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I don’t answer, but just slip on my helmet, and move to stand beside his big black Harley. There’s a silver wolf on the side, and I wonder if it’s more than just a picture. It reminds me of Khaosti, which makes me a little sad. But I push the emotion down. He’ll be fine; if anyone can look after themselves, it’s Khaosti.

Killian swings his leg over the bike, then pats the seat. The bike is low and easy to climb onto, and I settle myself behind him.

“Hold on tight, princess,” Killian shouts over his shoulder.

“I thought Zayne hadn’t told you anything about me?”

“He told me that.”

He turns on the engine and I feel the rumble of the bike through my body. It’s sexy as hell, and I can’t resist wrapping my arms around Killian’s waist. He’s all hard muscles, and I pull myself closer—for safety’s sake.

Then we’re moving.

And soon we’re flying down the road.

And after all my procrastination, it’s good to be moving.

Whatever bad things might lie ahead.

Chapter 3

I Came, I Saw, I Slayed!

The “good to be moving” feeling didn’t last for long.

I’m cold and stiff. I have my hands underneath Killian’s shirt just to get the benefit of all that hot shifter skin.

He suddenly swerves off the road and into the woods, and I let out a little yelp. I could have done with a bit of advance warning, and I jab my fingernails into his ribs.

It’s dark under the cover of the trees, the thick canopy cutting out what little moonlight there is. Killian seems to have no difficulty avoiding collisions, though it’s a little too close for my liking at times and I hide my face against his back. Shifters have good eyesight I’ve been told—and mine has certainly improved—but I’m also guessing Killian has taken this route many timesbefore. We must be near wherever it is we’re going; we’ve been riding for over two hours, mostly very fast, and the novelty of cuddling up to six-foot-four of gorgeous male faded a long time ago.

I can still hear the other bikes behind us. I hope Josh is bearing up okay, but Zayne often takes him out on the bike so at least he’s used to it.

Finally, I see lights up ahead and a minute later, we pull up outside a long, sprawling log cabin. There are no lights to be seen, but as we arrive, the front door opens, and a small group of people emerge. I heave myself off the bike with a groan and pull off my helmet. My legs wobble a little, but I stiffen them. I prefer horses to bikes. But then I’ve ridden horses most of my life, apart from the three years after I was found naked in a coma on Hampstead Heath. Besides, animals like me. Bikes don’t give a fuck. You can’t expect a Harley to take care of you and make sure you don’t fall off.

I pull off my backpack and drop it to the ground by the bike, rolling my shoulders to ease out the kinks. Then I place my helmet on top.

I turn to see Josh sliding off Zayne’s bike. He hurries over to me and presses close. He’s never comfortable with strangers. I wrap my arm around him. “You can take your helmet off now,” I whisper.

He does and I ruffle his hair. He lets out a huge yawn. I need to find him a bed for the night; it must be well after midnight.

So what happens next?

I’ve spent the journey wondering what exactly it is we’re going to see tonight. I’m trying to ignore the thick ball of dread that lies heavy in my stomach, but I can’t help asking myself what could be worse than the shadowguard. Part of me wants to run in the other direction, to get as far away from here as possible. But another part wants—or rather needs—to find out what this newthreat is. I thought I had time. Now I can’t help thinking time is running out for everyone.

Killian is talking with the group, Zayne and Jack with him, and I approach slowly, taking the time to study the others. I count five, three men and two women. They all look like they are in their twenties, all casually dressed. Shifters, I presume, but don’t know for sure.

Jack edges over to allow me and Josh to join the group, and all eyes turn on me.

“Is there a bed for Josh?” I ask, deciding to get the important stuff out of the way first.

“Yeah,” Killian says—I get the impression he’s the leader of this little group. “Jack can show you.”

I turn Josh around and crouch down. “You go with Jack, he’ll put you to bed and I’ll check in on you later. Okay?”

He frowns.

“Maybe it’s best you go with him,” Killian says. “This isn’t the sort of stuff for…pretty little girls.”