R

nds s

m fear-

nough to trigger panic. Enough to make me want to

the fabric. Just the splatter. A warni

wo

s wor

seconds later, e

ed?" he aske

he phone t

. "Where did t

swallowing hard. "Jus

the scre

Or we send

uffel bag from under the altar, check

ming wi

front of him.

ell I

bring anyone. That's

anyway, Aria. That

that he

ouldn't

hey want me. I show up with bac

then looked at me-r

do you

ver me if I don't c

ated. "O

back, you come like

to a low growl. "I'll

't tel

I didn't need him trying to play the hero now

o

was

in my boot, another in the back of my jacket. No phone. Just

enough to howl," h

him o

walke

the s

came thirty m

ed for exile ceremonies. Now it was empty, save for rows of stone

tt

ked i

on

hispered al

ould sm

ood. Lilit

one of the stone pillars lik

"Still dramatic af

ile back. "

to the side. "Some

"You sent his sweat

e replied. "I'm cr

you both so

laug

turned mercenaries. Faces I didn't recogn

hat they we

want?" I as

hated you. I pitied you. Ryker always chose the weak on

ones wit

l teeth. "Thos

still

it

ou had years to run. To

't kill me when y

ead. "We thought

your first

was?" Her eyes narrowed.

d came forward-holding som

's nec

ff. A wolf carved from

overed i

bro

ung

er-tip gleaming in the pale light. I went for the

slammed my elbow into his throa

raised h

t ran

ot fro

beh

ard dr

d, eyes dark with fury. "You didn't reall

have time

fired again-clean, controlled.

quickly, hand rai

the deal!"

ned o

a deal," I said. "Th

ried

was f

ground, pinning her do

m!" she screamed

by the collar,

Is. My

e. He's already being move

die here,"

my arm. "No

's l

, she's the only chance

ving. My hands shook with

el was

re

er," I sai

blood-stained lips. "

d. "I think I ju

tied and gagged in the back of Ka

t didn'

I had he

her

d it withi

d stood out-one con

o safe zone B. No

was from twent

tch them," I sai

dded. "

gh trees and dipping into back routes only

asn't just a m

the end

n my chil

d

make the worl

whil

rmored SUV, his wrists bound in silver

olf wasn'

sti

ak

gr

echoed thro

feel her-

g for

r seat turned. "He's to

sitated. "He'

her son. You want to see wh

n loo

sm

ar je

hts fli

's eyes glo

at came out

not h