Page 84 of Scorned

A shiver rolled through me thinking about a fish market my grandmother used to take me to when I was little. I always hated the smell. “Eww, why?”

“Heston, Demi, and Lane caught a bunch of catfish and brought them back. Drag’s gonna clean ‘em, then Laren and Kimber are gonna fry them up. I’m only slightly jealous that I won’t be here to eat them, but at least I get to kill people. Hopefully.”

The other rear door opened and Lynx got in with a sigh. “Go ride with the boys, Winnie.”

“It’s Winston.”

“Get the hell out before I—”

“Geezus, Lynx. Fine.” Winnie opened the door with a scowl, slamming it on his departure. A grin replaced his angry face as Lyric rolled down her window and he leaned in, kissing her goodbye. “I’ll see you there, mama.”

Ravage pulled up next to us and honked the horn. “Damn it, boy, get your ass in this van!”

Winnie snickered, then squinted his eyes at me. “Drive like a normal person for once, Sage Stick. I’d like my woman to arrive safe and sound.” He tapped the side of my Jeep and backed away, pointing into the backseat. “You’re evil, Lynx. Pure evil!”

“Winston!” Ravage screamed and we laughed as Winnie bolted to the sliding door on the side of the van.

I started the car, meeting Lynx’s eyes in the rear-view mirror. Ravage had assigned her the preparations, and I really wanted to ensure we didn’t leave anything behind. “Did you get everything on the list?”

She held her hand up, ticking off her fingers as she spoke. “Kimber and I packed weapons, ammo, handcuffs, and a cooler filled with blood bags. Winnie said he has all the instructions Naomi had planned stored in his head. He also brought some stuff he said we needed. So, we’re good to go. With all that shit in the van, hopefully Ravage doesn’t get pulled over or someone will be eating a cop for dinner.”

I attempted to ignore that possibility and wiped my clammy hands onto my jeans before re-gripping the steering wheel. This was the moment I’d been waiting for and my twisting stomach was going to constantly remind me the entire drive.

Ravage pulled out of the parking area and I followed suit. In approximately five hours, we’d arrive at a hotel near White Sands Missile Range and sleep one day before we embarked on the riskiest mission any of us had ever done.

Chapter 24

Luka

Reality used to be a term for describing something real, not the magical aspects of an occurrence. But when reality becomes blurred by medicine-induced hallucinations, it’s difficult to differentiate between what’s actually real and what’s merely a dream.

A small sliver of sunlight had barely cast its ray onto the world below while I relaxed in a rocking chair on my front porch, its warmth now eager to embrace the awakening plants and animals after a chilly fall night.

“Luka?” Sage whispered, and I shifted my gaze toward the sound of her heavenly voice. Despite her tousled hair and sleepy appearance, she looked more beautiful than ever.

“Good morning, my love.”

She stifled a yawn before wiping the sleep from her eyes. “What are you doing out here?”

Wondering myself, I glanced down at my favorite Star Wars mug in my hand, then to the horizon ahead of me. “I’m drinking coffee and watching this beautiful sunrise.”

She dipped her head down and picked at her nails, a behavior she often did when anxious. “You can’t be out here. Come back to bed.”

My gaze traveled down her body and I smiled at the T-shirt that extended to her mid-thigh. “You look sexy wearing my clothes.”

“You can’t be out here, Luka.”

I turned my head, inspecting my surroundings before my brows pinched. “I’m sitting on the porch of the house I own, so why can’t I be?”

“You need to come back. Come back to me.”

My forehead tightened, more confusion settling in me. “How can I come back when I never left?”

“Come back, Luka. Don’t die on me!” she screamed, seconds before a sting radiated across my cheek. She had slapped me, yet I never saw her move.

Her strange actions puzzled me, her words contradicting her composed manner. “Why would I die, Princess?”

“Give him more blood! Force him if you have to.”

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