Page 63 of Enter the Lair

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Sarah would never forget the raw expression of hate etched in Gerald’s face as he pulled the trigger.Or his horror when the gun clicked without firing.

“Jordan NO.”He screamed.

Devon’s paws connected with the marble floor, springing forward in one powerful motion.Claws extending as Gerald raised his arms to ward off the inevitable attack.

The cougar’s jaws were open as they clamped onto Gerald’s forearm, forcing his arm down to expose his chest.The sound of tearing cloth and scraped bone echoed in the room before the piercing sound of Gerald’s screams.He kicked and thrashed, trying to dislodge the powerful beast serrating his flesh.She wanted to look away.She couldn’t.Her cougar took the perverse pleasure in watching her mate protect what was his.Her entire body flinched when the weapon fired.

She felt the effects immediately.A pain in her chest that spread out, consuming everything in its way.She watched her mate rear back.The dart hanging from his chest before he turned back and slashed Gerald across the throat.

Black blood spattered across the polished floor and up the white wall only to trickle down in crimson rivulets.Gerald dropped the weapon, clamping his hands to his throat, attempting to contain the gushing red river between his fingers and hold his trachea together.

Sarah rushed to his side.She didn’t want him, but she wouldn’t wish this death on anyone.One bloody hand reached out to grab her arm as the other remained on his throat.His expression was shock, fear, and pain.He tried to speak, but only managed to gurgle and cough before his hand went slack and he rolled to one side.Blood flowed freely from his neck, pooling on the floor.

She reeled from the violence and the emptiness forming in her chest.She grabbed at her chest, struggling to understand her cat’s distress, turning to the one thing she knew she could trust.

Her eyes instinctually went to the dart still hanging from Devon’s chest.She swatted it away, causing it to skitter across the smooth surface before meeting the cold eyes of her mate.They were as beautiful as she remembered.She saw everything and felt nothing.She reached for their emotional bond.

Nothing.It was gone.

* * *

Sarah watched Devon shift.The fluid transition beautiful as his muscles tightened and formed before her.Gerald’s blood was spattered across his chest, marring the perfection of his skin.These things didn’t scare her.The hole in her soul did.

“I can’t feel you,” she said nervously.

He reached for her hand, squeezing it in a comforting manner.“I know.I can’t feel you either.We need to get out of here.”He grabbed his pants from the floor, putting them on hastily before pulling her behind him and reaching for the door.It was locked.

“You can’t get out I tried,” she said.

Devon slammed his fist against the door.It opened inward, allowing Hunter to enter.

He looked at Gerald’s body on the floor.“What are you waiting for?Let’s get out of here.”He ducked out.

Devon pulled her behind him as they entered the corridor.Alarms blared with the distant echo of gunfire.The guards they did see appeared to be retreating.

They followed the hallway to the exit, meeting up with Talen, Cade Luca, and Liam.

Devon stopped abruptly.“Where are the rest?”

“They’re chasing Kallan’s men.They’re retreating we aren’t sure why.”Talen said.

“I killed Gerald Kallan,” Devon said.

“He should be attacking us then,” Talen replied.

“You didn’t get him?”

Talen shook his head.“He’s slippery as fuck.There was a man surrounded by armed guards, but it wasn’t Kallan.It was a decoy.”

Cade shifted his stance.“Smart,” he said.

Devon looked at Cade.“Anyway, Kallan could know about your satellite connections?”

Cade shrugged.Sarah saw his furious expression.She had the feeling Cade would be checking on that himself.

Hunter moved.“Enough talking let’s get Sarah out of here and retrieve Rachael.”