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“Just get Kerian and I within it, and we will take as many hits as we have to,” River says, determined.
“Just be patient. I realize that's hard right now, but I have to concentrate on what I’m feeling. I can feel the power in this room, so hopefully I can feel the witch’s,” Serenity urges.
A kernel of hope sparks in my chest. If this works, I will be forever in her debt. If only we get to Ava in time.
Chapter Eighteen
Ava
The sun is just setting when the cages opened remotely. Five shifters scatter the moment they did. I step out slowly. There are no buildings in sight, just trees. I glance at the witch to find her watching me with concerned eyes.
“You could help,” I accuse.
“I wish I could. The most I can do is weaken the spell. I wish you luck,” she says quietly; I have to strain to hear her.
I pick a direction I didn’t see the others take and start walking. I know I have to move fast and quietly, but my body is in shock. They didn’t teach this at the church. How to run for your life while assholes hunt you? It wasn’t a class in school, either.
I move faster, stepping over dead branches and weeds. My breathing escalates at the gravity of my situation. The one positive fact is those men are just that: human men. If they were healthy shifters, I would be totally screwed. They can’t use their smell to find me or their speed. They may have guns, but they have to see me to shoot me.
I lean against a tree to catch my breath. I take some deep breaths to calm my heartbeat. I need to go farther into the woods and find a place to hide. The forest is so dense. I understand how you could get turned around; everything looks the same. The further I go, the more alone I feel. Everyone knows this is how all horror movies start. There is nothing or no one to guide you to safety alone in a dark, desolate place. I’m on my own. The shifters won’t help me; Gill made sure of that. They were too beaten down to be real allies even if he hadn't. The witch wants to put an end to the games—I could tell— but whatever Gill has told her terrifies her. I trip over a root and go down on my knees—shit, how cliche. I get up, brushing off my knees, sure they are bleeding now.
My leg band.
Fuck, I forgot. Even though I wore pants today, I put on my leg band by habit. I have a knife. I’ll have to undo my pants to get to it, though. I have to put more distance between the hunters and me to feel safe doing it.
I move as fast as I can with no shoes. I was not made for this. I want my mates. I should have stayed home, taken up knitting or some shit.
Who demands to return to work when they have sexy mates at home?
Unfortunately, me.
Another problem is going to be the dark. I don’t have shifter eyes. My eyes are already straining to see where I’m going. At least I can’t see the bottom of my feet; I’m sure they are bleeding already—the thing to worry about later.
I can make out a cluster of trees in front of me. I have to stop to get my knife. I look around me and don’t sense anyone nearby. I stop in the middle of the trees and listen. Leaves rustle around me, but it’s too soft to be anything but the breeze. I hope.
I lean back on the tree, tentatively unsnap my pants, and unzip my zipper. The sound is explosive in the night. With a shaky hand, I grasp the knife and pull it out. I restore my clothing and drop my head back, releasing a breath.
“Well, look who I found.” The voice paralyzes me. With my eyes wide, I watch one of the hunters approach.
I fucking suck at this.
“I had my doubts about Gill bringing you here. But I saw you and changed my mind. I figure I can have some fun while we wait for his nephew. What do you think, pretty lady?” He stops in front of me, close enough to feel his breath.
He’s not much taller than me. He’s skinny. I could fight. His gun is strapped to his back; his hands are braced on either side of my waist. He would struggle to pull the weapon quickly. The metal in my hand snaps me out of my fear as adrenalin courses through me.
I have one shot at this. I have to cover the sound of the switchblade, though.
“How did you find me so quickly?” I ask; I don’t have to pretend to be scared. It’s evident in my trembling voice.
“I took off before the appointed time. I was waiting when I saw you jogging by.” He licks his lips. “I can hide you from the others if you do me a favor,” he promises.
“What kind of favor?” I gag. My finger finds the button.
“I want between those pretty thighs.” He moves his hand to my ass and squeezes painfully. As I gasp, I press the button. “I really want to fuck this ass.”
“There is a problem with that, though,” I say. I don’t dwell on what I have to do to keep him from damaging me permanently.
“What?” he frowns as he presses closer. The smell of his sick sweat makes me gag.
