Page 69 of Come Fill Me

He blinked at the blood. It was everywhere, dripping from the stronghold’s ceiling and walls. More of it pooled on the floors.

His men bolted down the hall, firing at something behind…someone who chased them. Zeke strained to see details but couldn’t. With each round fired, bright light burst from the weapons’ muzzles.

One of his men fell, the round hitting him in his leg. The others reached for him, but the continuing gunfire drove them back. Bullets ripped into the floor and walls, splintering the wood, leaving gouges in the stone.

Zeke stared at the man who lay face down on the floor. Another bullet tore through his shoulder. The next through his back. Blood poured from the wounds, dirtying his hair. He wore it longer than the other men, as long as—

Jacob!

Liz.Zeke’s mind screamed her name. She didn’t hear. Her back was to Zeke as she faced Carreon. Not here but in the man’s stronghold. He and Liz were in the same room Zeke had seen in his previous visions. They stood near a fireplace he’d tried to describe to her but couldn’t. He saw its conical shape now. Its beige color.

The way Liz gestured told Zeke that she was pleading with Carreon, trying to placate him. To spare her father’s life? Carreon’s expression remained neutral, not giving away what he thought or planned.

No. Liz, don’t. Stop!

Zeke gasped as she moved into Carreon, caressing him, running her fingers over his cheek. He smiled, stroking her hair in return. As she kissed his jaw, his hands edged up. In a flash, they were on her throat, squeezing, his face contorted with rage.

Zeke blinked rapidly, his body shuddering at what he’d seen. Jacob hit. Liz at Carreon’s stronghold. She couldn’t have gotten out of this place. Carreon’s men couldn’t be forcing her to lead them here. It was impossible.

He turned the key, unlocking the door. Liz stared at his tee, damp with sweat. She hurried across the room to him. “What’s wrong?”

Jacob was going to die. Carreon’s men were going to exterminate their clan. They were coming. He could feel it. Never before had his visions shown him a loved one dying. When he’d seen Liz’s murder, she’d been a stranger. He loved her now and yet he still saw Carreon killing her and Jacob’s death too.

“Zeke.” She grabbed his biceps, shaking him.

He dropped the snacks and grabbed her upper arm. “Come with me.”

“To where?”

“A place you’ll be safe.”

“From whom? Have you and Jacob been arguing again?”

His brother was going to die because of Zeke’s stupidity and obstinance. He’d kept Liz here when he shouldn’t have. He’d traded Jacob’s life for hers without even knowing it, without being able to save her. He had to change that.

“Zeke.”

He pulled her down the hall to a flight of stairs leading to the upper level. Taking them two at a time, Zeke forced Liz to keep up.

“Where’s Jacob?” she cried.

“This isn’t about him wanting you.”

“Then why are you doing this?”

Zeke stopped in the center of the hall, placing his hand on the wood paneling. With a subdued whoosh, it opened, revealing a small room inside. He pushed Liz into it.

She staggered back then regained her footing and boltedtoward him, blocking the door with her arm so it wouldn’t close. “What are you doing? What’s happened?”

“Carreon’s men are coming.”

Horror flooded her features. “You had a vision?”

Zeke swallowed. “You’ll be safe in here.” If he were very lucky, she wouldn’t discover the apparatus that allowed her to escape. “There’s no way for you to get out,” he lied. “Stay put until I come back for you.”

She cried, “What else did your vision show?”

“Only that Carreon’s men would get into the tunnel. That’s it,” he continued to lie. “After my men kill or capture them, we’ll be able to learn all that we can from the survivors. Without protection, Carreon won’t be a threat to my clan any longer. My people will be able to rescue your father.”