Page 30 of These Dangerous Fates

“Fuck,” I hiss as I grab the handle and yank it out. It burns like fire as it slides out with a wet sucking noise, and I grit my teeth at the onslaught of blood that dribbles from the wound. Ducking down to keep covered, I press my hand to the injury and will my abilities to kick in and speed up the healing. This is where being a mage with healing magic would come in handy.

I look around for any sign of my attacker, but all I see are empty windows in the taller buildings around mine. Cautiously, I scooch to the opposite side of the roof, keeping low and close to the short wall. From the direction the blade came and how it was stuck in my shoulder, the attacker had to have been in front of me and to my left. I crawl my way to the right side of the building, the side that faces Main Street. Not ideal, but better than going down the side in plain view of the dick who threw a knife at me.

I slip the blade between my teeth. The metallic taste of my own blood reminds me I haven’t fed in a while. I purposely avoided it to give myself an edge during this challenge. A vampire on the verge of hunger is more dangerous than a well-fed one.

A quick glance over the edge tells me I can jump about halfway down and land in a window. From there, it’s another jump to the ground. Across the street is an alley. It’s too dark to see what’s inside, but I’ll risk it.

I move quickly to avoid being hit by another dagger and throw my legs over the ledge. Hanging on the side of the building, I check the distance to the window one last time before letting go. I mentally calculate my fall and grab onto the window ledge I was aiming for. The impact jars my shoulders, the injured one screaming in pain as my body jerks to stop.

“Fuck, shit, gods damn,” I gasp through the fire burning in my shoulder.

I collect myself before letting go and dropping the rest of the way to the ground, landing in a crouch, my hips and knees popping at the contact. Jumping to my feet, I sprint across the street and into the alley.

Before I’m ten steps inside the dark cover between the buildings, a net of magic snares me around my legs and arms. I stop before I topple over, keeping my balance purely from my supernatural abilities. Running footsteps approaching the alley has me turning my head in that direction and I see a shifter approaching—a dagger matching the one that had embedded in my shoulder in his hand.

A scuff of a footfall in front of me whips my head forward, only to see Sam emerge from the depths of the alley.

Motherfucker.

Sam grins at me as he prowls forward. “That was too easy,” he croons. “I’m a little disappointed. I thought for sure the mighty Malakai Thorne would be harder to take out, but I really shouldn’t be too surprised.” His hands hang loosely at his sides, his green magic sparking at his fingertips.

I give him a feral smile, making sure my fangs are visible. What I wouldn’t give to rip out this fucker’s throat. “Glad to disappoint.” I’d bow, but his magic holding me in place prevents me from doing so. Instead, I nod my head and give him a wink. I glance behind me, keeping tabs on the shifter with the dagger. “Thanks for the blade,” I say to him. “I was in the market for a new one.”

His soft growl makes me chuckle. This is too much fun.

A secretive smile plays about Sam’s lips. “You shouldn’t be so cocky. Even if you crossed the finish line now, you wouldn’t win. You’d be missing the key piece.”

Dread forms like a lead ball in my stomach. The key piece. Ellis. What is he saying? I keep my cocksure smile in place, not giving him any sign of my worry. Shrugging my shoulders the best I can in his magic net, I say, “You couldn’t keep her before. Why do you think you could keep her now?”

Sam’s grin slips, and I see him for what he really is. The man who raped and abused Ellis. It’s in his eyes and the lack of emotion in them. It’s in his smile and the chilling curve of his lips. It’s in the over inflated ego and lack of conscience. This man is a real monster.

My friends and I may get that label. We may do things that border the line between humanity and evil, but we’re not monsters. Sam is. And if he somehow got his hands on Ellis again, it’s time for me to go. As much as I want to stay and drain him of his blood, I need to move.

Fingering the rings on my thumb, I subtly twist one metal band until it clicks into place with another. A burst of energy erupts from the ring, interfering with Sam’s magic, and giving me the opening I need to move.

“As pleasant as this has been, I have a challenge to win.” I grin at Sam as I say, “See you on the other side.”

I flip him off and jump, putting as much power as I can into it, and I’m barely able to grasp the edge of the six-story building next to me. Grunting, I pull myself up and dash across the roof, leaping to the next building as fast as I can.

Sam’s curses and shouts follow me from below. “Motherfucker!” he yells. “Track him. Do not let him get away.”

Sam’s insistence on catching me gives me hope. If he had Ellis, there is no way he would waste time hunting me down. If he’s trying so hard to stop me, it has to mean he’s trying to keep me from crossing the finish line and winning this first challenge. Unfortunately, that also means I now have to evade him and his shifter friend.

I crouch low on the roof, listening to their footsteps and angry muttering below me. Different plans form in my mind as I try to figure out the best course of action. Jumping from roof to roof is too noticeable. My best chance is to get back on the ground and in the shadows. But how to get there?

I spot a random brick on the roof, and an idea comes to me. Snagging it in my gloved hand, I carefully peer over the edge. Both Sam and the shifter are looking away. Perfect. I throw the brick with all my strength, aiming for the roof across the street. It lands with a thud and draws both of their attention away from me and the building I’m on. As they rush to the other building, I run to the other side of the roof and throw myself over the edge.

It’s a rough landing, the jump higher than I should have made. It’s like being hit by a freight train, and as the impact reverberates through me, I curse. Fucking hell, I’ll be feeling that later, fast healing or not. Forcing myself from my crouch with gritted teeth, I peer around the corner before running for the next. I continue this way for three blocks, with no sign of Sam, or anyone else for that matter. It’s not until I slip into an alley that I run into more trouble.

My senses pick up on movement, and I skid to a stop a second before a blade flies past my head and clatters against the stone wall. Chest heaving, I glance around and spot a man standing in the shadows, dressed in all black with a hood casting his face in darkness. Black blades, strapped to every inch of his body, glint the sunlight streaming between the buildings. Assassin. Excitement bubbles up in me, my adrenaline kicking into high gear. Sam was a worthy appointment, but an assassin? It must be my lucky day. If only I had time to play.

The assassin moves, gliding through the shadows like he owns them. A second blade appears in his hand as if by magic, and I grin, letting my heart rate slow down and emptying my mind of all other distractions. I pull my own daggers from my thigh sheaths, and rush forward, throwing a dagger at the same time. The assassin bats it from the air with his blade like it was nothing more than an annoying gnat. Impressive.

When I’m within striking distance of him, I drop to my knees, ignoring the bite of pain, and let my momentum pull me past him. With supernatural speed and strength, I twist my body backward, swiping out with my blade, and slicing through his hamstrings. He falls, and before he can throw his own dagger, I’m on him. My teeth sink into his neck, his warm blood coating my tongue and sliding down my throat. I don’t let myself feed, though. As much as I need to, I don’t have the time. And his blood tastes like shit. I rip out his throat and spit onto the pavement before I turn back to the mouth of the alley.

I’m only one block from the finish line. Scanning constantly, I keep to the shadows and slink down the street. Movement to my left catches my attention, and I slip into the darkened doorway of an office building. Another contestant emerges from the shadows across the street and makes a dash for the finish line. He doesn’t make it. A massive dog is upon him before he can react.

Holy fuck. A faerie dog. Kennedy wasn’t joking when he said this would be dangerous.

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