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So long ago, these same creatures so easily plucked her father away, ending his life with a simple drop. The fury laughed with wicked delight as Eryn had screamed for her family. Lexi’s life on the line, all hope lost and only seconds remaining until Eryn would lose her entire family, herself, she had offered her life—her soul—to save her sister.

This wasn’t her moment. Poker wasn’t her game, but she knew it wasn’t time to show her hand.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. Tears streamed down her face. Not an act, but she didn’t try to hide it.

Shadows crossed over her, a snarling triangle pinning her in place.

Weak, aching, she kicked out.

Her foot throbbed from the impact against scales.

The creature hissed and smacked her with a serrated wing.

Her head whipped back.

Not her moment, but Eryn wasn’t going down without a fight. She snatched a knife from its sheath at her hip and slashed the creature’s wing.

With a furious screech, the creature snapped her hand that held the knife.

Blood-red darkness coated her vision.

Not even needing to fake it, she wrenched protectively, holding her abdomen tight. Her imagination reeled, wondering if there was internal bleeding.

Useless, bleeding out, she collapsed into the pool of her own blood.

Another clawed foot nailed her from behind. Wedged between her vertebrae. Fiery pain shot into her back.

Darkness faded to light, a heavenly glow filling her as death closed in. An escape from the pain, so close. She had only to reach, and death would answer.

Again and again. They kicked with sharp claws. Sliced and bit.

Always sparing her face. Sparing vital organs. A punch pulled from rupturing her spinal column. A gash just shallow of her liver.

No, this wasn’t murder. This wasn’t rage. This was a calculated attack. Bring her to the brink of death, but her scars could be hidden.

Laced with blood, Eryn’s voice was raw. “I will not beg.”

Consciousness flitting away, she heard the soothing reassurances, and felt an ice-cold hand on her shoulder. “I am so proud of you.” Her hair was brushed from her face, a gentle kindness in the delicate touch. “Rest and recover. You’ll need your strength.”

Eryn tried to make a sound, but only a whimper rattled in her throat.

“When death surrounds you, suffocates you, and tugs at your soul, you will know I am coming.”

Blood filled her vision—her own or a hallucination? Eryn wanted to scream either way. From deep in her heart and shatter the sky. Death beckoned her, but she held on. More would die before this was over.

For the countless more who would die if she failed, Eryn clung to life.

6

“I need a date.”

Shoulder leaning against the doorframe of his front door, dressed for a lazy evening at home in joggers, a t-shirt, and his bare feet, Vann studied his odd neighbor.

Eryn hadn’t left the apartment in a week, yet she was now at his door, requesting a date like a neighbor asking to borrow a cup of sugar.

“Okay…”

In a sexy as hell inky black dress, Eryn waited on his front porch. For the first time in the weeks since they’d met, she was wearing makeup, her hair wasn’t in a sleepy disarray, and she was dressed to kill. Hands on her hips, impatience covering insecurity, she shrugged and tipped her chin up to look him smack in the eyes. “I should rephrase that.”