Page 100 of Amber Gambler

“I amnotthe kind of girl you sweep off her feet unless you want to get kicked in the face.”

Had I believed for one hot minute it would speed things along, she couldn’t have stopped me.

Adrenaline made impossible things possible. It also let you believe impossible things were possible.

Like I could sprint fast enough, holding her, to outrun her teeth tearing into my throat. Because startling a redcap with a taste for my blood in her mouth, boosting her closer to my carotid, wasn’t the brightest idea in hindsight. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t have done it. I just would have paid the price for it later.

The parking lot at the hotel was only half full, which made it easy to notice the lack of Chevelle in it.

“Any update from Badb?” I threw off my seat belt and opened the door on rolling pavement. “Kierce?”

Head cocking to one side, he listened, but then he shook his head. “She’s not close enough.”

“Would she have gone inside?” Carter stole a handicapped space. “The exterior doors are automatic.”

“Definitely.” I jumped out with a stumble. “She’s an old pro at sneaking in and out of places.”

Smart as she was, she would have stood outside Matty’s door and pecked if that was what it took to warn him.

We burst into a lobby in chaos as a maid and a desk clerk swiped the air with a mop and a broom.

“What the actual hell?” Carter watched them bolt down the hall. “Have they lost their minds?”

A single feather tumbled end over end onto the mat in front of the elevators. “Badb was here.”

“She rode the elevator up,” Carter said, her tone making it plain she wanted confirmation.

“Looks that way.” I jabbed the button, growling as the numbers ticked down. “Come on, come on.”

I wedged myself in the crack before the doors fully opened, and I didn’t wait on Kierce or Carter before I started mashing the button for our floor. They rushed in as the doors began closing. Carter looked at me like I was nuts, but Kierce only searched for more signs Badb had come this way.

As soon as the car ground to a halt, I was in the hall, banging my shoulder on the way out.

I ran. As hard and as fast as I could. I ran.

Regardless of my speed, the room where Matty had been sat just as empty as it would have had I walked there.

“Matty.” I ransacked the space, checking every inch of it.“Matty.”

A weak, garbled noise perked my ear, and I dropped to my knees beside the bed. I planted my palms flat on the carpet and pressed my cheek against it, praying he had somehow wiggled underneath. But it wasn’t him.

The bloody trail leading to a broken body ended in a mound of black feathers.

“Badb.”Hitting the carpet on my chest, I used my hands to scoop her across my palms. “Hey, girl.” I kept my hands steady as I wriggled back, drawing her clear with me. “What did he do to you?”

Static raised the hairs down my arms as Kierce prowled through the door with electric eyes.

“Harrow took Matty.” His voice doubled and redoubled until my ears rang. “Badb tried to stop him.”

“He did this to her?” I heard my shock. “Are you sure?”

If Harrow had been working with Lyle or Armie or both without us knowing, then there might be someone else in the mix too.

“She was attacked from behind when she flew in to scout for Matty. They tossed a towel over her to blind her then threw her down and stomped on her. She doesn’t remember how she got under the bed.”

“Her left wing is broken, and she’s bleeding from her abdomen.” I held her up and out for Kierce to take her, then got to my feet. I hated to leave them, but I had other priorities. “I have to check on Josie.”

“Go.” He cradled the crow against his chest. “I’ll take care of Badb.”

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