Page 169 of Hell Breaks Loose

Until I feel two grooves.

Digging into my bag, I fumble through the metallic contents until I feel the bracelet. The ring.

Fidgeting them into place, I press down.

Feel the click.

And hear a scream at the edge of the trees. Then another.

There’s so many of them.

Glittering eyes announce the first of them rushing into the open, shadowy figures sprinting at us, full tilt.

There’s no time for terror.

Just a pump of the shotgun in my hands.

A spray of pellets.

Alaya clips a few in the legs, taking them down. But there’s no way we stop them all.

Especially when I ratchet the last shell out of the chamber. Ora’s clip clicks.

Alaya’s too.

Reaching back, my fingers drag along the lip of the stone plinth. And it shifts back, then down with a low scraping noise.

Alaya whips out two batons, taking a step out in front to take the first of the attackers. Snapping across low, then back, she takes two at the knees, in the face.

Another from the side, and I kick out. Forcing the gaunt woman back, my fist connects with her cheek. The loud thwack over my shoulder tells me that Ora is likewise engaged.

We’re holding them off.

Keeping a semicircle of space between us and them as they regroup in the wake of our first vicious defense.

“Hell, you copy? I’m almost there.” Gavin’s voice clips over the mic.

All three of us lock eyes at the same moment.

“Shit! I told him to meet us here—” Alaya reaches for the radio.

And takes a flying kick to the head.

Her body goes down in a heap, unconscious. I hope so.

“LAYA!” Ora screams, but the distraction leaves an opening. Arms swoop in, grabbing her.

And I’m frozen to the spot.

Staring at the assailant who took Alaya down.

“E—Evan?” I breathe.

34

HELLENA

“Not even close.” The raspy, sibilant voice cuts through the darkness. “He’s mine again. My Angel of vengeance.”

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