Page 93 of Unveil
My Luna could. She’d stand toe-to-toe with me and we’d both come out stronger, so long as I don’t break her wings. Helping her soar has always been the goal.
So why am I failing her every chance I?—
Wait.
My car is torched. Someone knows we’re here.
And I left Luna alone.
Fuck!
Everything comes back into focus, and for the first time, I see what might be the most chilling sign of all, high up on the closest tree by the smoldering skeleton of my car.
One swipe of fresh, dripping white paint streaks over the red underneath.
The Wildes.
I snatch my bolts, slotting one and filling my quiver with the rest, then take the most direct route I found while canvassing the area. It’s a straight shot descending the steepest slope, and I half-tumble, half-skate down the rain-slicked ridge, the grade so sheer I might as well be falling. My boots skid through wet dirt and moss, and my scarred hands tear as I catch myself on bark and branches to stay upright. Rain peppers my eyes, weighs down my jacket, and slips cold fingers down my spine, but I ignore it all because I’m this close to making sure Luna is?—
Bang—I snag a heavy branch, wrenching myself to a stop.
Another shot cracks the air.
My lungs seize before my adrenaline kicks into overdrive. I take deep breaths while molding the fear and terror into something useful, focusing on what I need to do to make sureLuna is safe, and leashing the predator within me so I don’t lose myself to wrath.
A desperate, heartbroken scream shatters me from the inside out. I’ve heard one like it a thousand times in my nightmares.
No!
It takes everything in me not to call out for her. The “name in the woods” lore is partly bullshit, but regardless, it’s dangerous to reveal yourself without knowing who’s around. A mistake like that could get me killed before I can save her.
I move silently, clinging to the forest’s shadows until the cabin peeks through the leaves. Then I drop into a crouch, crossbow at the ready. I only have so many bolts, so as much as I want to run in, crossbow blazing, I have to be smart about this and make every bolt count.
My breaths push against my sternum, wanting to escape, but I control them as best I can with my crazed heartbeat. When I finally manage to get feet from the mist-coated, warped window, my soul aches at the visual inside.
Blood smears Luna’s cheek and stains her feather bodice and tutu, nearly driving me feral over the thought that it’s hers.
But she cradles someone in her arms, rocking them.
Shit.
It’s Benoit.
He’s still as a corpse, sprawled over her and across the floorboards. Luna’s shoulders curl protectively over him, and tears trail in cleansing streaks down crimson-splattered cheeks.
This willruinher, and there won’t be a damn thing I can do to help her.
Don’t think about that. Help hernow.
Luna’s head lifts, and her eyes narrow as she drags them toward a man I didn’t see at first. His blond hair is a mess on his head, and he’s got a beard as thick as my father’s. His camo isa durable brand, but worn from obvious use. Like mine is back home. He’s not just from the land like I am. He’s a Wilde.
And he’s pointing his goddamn gun at mygirl.
“Did I hear you right?” the Wilde chuckles. “Did that Fury scum fuck a baby into you? Maybe I should end it before it begins.” He drops the gun down to her belly. “Sure would hate for you to be pregnant with another man’s baby at your wedding.”
Luna scowls. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
Pride and terror consume me as she boldly takes her eyes off the man threatening to kill her, shocking electric fear down my spine.
