Page 104 of Sun-Kissed Fangs
Rage flared through Maya’s chest as she saw Booker making his way through the trees. He was downwind of the outpost, using it as cover. What he expected to gain from it, be it information or a surprise hit against the Chains, didn’t matter.
He was encroaching. And unlike all other supernatural creatures, her scent didn’t give away her presence.
She moved alongside him, drifting closer, a shadow among shadows. He kept forging ahead, moving almost sloppily, as though he wasn’t expecting to meet any danger yet.
She would show him danger. He was still wearing the scars she’d given him the last time they clashed. His throat was marred with scar tissue, and a bright red line showed around one wrist where his hand had gotten reattached.
This time, the wounds she caused wouldn’t have time to scar over.
Jaw aching, Maya let her fangs extend.
A persistent buzzing sounded from her pocket. Her phone, ringing. Booker spun towards the noise, eyes flicking around the dark.
They didn’t find her. But he didn’t waste time searching. He was a coward at heart, and cowards had good survival instincts.
He broke into a sprint, running back towards the river. She set off after him, moving slower than usual on account of Aleksander’s rigorous training regimen. She couldn’t get winded, since she didn’t need to breathe, but her muscles could still ache from exhaustion.
Booker crashed through the tree line, aiming straight for the riverbank. With no hesitation, he tore off his jacket and leaped into the frigid water. The temperature alone would have confined a human to a watery grave, but Booker was sturdier than that. As Maya stopped at the bank, she was given a prime view of the man being dragged along by the current, paddling towards the opposite shore.
Maya glared after him. She could continue the pursuit, but that would draw her outside Chains territory. Though unlikely, given that he’d crossed alone, Booker might have friends close by.
She could confront them anyway. Or just scare them into handing Booker over. The fact that he was still breathing was her greatest mistake, and right then, she wanted nothing more than to amend it.
She could do it. She could cross the water and give chase once he thought himself safe. Could make him cower and beg, and then show him just how pointless either act would be. In that moment, nothing was more important than making him fucking scream.
Then her phone started ringing again.
Chapter 25
It was snowing again. Thick flakes drifted past the window, stark against the dark city backdrop.
Harper had been staring at it for several minutes. Letting her focus jump from one falling snowflake to the next, following it until it vanished from view.
Maybe she should count them instead. That would take more focus. And maybe, that way, her brain would stop shining a spotlight on the one frustrating thought that had turned into a mantra over the past few hours.
Don’t check your phone. Do not check your phone.
“Harper?”
She snapped her head away from the window. “Sorry, what?”
“Can you pass me that, please?” Patricia gestured at the contract lying on the coffee table. “I want to read it over again.”
Harper rolled her eyes, handing over the paperwork. “You need to learn when to stop. The Chains getting you that shark of a lawyer means you don’t have to deal with this anymore.”
“I am aware.” Patricia leaned back in her armchair as she scanned the paper. “But you can never be too prepared.”
Shaking her head, Harper returned her gaze to the falling snowflakes. Nell was on her first date with Casey, so Harper had sought refuge at Patricia’s rather than be alone. Her own place was too quiet, too empty, and too big, frankly. Compared to what she’d gotten used to these past few months, her and Nell’s new apartment was big enough to get lost in.
Nell had been gone for a few hours now. Which meant there might be an update in their group chat, reporting how the date was going. A completely justified reason to check her phone, and then, while she was at it, she might as well see if Maya had—
No, Harper. Do not check yourfuckingphone.
“I still can’t believe they’d treat you like that,” Evie said. She was sitting next to Harper on the couch. “Mason cut ties with his parents for a reason. They don’t have the right to any of this.”
Patricia took a deep breath, holding it in for a moment before sighing it out. Harper did the same, though her face being mostly turned away meant no one saw.
She remembered every detail of that awful day. How Patricia had answered the phone with a smile and then her expression had filled with shock. Then denial. Then, finally, chilling calm.
