Page 48 of Wicked Fate

“All I can come up with is the strange man,” Reid growled. “He’s still watching Ember.”

“He protected our people again,” I added, wanting to believe this stranger had good intentions.

Still, his help could vanish any time. We couldn’t depend on it, especially when everything else around us broke so easily.

“Not trying to be inconsiderate—because I know we almost lost half our group—but we need to move,” Reid said urgently. “That blast will bring more of them, and I suspect they’ll alert the vampires at the mansion.”

He was right. We took a moment to collect ourselves; dealing with the emotions would have to come later.

Ryker’s frustration flared, causing more anxiety to race through me as he linked,We gotta go. The surprise could be ruined, so we need to get there and get this done quickly.

Briar’s Accord shot forward, the tires ripping into the soft earth as she veered around a burning tree limb. I floored Kevin’s old Mazda, which jostled over roots and narrow trails like it remembered the path as well as I did.

“They’ll be coming faster now.” Ryker scanned the woods despite his inability to see the shadows. “We need to ensure they’re not chasing us before we hit the road.” His frustration continued to grow.

My heart slammed against my ribs as I tore through the woods behind Briar. The backup exit sat hidden behind a collapsed barn on the outer edge of the Sinclair land with no signs and no markers. Just a narrow path between two trees that led to a forgotten gravel service road.

What’s wrong?I asked. I couldn’t figure out what was bothering him so much.

Reid had to tell us to drive.Ryker’s disgust seeped through the bond.I’m the alpha protector. That should’ve been my call.

I’d always thought Ryker was hard on himself, but feeling his emotions made me realize it was worse than I’d ever imagined.You almost lost four of your pack members. He wasn’t going to lose any of his. That’s completely different.

That’s why I had the fucking spell placed on me.He fisted one hand in his lap.But I couldn’t even get it to pull up when I tried just now.

My gut clenched hard, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the trail to glare at him. Instead, I pushed toward him all my hurt and disgust.Even after everything, you’re trying to use the magic? She said it would change you.

All of a sudden, Briar jerked to the right and linked,Fallen tree!

The Accord skidded around it, revealing a huge-ass oak tree lying in front of us. Luckily, we were at the end where the roots stuck out, so I yanked a hard right like Briar to get around.

Our car tipped and rolled up on the passenger side wheels as the driver’s side tires hit the tips of the roots, causing a few to break off and fly. One hit the windshield and cracked it as we cleared the tree by inches.

The Mazda slammed back onto the dirt path with a sickening thud, and Reid groaned painfully from the backseat.

“Is everyone okay?” I rasped, focused on watching for other surprises that might appear out of thin air.

“We’re fine, seeing as we’re all still alive.” Sun sighed.

I didn’t need to look in the rearview mirror to know that her words were sincere.

“For the love of the goddess, please tell me we’re almost out of this path from hell?” Cassi’s voice was tight and timid.

Before I could answer, Briar pulled out onto the gravel road just about ten yards ahead.

“We’re here.” I sagged slightly, thankful that we were on an actual road. I’d known the secret path would be challenging, but I hadn’t expected a grenade.

Our tires spat gravel as we raced toward the end of Sinclair territory.

Ryker’s emotions were still on edge, but a little bit of peace seemed to envelop us.

Babe, having emotions isn’t a bad thing.Now that I didn’t have to focus on the road so intentionally, I could pick up our previous conversation. The sun was rising, blanketing the sky in pinks, purples, and oranges.Sometimes emotions help us focus on what really matters. Cutting them off can have you making a decision that you would regret for the rest of your life.

Being a leader means making hard calls, lil rebel,he replied, placing a hand on my thigh.You know that. It’s easier to not let emotions confuse things.

Like when you wanted to leave me for dead after pulling me from the river?I arched a brow.

Intense agony shot through our bond, and guilt returned. He inhaled sharply.Point made,he replied.

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