Page 20 of Stalker

My bone spurs extend with a soft click. The first merc doesn't even have time to scream before my hand closes around his throat. His spine snaps with a wet crunch.

"Sam? You okay?"

The second one dies just as quick. The third manages to draw his weapon before my claws tear through his chest.

The last one backs away, fumbling for his comm. "Oh shit, oh shit..."

His head parts from his shoulders in a clean arc.

The incinerator chute gapes wide, ready to erase my handiwork. The bodies tumble down with dull thuds. In moments, nothing remains but cooling blood on durasteel.

I straighten my jacket and step toward the alley's mouth.

"You should have let me walk away."

CHAPTER 8

MARYSE

The elevator doors slide open with a soft hiss. I pull out my holo and type another message to Bruticus.

"Hey sexy, I'm here! Hope you're ready for me ;)"

No response. The message shows as delivered but unread. My heels click against the polished floor as I head to his condo first.

"Bruticus?" I knock on his door. Nothing.

A chill runs down my spine. He always answers my texts within seconds. Always.

I punch in my override code to his condo. Empty. The bed's still made, exactly like it was this morning.

My own condo next door beckons. The door reads my biosignature and slides open with a whisper. I step inside, but the lights don't flicker on like they should.

"Computer, lights." Nothing happens.

My fingers find the manual switch. Click. Click. Still darkness.

A low chuckle echoes from somewhere in the shadows. Deep. Masculine. Familiar.

My heart pounds against my ribs, but not from fear. Heat pools low in my belly as I recognize that sound.

"Someone's been a very naughty boy, messing with my lighting system."

Another dark laugh, closer now. The sound sends shivers of anticipation down my spine.

"Maybe I should call station security?" I tease, taking a careful step forward. "Report an intruder?"

The darkness shifts. A warm breath ghosts across my neck.

"Nothing can save you from me…"

I spin around. "Aha! Caught you!"

Empty space greets me. The darkness swallows any trace of him.

"Oh, so that's how we're playing it?" My bare arms prickle with goosebumps. The thrill of the hunt - or is it of being hunted? - makes my breath catch.

A whisper of movement behind me. The air shifts, stirring my hair. A shadow darker than the rest flits past, too quick to track. My pulse quickens. His ebony skin makes him nearly invisible in the darkness.