Page 48 of Mortal Mate (Shadow Shifter)

Raine nodded. “I’m not surprised. I never conceived such a thing would be possible.”

Colton shrugged. “It may not be. The process may kill him. I doubt this was tried in the past.”

Raine glanced at the shop. “I’m eager to find out.”

“As am I,” Colton said.

“If they could be vindicated, it will change everything,” Raine said wistfully.

“I agree. How are we going to trap one? I have always had a kill now, ask questions later kind of motto,” Colton said.

Dannika tapped her finger on her lip. “We need a remote area to lure the reaper. Somewhere where we won’t be interrupted.”

Raine glanced toward the city. “The park is remote and frequented by the reapers at night. The homeless make excellent victims.”

Dannika’s shoulders slumped. “There were many transient people at the shelter. I had assumed they’d moved on to a new city. Found a home or a new shelter. How many of them disappeared in the park?”

Raine rubbed her back. “Your compassion is a gift, but it won’t be an asset in this endeavor. Starving a reaper will not be pretty. You have to prepare yourself for the consequences. The reaper may die.”

Her back stiffened. “You’re right. I need to get my head in the game. Once we pick a location, I will step into a shadow pathway.” Her eyes flicked up when Raine growled. “I won’t leave, just alert them to my presence. Hopefully, the reapers are still looking for me.”

“I will not use you as bait,” Raine snapped.

The hairs on her skin raised. “Thankfully, this isn’t your decision.”

Black smoke swirled off Raine’s shoulders before Colton chuckled.

“While I find your conversation amusing, perhaps you could save the foreplay for later,” he said, before he winked at Dannika.

Raine’s eyes narrowed on Colton. “You keep this up, and I’m going to skin you and mount your carcass on my wall.”

Colton’s eyes flickered. “I would like to see you try.”

Dannika stepped between the men, putting her hand on each of their chests. “Stop it now. You’re both acting like teenagers. Focus on the reaper or I’ll go after him alone.”

Both men backed away.

“No,” Colton said.

“Then get your heads out of your asses and help me,” she snapped.

Colton’s lips twitched. “I love her warm and fuzzy side.”

Dannika gave him the finger but cracked a smile. “We ready to do this now?”

Raine nodded. “There are lampposts along the walkway. I recommend we jump to a location deep within the park. If we don’t find any reapers lurking, we can work our way toward the exit.”

Dannika took Raine’s hand. “I’ll step in and out of the shadows, creating a ripple in the stream. You and Colton can hide in the pathway. When the reaper comes for me, slip behind him and inject him with the serum. I’m not looking forward to getting bitten again, so I would appreciate you being quick about it.”

Raine’s eyes flickered with blue fire. “I will not let you down.”

Dannika allowed Raine’s shadow to envelop her as they raced through the dark pathway. The wrenching of bone and flayed skin had become an expected, even welcome pain. One she could become addicted to. This time, Raine controlled their speed and ascent. They glided from the darkness, coalescing in the shadow of an old lamppost.

The cultured bushes and large evergreens shimmered in the breeze as the light reflected the rustling leaves. The echo of the night created a deadly lullaby. Nothing moved in the darkness, danger hung on every breath.

She glanced in every direction. Though her eyesight was impeccable at night thanks to her shadow, she couldn’t detect anything out of the ordinary. Still, her wolf paced within the confines of her skin, growling its uneasiness. “Should we move closer to the exit?”

Colton dissolved, moving into the shadows.

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