Page 60 of Veil of Shadows

Her eyes twitched. “Something that happened a long time ago.”

“Not what I asked.”

“Voss, I don’t want to ruin the moment.”

I shook my head softly. “You never could.”

I continued to trace the scar despite her wincing. I didn’t want her to be fearful of my touch. I didn’t want her to fear any part of my touch anywhere on her body.

I’d kill the people who marked her without her permission.

“A garotte attack,” she said softly.

Jesus, even I knew what that was. “You survived that?”

She shrugged. “If you can get your hand in the way quickly enough, most people can.”

Then she picked up her right wrist and showed me a matching, faded scar around the topside of her wrist.

“Caught me pretty good,” she said as she lowered her hand, “but I was better.”

“Who was it?” I asked.

“Huh?”

“The attack. Who attacked you?”

She shook her head. “Does that matter?”

My hardened stare found hers. “It does to me.”

Aaah-aaah-aaah-aaah-OOOOOOOOH!

The rhythmic howl and the rushing footsteps followed screams before a light so bright outside lit up the world like it was fucking noontime. And as Bexley ripped her head up from my body, I heard Ronyn’s rhythmic howl once more.

Aaah-aaah-aaah-aaah-OOOOOOOOH!

Jesus fucking Christ, we were under attack.

18

BEXLEY

“Alphaaaaaaa!”

The instant I heard that little girl scream, I scrambled out of bed like a bat out of fucking hell. I watched Voss twirl his finger over his head, and from out of nowhere, a white and green wisp covered him in the clothes that were once on the floor. I stumbled off the bed and whipped toward the first window. Voss already had the curtains open, and I leaned against the glass as yet another burst of light erupted across the sky.

“Fireballs,” Voss growled.

I used my dress to wipe between my legs. Jesus Christ, what I wouldn’t have given for just a sliver of their powers.

“Come on,” Voss snarled as he grabbed my hand, “we have to go.”

As I continued using the inside of the dress to wipe up the shit dripping down the insides of my thighs, I tripped over my feet as Voss tugged me outside. I abandoned my efforts and gnashed my teeth together as the two of us walked side by side as a war raged around us.

“Alpha! Heeeeelp!” Little Annabelle shrieked.

I took off running in the direction of her sound. I felt Voss try to grab onto my hand, but it was still slick with sweat. I racedtoward Annabelle, who was running from a flame trying to catch up with her as if the flame were somehow possessed. I scooped her into my arms and leapt out of the way as a rush of wind came barreling toward the fire. And in a flash, the flame was nothing more than smoke.