Page 77 of Raven

We slipped in, and I felt along the wall for a light switch. Finding it, I flicked it on, blinking in the sudden brightness.

The garage was huge, filled with gleaming cars and, at the far end, a pair of motorcycles that seemed to call my name.

But before we could move towards them, a voice rang out behind us, freezing us in our tracks.

"Well, this is such a shame to see? See, I told dad he was stupid for letting you out the other night. Said that the first chance you got, you'd be out of here. But no. He wanted to show you off." My eyes must have widened and he must have felt it inside, because he grinned. "Yeah, dad," Rick said. "I'm your brother. Isn't that awesome?"

"Just because we share DNA, does not mean we are brothers, or that we are anything."

He rolled his shoulders, cracked his knuckles for effect. Because that would scare me? Neither of us noticed my companion sneaking out. I don't blame him. I'd have run too. I'd have wished him luck, if I'd have seen him, but he was gone, leaving Rick and I alone. Family or not and my panther wanting connection, he didn't back down when threat came. A growl resounded from my throat. We would take this piece of shit down if we had to.

Rick's smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Aw, come on, bro. Don't be like that. We could have so much fun together."

I tensed, my muscles coiling. "The only fun I'm interested in is watching you eat shit."

He lunged forward, faster than I expected. His fist connected with my jaw, sending me stumbling back. Pain exploded across my face, but I pushed it aside, letting my shifter healing kick in.

I retaliated, driving my shoulder into his midsection. We crashed into a workbench, tools clattering to the floor around us. Rick's elbow came down hard on my back, knocking the wind out of me.

We grappled, trading blows. Each hit I took felt like it was chipping away at my resolve, but I refused to give in. I couldtaste blood in my mouth, feel bruises forming and healing in rapid succession.

Rick was strong, I'd give him that. But he was cocky, overconfident. And I had something he didn't—desperation.

As we broke apart, both panting, I saw an opening. I feinted left, then drove my right fist into his solar plexus. He doubled over, gasping. Not wasting a second, I brought my knee up, connecting solidly with his face.

Rick staggered back, blood pouring from his nose. But he wasn't done. He charged at me, roaring with rage. I sidestepped at the last second, using his momentum to slam him into the wall.

Before he could recover, I let my panther come out to play a little, letting my hand shift to a paw, equipped with claws. Rick turned, eyes widening as he saw what I was doing.

"Oh, come on now. That's cheating," he spat, but I saw the flash of fear in his eyes.

I didn't hesitate. I slashed at him, my claws raking across his chest. He howled in pain, but then his own eyes flickered, a feral light igniting in them. His fingers elongated, nails sharpening into deadly points.

"Two can play at that game, brother," he snarled.

We circled each other, both partially shifted now. Rick lunged, his claws slicing through the air. I dodged, but not fast enough. Pain exploded across my ribs as his claws found their mark.

I retaliated, managing to catch his arm with my claws. Blood welled up, but the wound was already starting to close. Claws flashed in the dim light of the garage. Each hit left gashes that healed almost as quickly as they appeared, but the pain ... the pain lingered.

My breath came in ragged gasps, my body screaming in protest. But I couldn't stop. Wouldn't stop. This was my onechance at freedom, and I'd be damned if I let Rick take it from me.

We circled each other again, both bleeding and panting. Rick's eyes gleamed with a mix of rage and something else—enjoyment? The sick bastard was getting off on this.

I backed up, trying to put some distance between us. My foot hit something solid, and I risked a quick glance down. A wrench lay on the floor, must've fallen from the workbench during our scuffle.

Rick saw my distraction and pounced. But I was ready for him. I ducked under his swing, my hand closing around the cold metal of the wrench. As I came up, I swung with all my might.

The wrench connected with the side of Rick's head with a thud. His eyes went wide, then rolled back in his skull. He crumpled to the floor.

I stood over him, chest heaving, the wrench still clutched in my trembling hand. Blood dripped from my various cuts, but I barely felt them. Adrenaline coursed through me, making everything sharp and clear.

Rick lay motionless at my feet. He was breathing, but he wouldn't be getting up anytime soon. Part of me wanted to hit him again, make sure he stayed down. But I wasn't like them.

I dropped the wrench, the clang of metal on concrete echoing in the now-silent garage, and raced over to one of the bikes.

THIRTY-FIVE

The bike roared to life beneath me, its engine's snarl echoing off the garage walls. I didn't give a shit. I gunned it, tyres screaming as I tore out into the pre-dawn darkness. The crisp air slashed at my face, reopening cuts that hadn't yet healed.

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