Page 104 of Alluring Darkness

41

RAINA

My heart is pounding so loudly in my ears that I’m surprise the entire forest doesn’t hear it too. Keeping my head down, I try my best to stay silent while I follow the Hunters as we make our way deeper into the woods.

They move like fucking wraiths through the trees. I didn’t think it was possible for people like them to move as quietly as they are. Not only are they all tall and muscular, they also normally exude this enormous presence that can be felt from miles away. But right now, they slink across the forest floor like ghosts. Making no noise and leaving no trace.

I frantically scan the ground while I hurry after them, checking so that I’m not about to step on a twig that will give away our location.

Fuck, why did they have to drag me into this? I would’ve much preferred to stay in the chemistry lab, mixing some delicious poisons instead. Or even at their house, going through all of their drawers while they were occupied.

Though I have to admit that I did like the way Eli saidyou’re mineearlier. I might even let him get away with forcing me into this annoying tournament just because he said that.

Eli stops and holds up his hand. He does it so abruptly that I almost crash into him. His brothers, however, come to a halt swiftly and efficiently. Drawing my eyebrows down, I scowl at him as he twists his head towards us.

He makes a few hand gestures and points up ahead and to the left. Rico, Kaden, and Jace all nod as if those flicks of his fingers made perfect sense. My frown only deepens.

Then a twig snaps close by.

It takes everything in me not to start at the unexpected sound. While remaining perfectly still, I squint in the direction of the noise.

Understanding floods my mind.

Oh, so that was what Eli was saying.

Another team moves through the trees a short distance from us. Two women and three men, all with athletic bodies and careful gaits, sneak across the forest floor, but none of them appear to have spotted us yet.

Eli flashes more hand signals to his brothers, who yet again nod. Then he slides his gaze back to me. Holding up his palm, he gives me a very simple gesture.

Stay.

A hint of embarrassment flickers through my chest because I know that I am practically useless in this damn tournament. Actually, I’m worse than useless. I’m a liability. If I were to follow Eli and his brothers to ambush that other group, I would no doubt mess it up so that the entire attack fails. It makes a cold weight settle in my stomach, but I try to ignore it as I nod in acknowledgement.

For a few seconds, Eli only watches me with perceptive eyes. It looks like he wants to say something else, but then he simply nods back. Turning to his brothers, he spins a hand in the air.

Move out.

They all split up and sneak away between the trees.

I remain where I am, not moving a muscle in case that would somehow make noise, and watch as they disappear. Even though I know what I’m looking at, andwhereI’m supposed to be looking to see them, I still find it hard to spot them after a while.

Damn, they really are good at this.

The other group continues moving slightly diagonally from where I’m standing. I’ve lost sight of Kaden and Rico, who I assume are approaching from the other side, but I can just barely spot Eli and Jace between the trees if I strain my eyes hard.

A gentle breeze rustles the leaves above our heads. I glance up at it. The canopy this deep into the forest is so thick that barely any light makes it through. And the sky today is already gray and overcast, which makes the entire forest feel dark and gloomy. It’s still warm, though. Or maybe that’s just me after the fast pace we’ve kept through the woods. Beads of sweat trickle down my spine and temples, and I have to resist the urge to wipe them away lest I make any accidental noise.

Standing perfectly still, I watch the Hunters draw closer to their prey.

Then they stop.

For a few seconds, nothing happens.

I squint, trying to figure out what they’re doing.

The other team still hasn’t spotted them. They just continue moving in formation with sure steps.

More seconds pass.

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