Page 29 of Wicked Fate

“Here, take this,” Gage said, handing her a gun.

“Let’s roll.” Xander headed to the door and opened it.

The six of us went outside and, for a second, we all stared at one another.

Be safe,everyone,I linked.Let me know the second something feels off. Anything at all.

I followed Ryker, the others falling in behind us.

The moment we stepped off the porch, the world looked different.

Twilight crept along the horizon, streaks of pink and gold trying to paint over the horror of last night. But I could’ve sworn the shadows still clung to the edges of the trees, and the scent of blood hadn’t faded.

Bodies.

Dozens of them still lined the clearing across the neighborhood—some wrapped in sheets, others barely covered. The wolves hadn’t had a chance to bury their dead. Not yet.

A low growl rumbled in Ryker’s chest as we passed them, his eyes flicking to each one.

We walked in silence, the only sounds our boots crunching over gravel and the wind rustling through the trees.

When we reached the edge of the woods, Ryker stopped and raised a hand.

Stay human,he ordered.If we encounter shadows or worse, we need to be able to shoot. Shift only if absolutelynecessary.

Everyone nodded, weapons already drawn.

My fingers twitched on my pistol, nerves dancing in my blood. The weapon didn’t feel right, and I wanted to drop it. However, I had to be strong.

We stepped onto the forest path, the trees closing in around us.

The air changed.

Became colder. Heavier.

That familiar sensation hit first, like a gaze pressing into the back of my neck. The warmth I’d felt earlier stirred again, telling me someone was watching.

Him.

As I tried to locate him, I didn’t see any sign or sense any evidence that he was near. But the sensation intensified. Then came the chill, a creeping, icy dread that wrapped around my spine.

My breath caught. I didn’t need to see red eyes or shadows to know.

Vampires.

They were close, and they had to be hunting.

Huntingus.

CHAPTERNINE

Do you sense something?Ryker linked as he turned toward me. His fingers brushed mine as we moved, low and silent, through the thick oak trees.

Our connection sprang to life, and the connection in my chest shrank and coiled, affected by tension from both of us.

Yes, both the vampires and the strange man.I honestly hadn’t wanted to tell him that last part, but I refused to keep things from him anymore. We were partners… one soul, completed now, and I wouldn’t take our relationship for granted.

My fingers clenched tighter around the gun I held. The coldness of the metal might as well have been an icicle.

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