Page 20 of Vampire Bite

“Once we’re in,” I whispered to them, “we stick to the outer halls, use the shadows. They’re on high alert from that breach earlier.”

Callum nodded. I glanced over at Annika. Her jaw was set, her breathing controlled but deep. This was new ground for her, but she didn’t falter. Whatever fear she might have felt, she buried it deep, letting only that raw determination shine through.

We entered through a side door, creeping into the stale, cold air of the factory. The place reeked of old oil and rust, a faint metallic tang that stung the nose. Inside, every step felt louder than it was, but we moved forward in a tight line. My eyes darted to catch any movement. We couldn’t allow ourselves to be the ones caught off guard. I could feel Annika’s presence behind me, steady and strong.

The sound of a shifter’s growl echoed from somewhere down the hall, and we froze, waiting. My senses flared, and I motioned to the others. One breath, two breaths. The growl faded, and we moved again, faster this time, cutting through corridors until we reached the east wing.

“Almost there,” I murmured back to Annika, catching her gaze. She gave a quick nod, her expression focused, and it onlystrengthened my resolve. This was it. We were almost there, and there was no turning back.

We crept closer to the east wing, every instinct on high alert. I could hear muffled sounds from ahead. Whispers, the quiet scrape of boots. The prisoners were close.

I turned to Callum, gesturing for him to fan out with Lena and the others. They nodded and slipped off, moving into positions we’d mapped out before. Annika stayed by my side, her hand resting near the small knife I’d given her. She looked at me, her eyes a little wider now that we were so close to the danger. I gave her a quick, reassuring nod, then pressed on.

Finally, we reached the door to the holding area, slightly ajar. I pushed it open slowly, just enough to see inside. A handful of shifters stood guard over the prisoners, who were huddled in the far corner, their expressions hollow. I knew that feeling well, but I banished it from my mind. I had to focus.

“Stay here,” I whispered to Annika, though part of me already knew she wouldn’t. Her eyes flashed, but she nodded. I took a deep breath, then slipped into the room.

One guard’s back was to me, his stance bored, as if this was just another night on the job. They all shapeshifted into humans. I guessed it was a small courtesy for the prisoners, to take the least frightening shape.

Without thinking, I lunged forward, taking the guard down before he even had time to register the threat. I glanced back to see Annika at the doorway, watching. She met my eyes and, despite the tension, gave me a small, determined nod.

Callum and the others moved in from their positions, taking out the remaining guards in quick, quiet succession. It was over in seconds. The prisoners looked up at us with stunned faces, hope creeping in where I was sure it hadn’t been for a long time.

I motioned for them to follow, and they moved quickly, some leaning on each other as they shuffled forward. I glanced back to Annika, and she was already by my side, helping one of the weaker prisoners to his feet.

“Let’s go,” I murmured, leading the way out, but not before catching the sound of footsteps from down the hall. Shifters, moving fast. My blood chilled.

Just as we rounded the last corner, a sharp, guttural growl echoed from behind us. I froze, instinct kicking in. The shifters had found us.

“Move, now!” I barked at the prisoners, my voice low but forceful.

Callum grabbed one of them who’d stumbled, dragging him forward, and I shoved Annika ahead, sparing her only a brief glance. Her eyes widened. I could see fear in them, but she kept going, helping one of the weaker captives forward.

Behind us, the footsteps grew louder, closing in fast. I spun around, hoping to buy us some time, and came face-to-face with two of the shifters—a hulking pair, each with cruel smiles splitting their faces.

These didn’t have the courtesy to be in human form.

One lunged at me, claws flashing in the dim light. I sidestepped, grabbing his wrist and twisting it hard enough to snap bone. He howled, and I took the opportunity to slam him against the wall, knocking him out cold. The second one was on me before I could breathe, but I dodged his strike, barely.

“Lucas!” Annika’s voice called out, and I felt a surge of relief. She was still moving, still pushing the prisoners forward.

“Keep going!” I shouted over my shoulder. “Get them out of here. I’ll catch up.”

I could hear her hesitation, but there was no time. The shifter in front of me let out a snarl, charging me again. I let him come, waiting until he was close enough to strike, then slammedmy fist into his ribs, hard. He staggered, hissing, and I followed up with a quick, brutal strike to his neck.

With both shifters down, I turned and sprinted back down the hall, heart pounding. Catching up to Annika and the prisoners, I could see them nearly at the exit, the night air filtering in, cool and clear. But before we could reach it, another growl cut through the darkness—more of them, this time in front of us.

Damn it.

The shifters blocked our only exit, their eyes glinting with a cruel, eager hunger as they closed in. Behind us, more footsteps echoed down the corridor. We were caught in the worst possible position. It was an ambush on both sides.

My mind raced, assessing our options. There weren’t many.

“Back up, slowly,” I murmured to Annika and the others, keeping my eyes on the shifters. I could feel her tension, her quick breaths beside me. She clutched the knife I’d given her, her knuckles turning pale against its hilt.

“Stay behind me,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady. “If I tell you to run, don’t argue. Just go.”

She looked at me, but she didn’t argue.

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