Page 27 of Into the Dawn

An older lady gives me a sad smile before shuffling off with a shake of her head.

The sinking feeling that I felt this morning returns. I'm gonna kill Jed, and I'm gonna kill his father, but I have a feeling I'm gonna endure some pain first. Still, every step we take reveals more weaknesses in their security, and more potential allies among the downtrodden clan members.

My beast memorizes each detail, each scent, each fearful face that might be turned to our advantage.

"Let me show you to your accommodations," Jed says, enjoying his big moment and opting to drag it out. His excitement leaks into his scent. He's been waiting for this chance to prove himself, and he thinks he has his chance now at my expense.

When we round the corner, he points to an old barn, but once we step through the door, instead of leading me into the depths of the building, he points at what looks to me like a few planks covering a hole in the damp earth.

"Hiding in plain sight," Jed says, laughing. "Vanessa just never spent long enough up here to explore properly. She probably walked past this a hundred times and thought it was an old store. But this is actually a relatively new addition. Dad wanted to build some fancy jail, but I'm not spending no big heap of money keeping John locked up. So this is gonna do for now. And look, now you're here, so we're getting lots of value out of it."

I don't give him the satisfaction of commenting, merely waiting as he waves an arm out, indicating I should go first.

The temperature drops the second I step down into the dark hole, which opens out into a much better formed tunnel. Four exit points that I can see already, possibly more, once we're inside.

The way in was left poorly finished and rough-looking so that nobody looking in would think there was anything more than astorage pit down here. But as Jed descends, flashlight in hand, I can see it's more substantial than it appeared from above.

Block walls, battery and oil-powered lanterns provide some illumination, and spread out along the tunnel, and boreholes up to the surface let in shards of light and air. The construction is sloppy, they cut corners and hurried through it. It’s a miracle it hasn’t caved in.

"Cosy," I mutter to myself as Jed jabs me in the back with the flashlight.

"Hurry up, Ben. You're just delaying the inevitable, and I want to make it back for brunch, or Mom will kick my ass."

I take the opportunity to get under his skin, scoffing at his comment. "Well, that's gotta suck. Being fourth or fifth in the family pecking order."

Through our bond, I feel Vanessa's savage pleasure at my needling her brother.

Instantly, he tenses, and I know I was right. This is a sore point. Another weakness to exploit when the time comes.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Jed snarls. "I'm number two. And it's not gonna be long until Dad retires. Then I'll get to make the rules."

I laugh to myself, letting Jed see my disbelief. The sound bounces off the tunnel walls, making him twitch.

"Well, you just admitted your mother can kick your ass. We know your father is the most dominant in your family, by far. Vanessa's about to get matched with one of your daddy's favorites. If Vanessa gets pregnant, all will be forgiven. The clan will welcome her back into the fold. And those grandkids, judging by the way your daddy treats you, might come in above you in rank."

"Shut the fuck up." Jed hisses. He really hates talking about this.

I'm just thinking to myself that this might actually be a bit of fun until he cracks me over the back of the head with his flashlight, and I fall to my knees in the dirt.

Maybe not.

"Think it's funny now, fucker? Let's see if you think it's so funny when you get tossed into a ring with some pissed-off family members looking for vengeance."

I blink hard against the stars appearing in front of my eyes. If Jed needs to lower himself to taking a cheap shot like this, then the guy is never going to be strong enough to run a clan.

"And let's see how funny you think it is when, before you die, you watch your mate being hurt in front of the clan. Because that's how we do things here, King. You're not in Kansas anymore."

My beast makes note of the threat, adding it to our tally, using it to fuel the fire burning inside me.

These men have no idea what's coming for them.

15

VANESSA

Smoothing a hand in front of my summer dress, I feel like an idiot. I can see the red dust coating everything outside through the grimy window, carried on hot winds that never seem to stop. The compound looks worse than I remember. There’s even more equipment rusting in yards, more paint peeling from walls, and more broken things that no one bothers to fix anymore.

I'm nervous. My beast paces restlessly, and my skin feels too tight from the afternoon heat.

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