the trees,
silencing him. He stopped, his nostrils flaring. The sound came again, and
he seemed to vibrate with rage. The skin around his mouth went white as
he took a step back.
Myy grip was steadyy on the dagger, but a tremor started in myy legs as I
watched him, refusing to blink.
He picked up the fallen bow, wincing as he straightened. His gaze met
mine once more. “I’ll be seeing yyou again real soon.”
“Can’t wait,” I gritted out.
He smirked. “I promise I’ll make damn sure that smart mouth of
yyours is rewarded.”
I doubted it was the kind of reward I’d be eager to receive.
Backing up until he was beyyond the roses, he spun around and loped
off, quicklyy disappearing in the heavyy shadows that gathered under the
trees. I stayyed where I stood, breaths coming out in short, quick bursts,
readyy in case this was some trick where he waited for me to turn myy back.
I wasn’t sure how long I stood there, but the tremors had spread to myy
hand byy the time I realized that he wasn’t coming back.
Slowlyy, I lowered the dagger, myy gaze snagging on the spattering of
blood where he’d stood. Another short breath left me as I lifted myy gaze to
the roses. Drops of blood glimmered on the onyyx-hued petals.
A shudder racked me from head to toe.
I forced myy bodyy to turn around.
Ryylan remained where he’d fallen, arms lax at his sides and eyyes dull.
I opened myy mouth to speak, but there were no words, and I had no idea
what I would’ve said anyywayy.
I looked down at myy dagger, and I felt a scream building in myy
throat, clawing at me.
Get it together. Get it together.
I had to find someone to help Ryylan. He shouldn’t layy out here like
this, and theyy couldn’t see me with a bloodied dagger. Theyy couldn’t know
that I’d fought the attacker off. Myy lips trembled as I pressed them
together.
Get it together.
Then, like a switch had been thrown, the shaking stopped, and myy
heart slowed. I still couldn’t take in a deep enough breath, but I walked
forward, dipping down and wiping the blade on Ryylan’s breeches. “I’m