Page 21 of Silent Oaths
Thewords send a shiver down my spine, andIstart running again, the panic clawing at my chest making it impossible to breathe.
“Faster,Siren!”Theodorecalls out, his voice ringing through the forest like a predator’s growl, andIcan almost feel his presence right behind me.
Idart left, then right, weaving between the trees, but their voices follow me, swirling around me like a tornado.
“Youcan’t hide from us,”Juliantaunts, and the sound seems to come from everywhere at once, pressing against my ears, my skull, my entire body.
Mythoughts spiral asIpush forward, my eyes scanning desperately for any sign of a way out.
They’replaying with me.Thisis all a game to them.Ahunt.
Amaniacal laugh rings out. “She’sdetermined, isn’t she?It’sadorable.”
Mythroat tightens, and tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
Then, silence.
Whereare they?
Myeyes dart through the darkness, scanning the trees.
“You’remaking this too easy,Isabel.”Itcomes from somewhere to my right, but whenIturn,Isee nothing.
Istagger back, my hand flying out to steady myself against a tree.
“Don’tstop now,Starling,”Maxwell’svoice joins in, closer this time. “Wewere just starting to have fun.”
Arustle behind me.
Ispin, but beforeIcan react, a hand shoots out of the darkness and clamps around my wrist.
“No!”Iscream, thrashing against them, but it’s useless.Theodoresteps into view, his face shadowed but unmistakable.
“Thereyou are, my siren.”
10
THEODORE
A few weeks later
Thecar weaves through the chaos of the city center, slipping unnoticed past throngs of pedestrians and an endless stream of traffic.
Isit in the back seat, fingers tapping against the leather armrest.Myphone is pressed to my ear, listening to the man on the other end drone on about numbers, projections, and potential outcomes, but my patience is wearing thin.
“That’senough,”Ibark, cutting through the excuses. “Idon’t care about setbacks.Icare about results.Deliver, orI’llfind someone who can.”
Ilean back into the seat, stretching my legs out as the car rounds a curve.
“I’veheard enough for now.Followup with the legal team and send me the final draft.I’lllook it over.”
Thisbusiness venture has potential, but it’s not where my mind needs to be tonight.Vanguardawaits, tucked away in plain sight in the heart of theEbonridge.Itdoesn’t stand out; that’s the point.It’sburied beneath layers of anonymity, its true nature obscured behind an unremarkable façade.
“I’mnot in the habit of repeating myself,”Iadd, my voice cold. “Youhave until the end of the week.”Thefaint ache at the back of my skull intensifies. “Idon’t have the luxury of patience, so figure it out.”
Withoutwaiting for a response,Iend the call and drop the phone onto the seat beside me.
Thetown hums around us, oblivious to the weight of the meetingI’mabout to walk into, the first gathering sinceFather’sdeath.Iflex my fingers, releasing the tightness in my knuckles.
