Page 5 of Silent Fire

He raised a hand, thick claws sliding out from his fingernails. Noel’s jaw dropped, momentarily forgetting how his head was being yanked back painfully.

The guy’s eyes began to glow amber, his lips twisting into a feral smile. “And I’m gonna take my sweet time so you feel every—” His head snapped toward the bedroom door just as a silhouette filled the doorway.

Sharp Teeth was knocked off of Noel. Unfortunately, the guy still had a grip on his hair. Noel screamed, clutching Sharp Teeth’s wrist to try and ease the pain as he flew backward.

Noel couldn’t keep up with what was going on, especially when he was twisting around, trying to get those fingers to let go.

The room was filled with the noise of growls and the sound of fists connecting with bones. Noel glanced over and saw Cesar brawling with Glowing Eyes. They were going for blows, power behind every punch. Then Cesar slammed Glowing Eyes into the wall, leaving a dent. Plaster flew everywhere, but they just kept on fighting.

Noel was on all fours, struggling to see behind him. He was still gripping Sharp Teeth’s wrist, until the fingers finally went slack. Right by his ear, bones crunched, followed by a painful grunt.

“Try to grab him again and I’ll rip that hand off.”

It was Tomas! Noel’s heart thundered like crazy. He was so goddamn relieved to hear Tomas’s deep voice. Noel scrambled out from under Sharp Teeth, quickly moving toward the wall, then turned around.

“Oh fuck!”

Tomas’s eyes were glowing too, and he had sharp teeth sticking out from under his top lip!

What in the hell was going on? What were these guys? Noel hesitated for only a heartbeat before shoving to his feet, every part of him aching, and bolted out of the room.

He stumbled down the stairs then sprinted out the front door without looking back.

Chapter Two

“Damn it!” How was he supposed to keep Noel safe if the human kept running off?

Tomas drove his claws through the hyena’s heart, still feeling feral after seeing the guy lying on top of Noel. He pulled them out then drove them back in two more times. “You sick fuck,” he snarled at the lifeless body.

If he hadn’t thought to check here for Noel, there was no telling— He shut that thought down. “You good?”

“Go.” Cesar jammed his claws into the other hyena’s neck. “I’m right behind you, hermono.”

Tomas noticed the hyena he killed had red marks on his face. Had Noel fought him? He sure as fuck hoped so.

Outside, he scanned the area. How far could Noel have gone? He sniffed the crisp night air, picking up the cinnamon and vanilla scent from Noel’s shampoo, the same one from his room at the tavern.

Turning toward the road, Tomas sprinted after him. And when he caught up to Noel, Tomas would have some explaining to do. His eyes glowing and canines exposed? That had been a gut reflex to seeing that bastard on top of Noel.

Agh! Tomas was supposed to forget what he’d seen, but it was all he could think about. His lycanthrope wanted to go back and shred that hyena apart.

But his wolf howled for him to find Noel, the crazy beast going nuts.

As soon as he hit the main road, he spotted Noel’s blond hair. Tomas frowned. “How the hell did he get that far already?”

With a grunt, he took off, racing to reach the guy.

Noel glanced back, eyes wide, then hauled ass like he was part rabbit.

“Stop!” Tomas was not used to running this fast and hard in human form, but if he let his wolf free, he would scare the crap out of Noel.

“Screw you!” Noel darted left, cutting through the tall grass.

Tomas was moving fast and almost ate dirt trying to change direction. How the hell was this little guy so quick and agile?

Noel veered right, arms and legs going wild as he hollered, “Skunk!”

Oh shit! Tomas tried to stop instantly but ended up sliding on his ass. He immediately twisted sideways, shoved to his feet, and took off after Noel. If he caught him, Tomas was gonna need at least half an hour to catch his breath.

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