Page 53 of A Thousand Cuts

It was static at first, before a blood-red eye appeared on a black background.

Liam stumbled back from the image in horror as a green line came down from the top of the TV as if wiping it clean. In its place was a single word:

RUN

Liam did.

He raced down the street, his feet barely hitting the floor. All around him he saw that word reflected back at him; on the road walk sign, in a scrolling promotion message above a store, on the train departures board as he reached the entrance.

He fell against the escalator, scraping his shin under his jeans. He hauled himself up with gritted teeth, scrambling upward before checking over his shoulder.

A dark figure stepped into view, placing one foot on the bottom step.

Terror sent adrenaline coursing through his veins, pushing him harder as he scaled the hundreds of steps.

RUN

RUN

RUN

He passed the word with every board, urging him higher even though he felt like his body was going to give out.

Footsteps hastened behind him and he whimpered, not daring to look.

He could hear the heavy chug of the train on its tracks as he reached the top, the screech as it pulled in. He desperatelyprayed for it to wait for him.Please, please, don’t leave. He burst out onto the steam-filled platform and threw himself through the doors just as they were about to close, startling those who had already boarded.

Liam was sweating all over and could barely draw in a breath as he braced himself against the opposite door. The whistle blew to signal departure, and the black faded from Liam’s vision enough for him to look back out of the window.

At the entrance to the platform was the dark figure just standing there as the train pulled away.

Chapter 10

Fix

One more hour.

Fix had repeated this to himself ever since he’d parked up outside of Liam’s building.

He shifted in his seat, wishing his truck were more comfortable for stakeouts…or whatever the hell he was doing.

The truth was, he hadn’t planned to swing by Liam’s tonight. He’d been called out to break a curse on the train line that was causing massive delays, and itjust sohappened to be near—maybe an exaggeration—Liam’s area. So once he was done he’d told himself he’d simply drive by Liam’s on the way home and make sure all was well. Liam would be in bed most likely, so he wouldn’t go up. It was just a cursory checkup…

Only his foot had hit the brake as soon as the building came into view and he hadn’t moved since.

He understood that he was being overbearing. He didn’t want to push himself on Liam, but his mind was constantly working in overdrive.

What if he didn’t check in and something happened? What if Liam needed him but he was suffering and bearing it instead ofcalling? What if another creepy gift had arrived and Fix could have caught the culprit?

There were too many possibilities and they kept him up at night. Had him tossing and turning in the same way he did when any of his brothers were out on dangerous cases. Liam had wiggled in that deep already.

He yawned, long and loud, trying to stretch his muscles in the confined space.

Movement in his side mirror drew his attention and he ducked to put the figure in view. Fix had to blink twice to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.

Messy blond hair was flying behind a sprinting figure illuminated by the dim streetlights. Long legs ate up the sidewalk, as wobbly as a colt on the verge of collapse. Terror was following them, Fix could see it like a cloud in the air billowing in their wake.

It was Liam.