Page 136 of Savage Fate

The portal shivered, and then Roman staggered out before it froze solid. “No one will be getting through that for the next day at least.” He wiped sweat from his pale forehead and blood from beneath his nose.

He’d obviously slipped by Fane with magic, or the witch wouldn’t have made it into the Underworld alive.

Barric gave a curt nod and shoved me toward Roman. “Keep an eye on her. Use magic if she tries anything.”

IfI tried anything?

Oh, I was definitely trying something. I wouldn’t go down without a fight.

The gateway in Bonaventure Cemetery had dropped us into the Underworld near Vlehull. Not many knew Logan had a houseon the outskirts of the city. If I could just get free of these mystical cuffs, I could shift and outrun them, even Barric.

As we trudged through the eerie forest that looked like something out of a gothic horror film, I gingerly twisted my wrists within the restraints. I’d gotten out of handcuffs before. They weren’t normally tight enough.

These weren’t either.

Roman noticed my movements and silently shook his head, his dark gaze flickering toward Barric and Roxie as they walked ahead.

“You’ll never make it,” he mouthed.

The witch clearly didn’t know shit about me. I usually went against the odds. And won.

Why would now be any different?

Because I’m not with you.

I ground my teeth at the Infernal Sol’s voice. Why was I letting a little rock torment me?

You know I’m much more than a rock, Tate.

Rage bled through my system, and I savagely yanked my right wrist out of the cuff.To hell with this.

My boots dug into the earth, and then I took off, sprinting toward the left. I zigzagged between black, twisted trees as my pulse thundered. But my energy still lagged with the other magical cuff fastened around me.

I had to get it off.

Shouts finally sounded behind me once Barric realized I was making a run for it. Had Roman delayed alerting him to give me a head start?

One cuff rattled while I attempted to yank off the other, but my sweaty fingers kept slipping. Pain throbbed through my hand as I struggled while dodging thorny briars. Branches tore at my clothes and snagged my hair.

Damn it!

Magic crackled behind me, and something wrapped around my ankle, yanking me back. I careened forward and slammed against the hard ground.

Crimson burst in my vision as blood spilled over my tongue.

I should have known escaping wouldn’t be that easy.

A grip on my arm registered before I was rolled onto my back to stare at the ebony sky.

“I told you to watch her.” Barric’s rough voice, full of anger, made me wince. “If she tries to escape again, you’ll be the next person strapped to a table.”

Roman appeared above me, his mouth pulling into a frown as sorrow swirled in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Tate.” He lifted his hand and blew Malefic ash in my face.

Shit.

The magic dust hit me, and it must have been extra strong because the forest instantly blurred. Darkness seeped around the edges of my vision as Roman lifted me in his arms.

“There is no escaping this,” he whispered as he followed Roxie and Barric through the eerie forest.

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