Page 64 of Kiss the Dawn
“Bella just called back,” Ordell said from the doorway, back from his search. “Apparently, they’re out of meds. Dash was meant to replace them, but he forgot. She’s not happy. Threatened to come home but Dash and I calmed her down. I’ll need to pop out to the store and?—”
“Go.” I shooed him off. “I can keep an eye on them till you get back.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
He grabbed his keys off the table. “I won’t be long.” He blew me a kiss then looked at his hand and made a face. “I best wash up first.”
I bit back a giggle.
He left, and I went back to cleaning, which didn’t take too long. I checked on the kids, then dipped into the kitchen to wash my hands and get a bottle of water.
It was a beautiful room, designed with an old cottage vibe that had a cozy feel to it. I loved the double sink, a deep ceramic affair, and the kitchen table, which was made of warm redwood that looked like it had been beautifully handmade and…When had it gotten so quiet? A prickle skated over my skin. The TV must have turned itself off. I set the bottle on the counter just as a shadow moved in reflection on the window. Oh…Oh no…
A low growl broke the silence, and I turned slowly to face the creature in the doorway. Four feet tall and covered in hair, it stared at me with bloodshot hazel eyes.
Two more like it filled the space behind it.
Three little monsters.
Oh God.
Oh fucking God.
Chapter 23
My heart stopped for a moment as I registered what and who I was seeing.
The triplets.
They’d changed.
They were cursed too, but it wasn’t a full moon.
It didn’t matter right now. I was alone with three beasts. Small beasts, but beasts nonetheless, and I could not, would not hurt them.
A calm settled over me as I formulated a plan.
They inched into the room, deliberate and predatory, spreading out to flank me.
A pack.
Great.
“Aidan, Aaron, Ava, I know you’re still in there. That you can hear me. You don’t want to hurt me.”
The middle one, which if the PJ bottoms wereanything to go by was Aaron, lowered his head and snarled viciously.
Great. Just fucking great.
Okay. Focus…
They edged closer, and I readied myself to make the jump, that if I calculated correctly would clear me of attack and?—
They pounced. I leapt. Onto the table and out the door. I ran into the sitting room, scooped up my phone, then barreled straight into the dining room, through an arch, and into the corridor that led to the back door.
Snarls and growls followed, but my head start gave me an advantage. I made it to the door, grabbed the key, and slipped outside, slamming it shut and locking it. The whole thing shuddered with an impact from within a moment later.
