Page 29 of These Dangerous Fates

Letting a tiny bit of my power rise to the surface, I make sure she’s looking in my eyes as I say, “Relax, Ellis. You are safe with Sterling and Cade.” I know my eyes are glowing. They’re reflected in hers.

Using my compulsion is not something I enjoy doing. I don’t believe people should be forced into doing things against their will. But her fear is overpowering her. She needs to stay focused and alert, and the terror is impeding her ability to do so. Her shoulders lose some of their tension, and I know my compulsion hit the mark.

An official-looking judge approaches and hands me a map of the city. “The course will take place in the circled area,” he says. “Expect any kind of challenges and tests during the course. There are medics stationed throughout, however, they will only treat life-threatening injuries until you make it through to the other side.” His gaze lands over my shoulder on Ellis. “When it comes to Ms. Kennedy, everything is fair game. If someone takes her while you’re on the course, it will be your responsibility to get her back. Whoever has possession of her at the end of the third challenge will be awarded her hand in marriage.”

A rumbling growl from my left side tells me Sterling’s wolf is making his presence known. I second his feelings. Ellis isn’t a possession. This entire situation is seriously fucked up.

The judge looks slightly uncomfortable, and I don’t blame him. I know without looking at Sterling that his ice-blue eyes are glowing, and he’s staring at the judge like an animal with its prey in sight.

I nod acknowledgement and he swiftly walks away. Before I can even blink, I notice Thomas Kennedy approaching. Ellis’s apprehension grows behind me.

“Ellis,” the man says, ignoring the three predators surrounding her. “I hope you keep your eyes open during all of this. I would hate for something to happen to you.” His tone is oily and it’s obvious he truly doesn’t care what happens to her.

Sterling growls again. “Is that a threat?” His words are almost impossible to make out around his rumbling voice.

Thomas slides his gaze to Sterling and his lip curls in disgust. “No. Simply a warning.”

Ellis says nothing, but her hands wrap around my bicep, squeezing tightly.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I ask, bewildered that a father could so nonchalantly threaten his daughter’s life.

He narrows his eyes on me. “Enjoy your time with my daughter. It will be short-lived.” His blue eyes sparkle with amusement. “Oh, yes. I forgot to mention. Sam misses you. He can’t wait to win this contest with you in tow.”

With a truly evil smile, Ellis’s dad walks away. Red explodes in my vision and my fangs descend so quickly they slice through my lower lip. Through my rage, I dimly hear Cade turning to Ellis and speaking quietly to her, calming her growing fear. It’s taking all of my self-control to not launch myself at Thomas Kennedy and draining him dry. Motherfucker.

“Contestants to the starting line.” A booming voice over a speaker announces.

“You got this bro,” Cade says as he steps into my line of sight. He wraps his hand around the back of my head and brings our foreheads together. “Be safe out there.”

I nod against his forehead, running my tongue along my lower lip, licking away the blood there.

When Cade steps away, Sterling approaches. He grabs my shoulder in a bruising grip. “Don’t worry about Ellis. Focus on yourself.” He reminds me.

“Thanks.” I shake out my arms and roll my head from side to side.

Adrenaline courses through my veins and I let the crowd's emotions filter through my mental shields to amp me up further. Before the guys can lead Ellis away, she tentatively approaches me.

She bites her lower lip, indecision flickering through her amber eyes as she looks up at me. I’m so tempted to tug that lip from between her teeth with my thumb, but I restrain myself and instead give her a reassuring smile. A small shiver runs over her as her gaze drops to my mouth, my fangs. As in tune as I am with her emotions now, it’s easy for me to pick up on the desire winding through the fear and it settles low in my gut, enticing and delicious.

She takes a deep breath before standing on her toes and pressing her lips to my cheek. “Be careful, Malakai.”

Her concern does something funny to me. It threatens to throw me off my game, so I give her a roguish wink and say, “Don’t worry about me, baby girl. I’m Malakai fucking Thorne.”

Her lips pull up in a small smile, remembering what she said when we first met not too long ago.

I’m grinning when Cade and Sterling pull her away to watch the start of the race. A voice booms over the speaker again, but I tune it out. I check my weapons to ensure everything is within reach. With my eyes closed, I sink into myself, to the place I fall before a mission. I detach from my conscience and let myself become someone I hate. Someone who doesn’t give a fuck about life or death—mine or others.

I become the monster everyone believes me to be.

At the sound of the gun, the group of guys at the starting line take off. Everyone goes their own way, hoping to avoid the others. I hang back slightly and keep my eyes on Sam, not trusting the fucker not to do something to me or Ellis. Dammit, I need to push her out of my mind. She is a distraction that will cost me if I let my mind linger there.

I watch Sam disappear between two buildings across the street. With the skill of a predator, I scale the lowest building. At seven stories tall, I get a decent view of the city and the other contestants as they make their way through the course. There is no way I can keep to the rooftops, although that would be ideal. The buildings in general are too tall and it would take too long to climb each one.

Perched on the edge, I contemplate the best path that will get me to the end the quickest and with relatively minimal contact with others. In my mind, I picture the city laid out and I think I can keep to the roofs for a short time before the buildings get too tall. With this plan in mind, I stand and jump to the next building.

It’s a couple stories taller than the one I’m on, and I have to grab the edge to pull myself up. Even my supernatural abilities can’t make me jump that high over such a large distance. I continue across the roof, keeping my senses open to any dangers. It’s not until I make the fourth jump to the fifth, and last, building that danger finds me.

Just as my feet hit the roof, a knife comes from nowhere and embeds into my left shoulder. Lightning shoots down my arm, spreading outward from the wound. Immediately, my fingers tingle and I know the blade must have hit a nerve.

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