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Norton clutched an arm and held her while Garret came around behind and began unlacing her bodice. “No,” Sarah protested, tried to turn away. “Please, do not.” Garret grabbed a handful of her hair, gave it a hard yank, bending her head back. He pressed his lips next to her ear. “You behave and do as you are told and this will go much easier on you. You understand me?”
“That’s better,” Garret said, staring at her chest. He grabbed a breast and tugged it roughly upward, then to the left and right, then the other one, searching for any marks. He then prodded under her arms, digging with his fingers, making Sarah wince. Garret snagged the top of her skirt and tugged it down. It slid down her legs, pooling around her ankles, leaving her fully exposed.
Forest needed only speak of it and the memories flooded in. The people arriving, coming down from the north during the time of great ice, from a land far away, a type of creature none had witnessed before—animals that covered their skin in the hides of other animals.
“Abitha, my blood brings many gifts. It’s time you began to understand what you are. The wilderness is your home.… You have many friends here.” She wasn’t sure what he meant. Sky? Creek? But they could do so little. The stables were fully ablaze now, and though they were well within the trees, flickering beams of light penetrated the darkness. Samson led her around a large clump of brush, pulling her down within the shadows. He placed her hand on the ground. “Feel Mother Earth … hear her.”

