Page 39 of Marked By Night

Finally, we cross the threshold of the park, pushing past the protesting security guards, and hop over the turnstiles, narrowly escaping our pursuers. Still, I can’t help but peek over my shoulder before we delve into the crowd. The sight of eyes sends shivers down my spine as they watch our movements through the trees. More gunshots ring out and more magic flies as they seem to turn on each other.

Interesting.

“Looks like the Elites only play nice when it benefits them. It’s going to be a bloodbath out there with the Light Weavers involved,” Kaos says, noting the same thing I did. He discreetly tucks his gun away at the same time Dante shakes his hands out, making their glow disappear as we pass some unsuspecting festival goers and we silently blend into the crowd.

“The blow that hit me wasn’t meant to kill, only to maim. Thankfully there wasn’t enough juice behind it to take me down. Which means they want all of us alive,” Dante says. His words send chills down my spine despite the sweat rolling down it from exertion.

People are after us, and I don’t even knowwhy, but I intend to find out. Even if it’s the last thing I do. I protect the people I care about.

18

Sadie

Kaos overtakes the lead as we sprint toward the backstage area that’s so well hidden, I’d likely never have found it on my own. The bouncer guarding the gate doesn’t even spare us a second glance as he lifts the latch, holding his arm out to allow us entry.

The workers scurry around backstage carrying props and checking wires as they frantically try to keep the show running. One crewmember even has two guitars strapped to his back as he heads up the stairs leading to the stage. Another lady checks her clipboard feverishly every few seconds, like a nervous tick. I bet she’s the scheduler everyone is now mad at.

We search everywhere for the tour bus but it’s nowhere to be found, and I’m starting to get super frustrated. We’ve asked several workers, but they keep walking, muttering vague directions that make no sense, even to Dante and Kaos.

Trust me, the urge to start knocking heads is strong. I finally decide that’s the best course of action until I spot a familiar head of blonde hair, standing out amongst the sea of black-clad workers. The guitarist for Brandon’s band, Wicked Unrest rushes past us like a man on a mission.

“Hey, Danny, wait up!” I call out. He turns, sees me and my entourage, and stops, shooting a confused look over my head.

“I’m looking for my sister, Ashley,” I say between breaths. Running for my life has made me realize I need to work on my cardio. “She has brown hair, and she’s wearing a short black skirt with a—”

“Oh, you mean that hot groupie chick Brandon’s obsessed with for some stupid reason?” he interrupts with a sneer. I nod, biting my tongue to keep from giving him an attitude adjustment. “Yeah, they got on the bus about fifteen minutes ago, but I wouldn’t disturb them if I were you.”

I shake my head. “Will you take me there? It’s an emergency.”

He eyes me dubiously like he’s expecting me to be some obsessed groupie chick with some sob story about meeting Brandon Luck. One warning rumble from Kaos has him scurrying off.

“Your fucking funeral,” he mutters under his breath.

We walk in silence as he leads us through the maze of the backstage area until we reach a large tour bus with their logo printed on the outside. The band’s smiling faces stare down at me. It’s kind of creepy.

I open my mouth to thank the guitarist when he interrupts me. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, baby doll.” My mouth snaps closed. What a dick.

Spinning away from him, I wrench open the tour bus door and a loud cry of pleasure reaches my ears, a couple of grunts, and a lot of smacking sounds. I sigh heavily. There are some things you should never have to know about your best friend, and their sex noises are one of them.Top of the list too.

Dante snickers, and I shoot him a look that makes him cover his ears as Ash screams over and over in ecstasy, getting louder with every passing second.

“La, la, la. I hear nothing,” he says.

I smack his arm. “Smartass.”

The ugly green monster in me wants to rear her nasty head, but I shove her back down. I’m not ready to lie down and accept this mate thing yet, anyway. I want to get to know them before I go in blind like an idiot. Life has taught me to be cautious. Fate and I tend to not get along because I make my own damn decisions.

“Stay here while I go get her.”

The bus itself is super swanky, but I pay it no mind. There’s no time. I head toward the direction the sounds are coming from and jerk the master bedroom door open.

Damn, I really should have taken Danny’s advice.

Brandon’s bare bum is the first sight to greet me as he thrusts into my bestie like a screen door bangs against the frame in a windstorm. Then there’s Ash, who is laying on the bed, totally spread eagle under him with her head thrown back in a look of pure bliss. He’s slamming into her like his life depends on it until he finishes with a guttural grunt. Gross. I quickly cover my eyes with my hand, but I can’t help to peek through my fingers like I’m watching a cheesy horror movie.

I must make a noise though because Brandon turns around. “Is there something I can do for you, darling? As you can see, we’re about to start round two.”

My eyes bulge, probably making me look like one of those freaky toys you squeeze, and their little googly eyes pop out as his already re-hardening length jumps at me. I kind of feel bad for interrupting their moment, then I remember I’m being hunted by powerful magical beings and that snaps me out of my guilt.

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