Page 38 of Poison Sun

The others will be surrounding the building now. Once everyone’s in place, they’ll strike.

I know they will.

“Where is everyone?” I ask as we make our way down the narrow hall. It’s a maze up here, and the deeper we get into the building, the more I wonder if coming here was a massive mistake.

“Asleep,” Lucas says. “We sleep all day and hunt all night. As is natural for our kind.”

“Of course,” I say, although my heart pounds as we stop in front of one of the narrow doors and Lucas pulls a key out of his pocket.

Where are they?

I can’t go into that room with him.

If I do, I’ll be trapped. So, I glance around the hall, preparing to bolt.

Turns out I don’t have to.

Because the moment Lucas turns the key, a scream pierces the building’s silence from the direction of the stairwell.

My heart leaps into my throat.

Because they’re here.

It’s begun.

Amber

Lucas’s hand freezes on the key, his head whipping toward the sound.

Then, before I can process what’s happening, he kicks the door open, pulling me inside and throwing me against the wall with a force that leaves no room for resistance.

The impact knocks the air out of my lungs, and I collapse to the floor in a heap.

As quickly as possible, I glance around to get an idea of the space I’m working with. Because one of the important lessons Viktor taught me?

Always be aware of your surroundings.

The apartment is small and dimly lit, the furnishings minimal. There’s a window on the far end that leads out to a fire escape. A table and two wooden chairs are next to a few old kitchen appliances, and an unmade bed—well, a mattress on the floor—sits beneath the window.

The door slams shut.

I reach for my sun magic and throw it at Lucas, but he holds up his dagger and blocks it.

“You lied,” he snarls, his face contorting into a mask of betrayal and pain. “You tried to play me.”

“I didn’t,” I lie right back at him, reaching for one of the daggers stashed in my boots. “I have no idea how they found me.”

“Enough!” He moves in a blur, and his hand finds my arm that’s holding my dagger, pulling me toward him with unexpected force.

I twist, trying to break free, but Lucas’s strength is overwhelming. I can't move my arm, leaving me unable to reach the dagger in my other boot from this position.

“You used my weakness against me.” His breath is hot in my ear, and despite my training, he’s stronger than I am.

I can’t move.

Reaching for my magic again, I pull it up so it rises to where he’s touching me. The heat isn’t as strong as I’ve been able to create before, but it should be enough to shock him and give me the upper hand.

The heat meets Lucas’s skin where he grips my arm, and I push, forcing every ounce of it out at him.

---