Page 93 of Sin & Secrets

I crack my neck. The beast is blocking the hallway to the back exit.

Every second I’m delayed is just opening the window for Cas’ abductors.

I launch myself at him, feigning a left hook, but kicking out at his knees at the last second. I’m betting that someone with such impressive upper body strength might have missed leg day.

To my dismay, the beast only wobbles. But Teo coordinates his own attack, slamming his foot into the beast’s chest and toppling him over.

“Let’s go!” I yell as I try to leap over his body.

But an arm snatches at my leg at the last second.

I grunt as I fall to my knees, trying to shake off the beast’s grip. But shy of dislocating my own leg, there’s no way out.

I change tactics, flipping over and kicking out with my free leg, planting my heel directly in his face.

He grunts in pain, but his grip doesn’t waver.

“Vitale! Find her!” I yell out as my foot smashes through his teeth.

Teo doesn’t need to be told twice. He leaps over where we’re scrambling on the floor and flies out the door.

I curse with the effort of my next kick to the beast's skull. Finally, finally, his grip loosens and I don’t waste the opportunity to free myself.

I throw myself on top of him, pinning his arms down with my knees.

“WHERE ARE THEY TAKING HER?”

The first blow dislocates his jaw. His legs kick up in an attempt to push me off, but I hold fast.

“WHERE ARE THEY TAKING HER?”

The second blow breaks his nose, perhaps his skull. His legs stop moving.

“WHERE ARE THEY TAKING HER?”

The third blow lands with a sickening squelch.

All resistance in his body dies.

Panting, I regard my bloodied hands with indifference. The only remorse I can muster is that I didn’t get an answer from him.

I stand, half-staggering toward the exit because that fucker really did a number on my leg.

But when I open the door, it’s to be met with a cool midnight breeze.

And Teo, holding Cas’ leather jacket with tears in his eyes.

24

CASSANDRA

Thump thump, thump thump.

My eyelids feel like lead as I try to pry them open. Panic was already setting into my bones before the memories emerged from my too-foggy brain.

I was singing. The lights went out. There were gunshots. Then Mia was there. She was trying to get me to safety.

And then…

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