Page 248 of Primal

He pats her ass. Slow. Like he’s deciding if saving her is worth the effort.

Jessica’s legs wobble. Another gasp—wet, wheezing.

And he’s still taking his sweet fucking time.

I lurch forward. “Hey!”

The word tears out of me, sudden and stupid—louder than I meant.

The mask snaps toward me. Those dead-eyed, peanut-colored voids. That silent, endless scream.

Then he tilts his head—just a fraction.

My spine turns to ice.

Kade?

Please don’t be Kade.

Please be Kade.

“Give it to her,” I mutter.

He fishes the inhaler out. Drops it on the ground.

Asshole. I’m about to lunge for it when the knife appears.

One quick slash.

Jessica yelps, chest heaving.

No blood. Only her corset sliced down the front.

The hunter tilts his head at me—watch.

The blade flashes again.

This time, a dark gash opens up on her neck.

“No …” My scream comes out as a squeak.

Jessica sputters. Froth. Blood down her bare breasts. She collapses—all fours—and her fingers scrabble in the dirt until they close around the inhaler.

She brings it to her mouth.

Puff.

Wheeze.

Puff-puff.

She looks around, as if wondering why it’s not working.

Her lungs rattle. The inhaler slips. She’s convulsing. Coughing. Blood spraying everywhere.

Somehow, she drags herself forward.

The bastard doesn’t move, his head cocked in my direction.