Page 72 of Shifter Marked and Claimed

“Run, Zoe!” I yelled as the fist gripping my hair loosened. The giant went down hard, his head barely missing Sir Cuddles in rock form.

Instead of running, too, I pivoted to confront the other guy.

He hissed at me.

Hissed.

As in forked tongue.

“Shit.”

When snake-man reached for me, I fell to my knees and punched in between his legs.

He fell without a sound.

Zoe tugged at my shirt, bringing me to my feet. We ran toward the side yard.

“We need to get back in the house,” I panted. “They’re monsters.”

Even as I said it, I realized the problem. The front door was locked, and now the back door, where we’d left our would-be kidnappers, was wide open.

I swore under my breath and stopped on the front lawn, scrambling to come up with a plan. The car at the curb caught my attention. Maybe if they’d left the keys in it, we could—

Zoe made a choked sound, and I spun around to find the snake-guy had her by the throat. She clawed at his hands as he lifted her to her toes.

“Get in the car before I forget what the boss wants, and someone gets hurt.”

“Run,” Zoe rasped, still fighting. Still wanting me to fight.

“I’m going to kill her.” The halting, pained words from the backyard were filled with the promise of retribution…as soon as he could walk. He had no problem throwing from the backyard, though. Sir Cuddles, in rock form, came flying over our roof and narrowly missed me.

I looked at my sister, wanting to cry for us both. I knew I could run, but I would never leave her behind to save myself.

“Fine. I’ll get in the car. But only after you ease up your grip on my sister.”

He lifted Zoe high and dropped her. She fell in a heap, almost landing on the rock.

“The car,” he hissed when I moved toward Zoe.

Before I could decide if I should listen or try for the monster’s nuts again, our neighbor’s front door opened.

“Why are you on my lawn?” he asked, his smooth voice music to my ears.

“We’ll clean up when we’re done,” the snake-man said, sounding completely composed.

“That doesn’t answer my question,” our neighbor said, his gaze sliding to Zoe then me. I met it, uncaring of rules as I silently pleaded with him to do something.

His golden gaze held mine across the distance, and I felt a zing of energy almost compelling me to go to him. Like I belonged with him.

“No, it doesn’t,” the snake-man said, snapping me out of my near trance. “Take the hint and mind your own business.”

“What will you give me?” our neighbor asked, tearing his gaze from mine.

The snake-man seemed to notice because he glanced back at me with a vengeful smirk.

“I’ll give you a share.” He reached out and grabbed the back of my neck, pushing me past Zoe and toward our neighbor. “Ten minutes with this one. Watch your nuts, though. She’s a kicker.”

“You’re giving her to me?” my neighbor asked.

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