Page 86 of The Secret of Pain

“Later.” He grins and then heads into the garden with the others.

Holy crap. I try to tamper my excitement at the possibilities and focus on enjoying the day with my dad. The door opens, and the man of the hour walks in.

“Hey, Dad, what’s up?”

“So many people,” he grumbles, but he’s smiling. “You know how much I hate surprises.”

“Oh, I know, but it’s your birthday. You can’t just let it pass you by.” I hug him quickly, because hugging is not a thing Denny Bennett does.

“I could have quite happily let it pass by, thank you very much.”

“Denny Bennett, you will stop your whining this instant,” Maddie says, tossing the towel in her hands down onto the counter. “Emily would have done it, and so she would have wanted me to do it. You know that as well as I do, so you are going to go back out there, socialize, and enjoy your birthday, dammit.”

I look at her wide-eyed before turning to my dad, who looks as shocked as I feel. Maddie never loses her cool.

“Yes, ma’am,” he says, swiping a brownie, making her roll her eyes.

“Denny?” Nate asks as his head pokes in the door and takes in the room. “Erm… maybe you should come back outside, Den.”

“Already on my way,” he says, grinning wider than I’ve seen in a while, and I laugh. The two of them look like scared little boys as Maddie stands with her hands on her hips, looking like she is not to be messed with.

This all seems so surreal. Like with the insanity of my life lately, this is almost normal and it’s weird as hell.

“Men. I swear, they don’t grow up, their toys just get more dangerous.” She rolls her eyes as she huffs. “Now then, sweetheart, why don’t you start taking this lot outside and grab those brothers of yours to help.”

“You got it!” I say with a grin and grab as many trays as I can without running the risk of dropping them, then back out of the kitchen into the yard. Music is playing, the sun is shining, and everyone looks so carefree. I don’t remember a time when everyone looked this relaxed. Kids are with sitters, so everyone is able to just let loose and enjoy the company of their loved ones.

* * *

Night falls and the fairy lights glow, brightening up the space. People are dancing, drinking, and enjoying themselves. The night feels free, the people freer, not a care in the world, but I can’t help but feel on edge. Seeing the glances between Colt and Fallon all day, my heart hurts for them, but there is nothing I can say to make a difference to my brother. It’s not a surprise that Fallon and her family left earlier. If I was her, I wouldn’t be able to face all of this, hide how I feel, and hide my resentment alongside it. The Witches are an ally to our faction; there is no reason for them to be kept apart and yet, they are.

“What’s wrong?” Creek asks as he sits behind me on the bench seat at the picnic table, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. “You seem tense.”

“I can’t shake this feeling. Like we’ve missed something.” I’m not mentioning Colt and Fallon to him. Their business is their own, and it’s not my secret to tell.

“I’ve always trusted your gut, but maybe it’s because we’ve been working so hard since your awakening. We haven’t had too much opportunity to do this sort of thing. Usually, things aren’t as crazy as they are right now, or at least that’s what Dad told me. The increase in the other factions’ numbers around here have had people on edge, but things have been quiet since the Lycans attacked you. I can only assume those two have finally got their people in line, even if only because of you.” His words sound true enough, but something still doesn’t feel right.

Kain and Roman have always had a good hold on their factions. Either directly or through those beneath them, but it’s the rogue activity that made them both come here. It’s the rogues who have been banding together in a way unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

A shudder runs down my spine as the first scream happens. The lights go out and we’re thrown into darkness.

“Shit,” Creek says, standing and keeping a hand on me. Our eyes only take a second to adjust, and that’s when I see them. Dracul and Lycans surround us, coming through the tree line, others pouring from the wraparound porch. There must be at least fifty of them… and no more than twenty of us.

Silence hangs in the air and time feels like it’s stretching out. Hunters gather, creating a circle of sorts, and we move to join them as my dad’s voice rings out in the dead space around us. “What is the meaning of this?”

There is no response except for the snarls of the rogues as they attack. I shut everything out, thankful that I’ve had time to regain enough memories since I was last attacked, that I barely even feel fear. A killing calm sweeps over me as I rush forward and join the fight around me. Weaponless, we’re at a disadvantage, but sheer force of will pushes us forward.

I use my opponents’ speed and strength against them, using it to snap their bones before twisting their necks. It might not kill them, but it will put them down for long enough that we can work through them to get to our weapons. Or at least I hope so.

I try not to think about the people around me, the people that I love and hold dear, while I focus on taking out as many of the rogues as I can. A Lycan dives for me, and I dart backward, then feel the teeth of a Dracul tear into my shoulder.

When the fuck did they start working together?

I shove my elbow backward into the Dracul’s gut, and he releases me from his bite so I throw my head backward, shattering his nose, but that gives the Lycan the opening to attack. His fists rain down upon my ribs, winding me, but I refuse to give in.

“Maddie!” Nate’s cry comes from behind me, and it gives me the boost I need. I place my hands on the Lycan’s head rather than dodging his blows and twist as hard as I can. The bones shatter and he drops to the floor. Before he even hits the ground, I spin to face the Dracul, my blood running down his face. The pain of my shoulder barely even registers as I dart forward and begin the dance again, distracted by the scent of blood. I put him down too.

The sound of a shotgun cracks out in the air, and my gaze whips to the direction of the noise. My dad and brothers emerge from the house, weapons in hand.

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