Page 81 of Wicked Fate

I staggered back as shadows bloomed around the porch, faint tendrils of them edging into my vision. I could feel them and smell that faint shifter scent, the pressure sliding against my skin like invisible fingers trying to push me out.

Dammit, Ember. Get your ass back in the house,Ryker linked, grabbing me from behind and tugging me back just as another window crashed upstairs.

Another tragic howl rang into the darkening skies. They had numbers and were coming in fast.Staying here is a fucking death sentence.

Gage cursed. Kendric spun and was headed back inside when a shadow sped toward him.

I reached for my weapon but came up empty handed as Kendric’s leg got swiped from underneath him. He fell, and a shadow dragged him to the porch steps.

Kendric’s face twisted in agony as Gage held up a gun and shot. The shadow jerked back and released its hold as more jumped toward the porch.

Cold slithered across my spine, this time coming from the back of the house. We were surrounded.

They’re behind us too. We have to leave now,I linked.

Hovering next to me, Ryker tensed, ready to protect me at any moment.

Kendric crawled toward us, and Briar handed me her gun.

No—I started.

You can see them,she said.I can’t. It’s better for you to be armed.

She made sense, but I hated for my sister not to have a way to protect herself.

I ran forward, gun lifted, and started firing.

Dammit, Ember.Ryker’s feet pounded to catch up.I swear you want to die and take me with you.

A shadow launched from the dark and slammed Kendric flat on the porch. Bones cracked, and I fired. The vampire jolted off his back, but another took its place, claws dragging across Kendric’s side. Blood bloomed, and his roar of pain twisted something deep inside me.

I fired again, the gunshot cracking through the night like thunder. The vampire dropped, and another came from the left, but Ryker couldn’t see them.

Two are coming from the left side of the porch,I linked, pointing in their direction.And one’s coming from the right.

Gage fired left without hesitation, and a shriek split the air as something heavy hit the ground.

Ryker’s hand gripped my elbow.How can we get you out of here?

A black shadow blurred to my right, and I immediately knew its target.Duck!

Ryker dropped to his knees as I fired over his shoulder. The vampire collided with the rail of the porch, tearing through wood like paper.

I immediately aimed left and took out the two shadows that were almost on top of Kendric.

The one shadow from the right’s body twisted, writhing with rage, before Kendric flipped over and unsheathed a knife then slammed it where it was clear something had landed.

It didn't stop the shadow, but it bought me the second I needed to shoot it in the head.

I spun around and heard shadows from the very back of the house.They’re coming through the house. We’ve got to move.

Xander barreled toward me with Adara limp in his arms.

Kendric stood on the porch, one hand pressed to his ribs where blood leaked through torn fabric. Cassi kept muttering spells under her breath, and a windstorm suddenly rushed the shadows that were trying to attack us.

Another window exploded, but this time in the kitchen. Gage and Briar shrieked as shards rained down. A cloaked vampire dove toward Gage from above.

I shouted, but it was too late.

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