Page 63 of Echo
I turned on my heel and ran. I didn’t bother trying to get my wits about me. The direction I ran in didn’t matter. If I got lost, Echo would know how to get me home. He knew these woods better than anyone.
“Ten,” he announced loudly behind me. I pushed my body as hard as it would go, knowing I needed every bit of space I could get. “Nine.”
The cool mountain air made shivers roll through me, but not as much as the howling coming from behind me. A stupid smile came onto my face as I dodged trees.
It was freeing to know that no matter how I struggled the monster would catch me. But that I’d make him fight for it. That he was willing to work for it.
I wasn’t supposed to stand and be strong. I was safe to let my instincts take control.
“Eight,” echoed off the trees.
Echo’s loud hooves dashed off, and my heart thundered. He wasn’t going to do the entire countdown?
The desperate cry of a bear’s last breath to my right told me where he went. That even as we played our games, he’d protect me.
“Seven.” His voice came from the general direction of where he started.
The adrenaline coursing through my veins from the attack enjoyed the run, even as the big muscles of my thighs burned. Nodoubt, every inch of my body would hurt in the morning once it wore off, but for now, I’d ride the high it gave me.
What would my punishment be for calling out another man’s name as I came?
I hadn’t let him finish his warning before.
His dark chuckle bounced off the trees and made my nipples grow taunt and sensitive. “Six.”
He needed to learn how to properly count down. The seconds were too long. Why was I complaining? It gave me more time.
Branches scraped my arms as I passed, and hot fluid dripped down my sweaty skin. It didn’t matter; a few scrapes were nothing compared to what was behind me.
“Five.”
“Four,” I yelled out to push my boundaries. Like a child testing their father.
“Three.” Amusement managed to come through on the echo of his voice.
I’d lost time, pushing him, but it made my smile grow. I knew that would pass. Echo would have to do something to scare me, but I looked forward to seeing how he’d get the fear going again.
“Two.”
This was it. Ready or not…
“One.”
Chapter 25:
Myheadstartmeantnothing.
Sounds of hoofs on the ground were loud, and too many to be just him. Like there was an entire army of mimics on my ass. He’d mentioned there were ten of them, including his brother. Was there really nine on the property?
Was that how he was everywhere?
Fuck.
Icy fear filled my veins.
Wait, I shouldn’t have heard him moving at all. I could only hear him when he wanted me to. The hunter slinked through the woods without notifying his prey. Was he just messing with me?
He was.
