Page 12 of Asher
“This is your fault,” I snapped, stepping closer. “If you hadn’t?—”
“If I hadn’t what? Saved your life?” he interrupted, his tone mockingly sweet.
I hated the way my stomach twisted at his words.
“Let me guess,” he continued, circling me like a predator toying with its prey. “You’re wondering why I didn’t let them take you out. Why I didn’t finish the job myself.”
I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening. “I don’t care what your reasons are.”
“Liar,” he said softly, his smirk fading.
For a split second, something flickered in his eyes. Something almost human. Before I could respond, the sound of footsteps shattered the moment.
“Over here!” a voice called, too close for comfort.
Gael cursed, grabbing my arm again. “Time to go, hunter.”
I didn’t resist this time.
We sprinted through the courtyard, weaving between parked cars and dumpsters, the hunters’ voices growing louder behind us.
My body moved on autopilot, adrenaline drowning out everything else.
At one point, Gael grabbed a metal trash can and hurled it into the path of our pursuers, the loud crash momentarily slowing them down.
We rounded a corner, and I spotted a fire escape ladder hanging just within reach.
“There!” I pointed, and Gael nodded, already leaping up to grab it.
I followed, the cold metal biting into my hands as we climbed. My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear the shouts below.
We reached the roof, and I collapsed onto the gravel, gasping for air. Gael stood at the edge, peering down at the street below.
“They’re regrouping,” he said, his tone grim. “We’ve got maybe two minutes.”
“Perfect,” I muttered, dragging myself to my feet.
My gaze lingered on him longer than it should have. His expression was focused, determined, but there was something else there too.
Something I couldn’t place.
Why did he hesitate earlier? Why did he save me? And why the hell did I care?
“Ready for round two?” he asked, turning to face me.
His smirk was back, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Let’s just get this over with,” I replied, forcing my voice to stay steady.
Gael nodded, and for a brief moment, we stood there, side by side, two enemies forced into an uneasy alliance.
The hunters wouldn’t stop until one of us was dead. No. Until both of us were dead.
One look at Declan’s face told me he was the kind of guy who wouldn’t listen to reason. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.
For now, Gael and I were temporary allies. But once this chase was over, we’d finally settle our grudge.
GAEL
