Page 52 of A Touch Of Death

Chapter 25

Novia

Afterfinding the tracker in my arm, I went to tell the others. I could hear them talking when I reached the top of the stairs, so I stayed where I was as not to interrupt. Sitting on the top step, I heard their entire conversation. Heard them talk about weapons, Naturals, the bonds between us. I heard them when they theorised that the humans knew more than we ever thought they would. But most of all, I heard Ezra ask the question that had my heart stilling in my chest.

Do you honestly believe Novia and the rest of her kind are the only Naturals that were captured?

Honestly, it hadn't occurred to me that others would be taken. Now that the question has been asked, and the guys have discussed the possibility that the facility has more Naturals imprisoned within its walls, the more naïve I feel for not thinking of it sooner. Of course, they would capture more Naturals. Those who have varying abilities that would aid them in the war they're brewing. We're pawns for them to use in this war, pawns with the power to make them indestructible.

And I have a tracker inside my arm that will lead them to four of the strongest Naturals I know.

Although Spencer has runes placed around the house to create a shielding barrier, I don't trust that it will be enough to keep us all hidden. Spencer has only just started using more power after going years without using it to its full extent. These humans had been experimenting on and observing Naturals for who knows how long before my people were taken. If they do know more than we've credited them with, then there's a possibility that they could find us in spite of the runes.

I can't be the reason the men I care for are caught. I won't sit here waiting for us to be found, putting the guys in more danger. And I certainly won't sit here while who knows how many Naturals are still living in captivity and are being used for those sick bastards; plans.

First, I have to remove this tracker.

I form a half-baked plan in my head, one that will leave me far enough away to remove the tracker to keep my guys safe. After that, I'll work out what to do about the facility.

Just as Ezra is saying something about my blood being different, I rush to my closet on silent feet. I find a duffel bag and snatch some clothes from hangers and drawers, stuffing them into the bag before zipping it tightly and leaving the room.

Standing in the middle of my new room, I look around, feeling my heart sink. I'd just found a home with people who mean so much to me. And now I'm going to have to leave it all behind to keep them safe.

I sigh, and a lone tear escapes my eye. Batting it away, I move to the beautifully-carved french doors, opening them slowly so they don't make a noise. I step onto the balcony, and, with one last look behind me, I phase to the tree line at the back of the house.

I look back at the house, but when I hear the furious roar that sounds awfully similar to a tiger, I phase again. I land further into the woods, and I keep phasing. When the house fades from view, and I'm sure I'm far enough away, I start running to save my energy.

As soon as I reach the perimeter where the runes are carved into the ground, I take a deep breath and step over the barrier. The growing tugging in my chest explodes, and I'm left to curl in on myself while I wait to catch my breath.

The moment my eyes focus again, and I can take a breath without my chest hurting, I check my arm. The light that had previously been orange has turned green. It wouldn't take a genius to know the tracker has been activated. Deciding now is a good a time as any, I begin to phase through the woods, disappearing and reappearing further and further away from the house, leaving a huge chunk of my heart inthe process.

I lose track of how long it takes me to move through the entire woods, phasing in different areas hoping to confuse whoever is at the other end of my tracker. Finding somewhere to hide is a struggle in the darkness, but luck must be on my side when I find a small cave carved into a stone brick wall I've stopped next to.By the time I find the cave, it's dark out, and I can barely see my hand in front of my face. The cave is small but big enough for me to squeeze into and hide in until the sun comes up again. I shove my duffle bag into the opening, stuffing it as far back as it will go before following after it. I crouch low and shuffle into the small space, turning until my back meets a wall and sliding down until I'm sitting on the ground. I'm forced to pull my knees up since the space is so small.

I drop my head back against the stone with a heavy sigh and close my eyes. With nothing better to do while I wait, I turn my focus onto the pull of the bond in my chest. The pull that's tethered to four men who hold a piece of my soul. The ones I left behind to keep them safe. I laugh, the sound faintly echoing off the walls. Of course, Fate would give me four men to care for at the same time they give me abilities I shouldn't have that paint a fucking target on my back.

I already miss them.

Zayn's shy smiles yet assertive nature, Nix's humour and warmth. I miss Spencer's laugh and the surprise on his face when he realises he broke out of his serious façade. I even miss his backwards hats. I also miss Ezra. He's been warming up to me, and it showed in the way he cared for me, the way he prioritised my health, and... well, me. Most of all, I miss having the guys with me, having conversations, hearing lame jokes or watching movies together. It's ridiculous to miss them so much already, but my heart feels like it's missing four vital pieces.

With another deep sigh, I focus my efforts on trying to get some sleep. I'll only be able to stay here for a couple of hours before I'll need to move again, so it's best to get some shut eye before then. Won't do me any good if I'm overtired while I'm running.

It takes a while to fall asleep, but eventually the need for rest overrules my body, and I fall into a fitful sleep with the guys on my mind.

****

The snap of a twig wakes me, and a sudden sense of deja vu overcomes me. The last time I fell asleep in the woods was when I was being hunted by Davis. Fear spikes within me, and I push myself further into the cave.

It takes a second for me to wake up entirely, but when I do, I'm on full alert and am sitting straight in the cave while doing everything in my power to keep quiet. Despite my attempts to be quiet, it almost feels as though the sound of my rapidly beating heart could be heard from the other side of the woods.

I listen for any other sounds, but none follow.

Not willing to take any chances, I glamour myself invisible and shuffle out of the small cave, dragging my duffle with me. I swing it over my back and keep close to the wall where the cave is carved. I walk along the wall, dragging my back across the surface, my eyes flicking in every direction.

Still nothing.

It's possible it could have been a passing animal or my imagination, so with that in mind, I drop my glamour, move away from the wall, and begin trekking through the woods as the sun begins its slow rise. The sky is still dark, but there are signs of first light, though I have no idea what the time is.

Sticking to the trees, I quickly make my way through the woods, gaining pace as I go.

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