Page 47 of The Mist of Stars

My gaze snaps in that direction where several pairs of yellow, glowing eyes pierce the night like fireflies. Except, they’re not fireflies. They’re deadly cloaked creatures, the same kind that came into my house.

“Death walkers,” I breathe out, fog circling my face as I take a step back, bending over to grab my dagger that’s tucked into my boot?—

Fingers wrap around my arm, and then I’m being pulled backward.

I spin around, nearly tripping over my feet, my arms flailing to protect myself. But Alex has a hold of me. That brings me a drop of relief as I run with him, sprinting toward his car. Laylen is with Aislin a few steps ahead of us, their feet hammering at the now frosted ground as they run, too.

No one speaks as we pile into the car, cursing under our breaths as we bump into each other in the chaos. But we manageto get in quickly then peel out of the parking lot with a wave of ice crackling behind us.

As I watch through the back window in horror, I see the creatures creeping back into the shadows of the night, but as the chill of coldly death lingers in the air, I know they’re not gone.

They’re merely waiting.

But, for what?

That’s what I need to find out, and fast, before I end up living in a world like what I saw in my nightmare of a vision.

14ALEX

I had a feeling the monsters would return, but I wish they hadn’t caught me off guard. I was trained better than this. I’m too distracted. By this murder. By the visions.

By her.

She ended up in the passenger seat, and Aislin and Laylen piled into the back seat. I’m lucky my engine didn’t freeze over, but the air inside the cab still hasn’t entirely thawed.

“They’re going to keep coming after me,” Gemma abruptly states, breaking the silence. “I think maybe you guys should drop me off at my house and bail.”

“No way.” Aislin slants forward and glares at her. “Don’t be dumb.”

“I’m not trying to be dumb.” She looks at me for help. “It’s better for you three to be safe than all of us to be in danger.”

I grip the steering wheel tighter. “Why are you looking at me? I agree with Aislin. Don’t be dumb.”

“I’m not being dumb. I’m trying to protect you guys.” She gestures at the back window. “Whatever is going on clearly has to do with me.”

“So? Everything that happens in this world—good and bad—has to do with someone,” I throw back at her. “It doesn’t mean we bail—we’re keepers.”

“So am I.” She squares my shoulders. “I was trained to take care of myself.”

My gaze flicks to her forehead, at the remnants of the wound she got earlier. “I know, but I’m still not bailing on you.”

“Alex,” she gripes, “stop letting your ego cloud your judgment.”

“It’s not my ego,” I snap at her. “I care too much about you to leave you to defend yourself.”

I so did not mean to say that aloud. With how much she loathes me, the last thing I need to be doing is making declarations like that. I could retract it, but the last time I attempted to do that, I came off like a frat boy pro douchebag.

Her lips part then shut. Then she stares at me, clearly struck speechless.

“It’s decided then,” Aislin chimes in as she reclines back in the seat. “We’re all sticking together.”

“Fine.” Gemma turns toward the window and stares at the trees lining the road we’re driving down. She doesn’t argue further, but I know her well enough that I’m aware she may go rogue and take off. She’s always been a bit self-sacrificing, even when it comes to something as simple as going out with a guy who she doesn’t have feelings for.

We make the rest of the drive in pure and utter silence. It’d be eerie except for the electrical bite of this connection Gemma and I share. It’s becoming so intoxicating that breathing is becoming difficult. My body is also begging to touch her, kiss her, even just hold her hand. A slight touch—it’s all about touch, as if the current seeks its counterpart.

I grip the wheel, my palms damp with sweat, as I steer around the winding turns of the road that twists higher intothe mountains and farther away from civilization. The trees are shadowy blurs that blend in with the night, and it’s terrifying to think that anything could be hiding out there.

“Their eyes were glowing, right?” I ask, startling Gemma so severely that she jolts.

---