Page 32 of Their Lethal Pet

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“Fifty seconds.”

Bartholomew yanks open a door to his left and steps inside. Miranda hesitates. But I don’t. Being in a building sounds better than standing in this alleyway.

Although, the inside leaves a lot to be desired. It’s just… empty. And way too clean, just like everything else in this city.

No dust. No cobwebs. No dirt. Just pristine floors and walls.

At least it isn’t white.

“Forty-five seconds,” the voice echoes through the room, making me wince.

Bartholomew glances all around like he’s searching for the source, his gaze wild.

“Forty seconds.”

Miranda’s eyes well with tears, her stance remaining unsure in the doorway. “They’re coming. They’re coming. They’re?—”

“Thirty-five seconds.”

Miranda collapses onto her knees, causing Bartholomew to run to her.

I back away slowly as he lifts her into the air, carrying her inside with hushed whispers against her ear. These two must have known one another prior to the Day of the Choosing. It’s written in their body language and the way he’s able to calm her now.

In another life, I might have asked questions.

But not in this one.

Not with that voice counting down over our heads.

She’s going second by second now, her voice piercingmy every thought and weaving ominous energy through my veins.

“Twenty.”

“Nineteen.”

“Eighteen.”

I shake my head, wishing she wouldstop. There’s absolutely nowhere to hide in this large room, and I’m not entirely convinced it’s truly as empty as it feels. But Bartholomew is too busy with Miranda to provide any insight. His lips whisper across her cheek to her mouth, their kiss oddly sweet in this dangerous environment.

“Ten,” the voice says. “Nine. Eight…”

Bartholomew wraps his arms around Miranda and holds her close, the two of them lost in an embrace that leaves me feelingveryout of place.

This is their moment, not mine.

I… I need to…

“Five.”

Run, I think.Hide. I can’t let any of them catch me.

“Three.”

Shit!

I dart toward a hallway inside the building, hoping to find a smaller room with furniture or something to hide behind.

“Two.”

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