a's

one-deep, skin-scorched, every-breath-is-a-punishment kind of pain. I cursed th

ingers, rough and st

focus. A figure hovered over me, face hidden behind a mask. I froze. Was this it? Was toda

dull clink, and the man

not to trust him. But then again, what was I holding on to? The warm hospitality of t

m, his strength startling against my broken frame. The movement ripped a cry from my lips, my feet sc

ugh the narrow hallways. The cold air hit my skin as we emerged outside. He didn't stop, tho

again, urgi

cried out in relief. "I'll p

off as fast as my mangled body would let me, his fa

t to abandon me again. I'd rather die ou

ed me to them. If I didn't cut ties now, they'd track me. I took a shaky brea

cord inside me had been severed, leaving me hollow and free all

single one of them. Well, all of them except for my savior. He was the only dece

hard. My body ached in ways I didn't know it could, and the thirs

ged rock, but I barely noticed the pain. My head was sp

ing like hyenas. I opened my eyes just enough to see them-a

the fuck are you?" one of them sneered, w

to sit up, glaring at them like I

man?" one of them asked, glan

sound that made my skin crawl. "What the fuck would a human be

httime. I'd been out there for ho

el. His breath reeked of stale beer. "What

hunters. I've heard of them. Humans w

" Bruce guessed, smirking. "What happened? Did y

ard. I yelped, curli

e at me. I barely managed to duck, crawl

Laughed like this was s

nto a hole. One second, I was crawling; the n

laughter onl

down at me. "What are you gonna do now, filt

n have the strength to clim

soline," Br

old. Gasoline?

er, and before I could even plead, they

begged. "Don

cked it open, the flame dancing dangerously.

ighter, and flam

arable. This was it. After everything, this was how I was going to

somethin

mine-a guttural, blood-c

stumble back, looking like

nd him. "You're the fucking hybrid. Finally sho

p, commanding voic

the blink of an eye-snap-his head was gone. Just gone. It

at the blood spla

d footsteps. Sl

oked up,

with piercing green eyes and a fa

I swear, for a seco

ke that, he t

ice. The fire was creeping closer. "P

ut didn't t

esperately."I'll di

ouched at the edge of the hole

e flames weren't creeping closer with

u don't!" my voice shook as the fi

d pulled a cigarette from his pocket. Calmly, he lit it, taking a sl

. What the hell was wrong wi

t him, as it burned around his feet. He sto

eard whispers about them before-dangerous, powerful creatu

tears spilling freely

one goo

I don't w

my pr

e, I b

f he were debating whether or not I was worth the trou

hoked out. "I'l

ed with amusem

Anyt

unbearably long, before finally noddin

" I sp

'd do anythin

was to trade one form of servitude for another. I'd just escaped the Full Moon Pac

y internal struggle. "I guess you've made your decis

as the flames caught the hem of my gow

ng so fast I barely saw him. One moment I was staring at certain

hold firm but oddly gentle.

athtaking. The most handsome man I'd ever seen, with piercin

," I whisp

re we

I said, still trying to p

f his stare, I fel

napped, trying to

t sent shivers down my spine. "No

is lips felt

are you?" I asked,

s eyes lo

s gaze roamed over my body, something like an

nd harsh, almost a growl. "Who did this?" A

id he

my spine, and I found myse

to you will pay,

both small and protected at the same time. Something about the way he looked at me made

l be alright

gan to droop. I tried to fight it, but I couldn