Chapter 4Crown of Thorns
About 1,061 characters (~192 words) — this is Chapter 4, the last of the 4 free chapters on EditWrx Reads.
Caleb whirled around, keeping Chloe tucked securely behind him. But as he moved to grab the rod from me, Chloe stumbled out from his protection.
With a small, theatrical cry, she fell sideways into a pile of shattered porcelain, dragging her arm across the sharpest shard.
“Ahh—! Caleb! It hurts! She hurt me!” she shrieked, cradling her bleeding arm.
Caleb’s head snapped towards her. His eyes, seeing the blood, turned a dangerous shade of red.
“AVA!”
I had never seen him so furious. It was an anger that went beyond rage; it was murderous.
“You dare hurt her?” he hissed, his voice trembling.
Before I could speak, he pulled a small, tactical knife from his belt. The one he always carried for protection. He advanced on me, and for the first time in my life, I was truly afraid of him.
“You like getting physical, don’t you?” he said, his voice a low, terrifying growl. “Fine. Let me teach you what happens when you cross the line.”
In a flash of movement, the world exploded in pain.
The blade of his knife was through my hand, pinning it to the wooden floorboards.