Page 110 of Dead End

Chief Garcia snapped her fingers. “Leo, we’re up.”

“This is the best day ever.” Leo grabbed Camryn’s waist and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. Then he rushed to his vehicle, leaving Camryn in a daze.

“Those bastards are going to destroy Wild Acres,” West said in a terse tone.

“No, they’re just announcing their arrival,” I replied.

Gun scoffed. “There’s no need for that. This isn’t an airport.”

Josie stalked through the gate. “What are we waiting for? These gods aren’t going to kill themselves.”

“If only,” Gun muttered.

“Not to give false hope,” Camryn said, “but I read our cards this morning and nobody dies.”

West cocked an eyebrow. “Not that I doubt your abilities, but how is that possible?”

Camryn shrugged. “How should I know? I’m just the messenger.”

Kane’s gaze flicked to Kami, clearly hopeful the prophecy goddess would support Camryn’s claim. The petite goddess, however, seemed oblivious to the conversation. Her focus was on the smoke-filled forest as her fingers gripped the strap of her messenger bag.

I held Camryn’s words close to my chest. As the liminal deity of these crossroads, any blood spilled today would be on my hands, regardless of what anybody else said.

Kane eyed the large group. “We should split up. Half the group to the crossroads and half to the Falls.”

“Why the Falls?” Alessandro asked.

“Because of the magical energy it pumps out,” Josie answered. “Some of the gods will be drawn to its power. The rest will go to the crossroads to try to secure it.”

My breath shortened as I formed my next words. “You lead the group to the Falls,” I told Kane. “I’ll take the crossroads.” As much as I wanted us to stay together, I knew he was right to divide our strength between the two groups.

“My thoughts as well.” I heard the unspoken fear in his tone. “Stay safe, Lorelei.” He palmed the back of my head and pulled me in for a kiss that could’ve melted glass. An explosion of sensations followed as my body surrendered to the moment.

Alessandro leaned against the side of my truck, grinning from ear to ear. “Do we all get kissed like that or is she special?”

Kane leveled him with a look as he released his hold on me. The incubus offered a sheepish grin in return.

“I’ll ride with Kane,” Josie said, as if anyone would’ve thought otherwise. The vampire was his right hand, right down to the bitter end.

I stopped myself. This wasn’t the end. It couldn’t be. We’d fought too hard. Loved too much. We deserved more time.

But I knew all too well that we didn’t always get the outcome we deserved.

“I have the flatbed of the truck available,” I said. “Whoever needs a lift can pile in.”

Alessandro immediately vaulted over the side. Max heaved himself onto the flatbed with a push from Hel. The werewolves split up amongst the two groups, as did the Wild Hunt.

“Wait, where’s Phaedra?” I asked.

West scratched his head. “Good question. She acknowledged the emergency text.”

If Phaedra Bridger were another witch, I might’ve chalked it up to pure selfishness, but I knew my friend better than that. If she wasn’t following protocol, then there was a very good reason.

“Xander, can you head to Bridger Farm and make sure she’s okay?” I asked.

The werewolf saluted me and shifted.

“Steer clear of the trails,” West called after him, but the wolf was already off and running.

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