Page 88 of Lady Killer

“In-bounds for what?”

Everest grinned, unlocking the doors with his usual flourish, allowing the frigid night’s air to blow into thehouse. Alister moved next to him, passing over the bag, and the bottom of my stomach dropped out as he pulled out two very familiar masks.

“Hide-and-seek, my love.”

Arms pumping, lungs aching, feet striking the ground hard, I scrambled to get away from the demons at my back. I raced out past the courtyard, the sound of Everest counting ominously behind me.

“Four Mississippi, five Mississippi . . .”

The grass was crisp with frost as I sprinted toward the edge of the forest. The lights from the manor and the courtyard faded quickly with the distance, but it was the darkness I sought.

“ . . . eight Mississippi . . .”

Having learned my lesson, I took each step with care, mindful that my ankle was still weak. Was it foolish to chance it? Maybe. Had Everest and Alister given me a choice? No.

I slipped behind the first trees just in time to hear the former call out one last warning.

“Ready or not, here we come.”

What happens if they catch me?

Ducking down behind a tree, I considered my options. The woods here felt foreign and strange, but I knew they were my best chance to hide from the killers chasing me down. Luckily for me, there was no snow to reveal my tracks this time.

The night was bitterly cold, every breath hurting my lungs, but I embraced it. The pain balanced the adrenaline rushing through me, helping to keep my head clear.

This was madness. I should have been in bed, tucked under the covers, warm, cozy, and safe. Instead, I was running around the Blackwell Estate in the dead of night.

Alister and Everest had given me a choice. As soon as I saw the sheep masks, I knew what their intentions were. A saner person would have said no. Would have bolted at the very suggestion of it.

Here I was, trembling with fear . . . and anticipation.

A twig snapped somewhere in the darkness, and I bit down on my lip.

“Come out, come out wherever you are . . .” Ever sang.

At Hollow Oak, the woods had been my advantage, here it was theirs. That they would catch me was inevitable.

The choice I had to make now was whether to remain hidden or make a run for it, putting some distance between us.

Leaves crunched to my right, and my decision was made. I leaped up gracelessly and scrambled to my left.

“Petite diablesse.” Alister’s distinctive growl chased after me, but I refused to turn around as I darted in and out of the trees.

I was being hunted, again.

Sliding behind another large tree, I paused to catch my breath, straining my ears, trying to catch my stalkers approaching.

“Run, run, as fast as you can . . . after I catch you, you won’t be able to stand . . .”

Everest’s singing was closer . . . too close.

I took another deep breath before taking off. It was a struggle to run while trying to pay attention to where they were, and it was clear they were quickly closing in on me.

Alister was stealthy as ever, only the occasional shuffling of leaves betraying his position. Ever made no effort to hide himself, instead terrorizing the whole woods as he lumbered through, singing loudly.

Apparently, it was time for Blondie.

There had been no discussion of the rules of the game. I had simply taken off sprinting as soon as Everest and Alister had slipped on their masks. The sound of Ever counting down had followed shortly thereafter.

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