Page 43 of Fate of the Fallen

“Was that too presidential?” Evangeline whispered into my ear with a laugh.

I placed a kiss on the side of her face before answering. “It was perfect.”

The hand she held was squeezed and I brought her close. It had been her call to go before the clan tonight and it was therightcall.

Over the sound of ambient chatter, another sound caught my attention. It was the chirp of a walkie talkie. I turned, following the sound over my shoulder where Dallas had just lifted the device to listen.

“Dallas, got your ears on? Over,” a voice called out.

“I’m here. Over.”

“Yeah, uh … a couple of the guys noticed something strange over near the main road. It’s probably nothing, but they’re going to check it out. Until we have clearance, it might be best for everyone to clear the area. Over,” the guard suggested.

Right away, at the mention of there being a disturbance, my limbs and fists went rigid.

Dallas’ gaze locked with mine and I knew we were of the same mind. We weren’t willing to take any chances.

“Get Evie and Elise to the house safely,” he instructed, “The boys and I will help get everyone else along as quickly as we can, and then join the team to see if they can use our help.

I nodded and turned to Evangeline. My entire life was, literally, all wrapped in the flesh of one woman. A woman who was standing here in the open, vulnerable.

“We’ve gotta move,” I said, hearing the urgency in my own voice.

“Beth’s coming with us. Her parents aren’t here tonight,” Evangeline said in a rush, her eyes widening as she reached for her friend’s hand.

“Fine. We have to move quickly, though.”

Elise nodded in agreement, keeping close as we moved toward the house.

Behind us, Dallas could be heard giving orders. He was doing his best to encourage those who remained to grab whatever weapons they needed, and then to head home. He then advised those still displaced by the flood and dwelling in the surrounding woods to seek refuge within the gates of our property. With the announcement, a mass of bodies formed behind us.

Most were doing well to conceal the fear that suddenly struck, but others weren’t able to hide it. While, no, a threat hadn’t been confirmed, this town had seen enough tragedy to know it was best to run at the first sign of smoke instead of waiting for a fire.

“I should go help them,” Beth blurted, checking over her shoulder as chaos unfolded all around. “What if there really is something out there? The more manpower they have, the better, right?”

“The best thing any of us can do is follow the orders given by the guard,” I explained.

I didn’t want to feed the fight within her, but I could relate. It was unnatural for me to sit it out when comrades might need help, but it was evenmoreunnatural to send Evangeline off alone. So, I forced myself to believe they had it under control, and kept walking.

But then weallstopped dead in our tracks, falling silent as we listened.

For a moment, I stood wondering if the sinister sound that emerged from the tree line was my imagination, but then a second unmistakable roar ripped through the air, confirming what I feared.

We weren’t alone out here … and whatever had once been content to watch and wait, was now rushing right toward us.

I tightened my grip on Evangeline’s hand as her other quickly latched on to Beth’s arm. We ran—hard, fast, pressing harder as I think we all wished the house had been closer. While I had my doubts we’d be much safer inside the gate, I had to hope Hilda’s sigils would hold. Had to hope they were strong enough to keep the unwanted, uninvited guests out.

Because this hope was all I had.

Within seconds, the scene surrounding us was utter chaos. I couldn’t afford to look back.

“Elise, you’ll have to sprint ahead,” I called out. “Get the gate open. Otherwise, none of us will make it.”

She nodded, agreeing before her body partially ignited and she took off. We were still a good enough distance from the house for it to be nerve wracking. Only more so when a cry from somewhere off to the right stole our attention. Someone who’d been running with us seconds before was taken out. Another scream to the left ended abruptly with a loud crunch and the sound of blood spurting from a fatal wound.

One by one, lycans were picked off and our group was shrinking.

“Mutt!” Beth called out, alerting me mere milliseconds before the thing was on me.