Page 105 of Haunting the Hunter

I turn and grip Genevieve’s arm, and pull her in tight, my hand sliding around to cover her mouth before she can protest. My other hand raises the gun, pressing the barrel to her temple. She jerks, a muffled squeal escaping against my palm.

I lean in, my lips brushing her ear.

“You’re gonna have to trust me,” I growl, my eyes locking with hers.

She nods fast, the motion jerky—terror written in the whites of her eyes.

Ben rounds the corner behind us, eyes immediately catching the scene, his expression tightening into something hard and dangerous.

“Stay back,” I whisper, just loud enough for him to hear. “There’s no way past them without being seen.”

His jaw clenches, eyes darting to the guards ahead. He doesn’t like it, but he nods once, tight and slow.

I take a breath and step into the light.

Genevieve is rigid in my arms, the gun still to her head, my grip iron around her waist. I walk fast—confident—like I’m delivering something.

The first guard turns. Point—clean shot. Right between the eyes.

He drops.

The second pivots with a shout, raising his weapon. I fire and miss, tearing through his shoulder instead. He screams, stumbling over his feet, clutching his arm.

I realign. The second shot is buried in his temple.

He’s down.

Shouts erupt behind the house. It’s too late now. We gotta move.

I drag Genevieve toward a thick tree near the edge of the path, shoving her behind the trunk as I crouch low beside her. She’s shaking but silent. Shock, maybe?

I lift my head just enough to gesture sharply toward Ben to stay back.

Let them come to me.

A guard charges from behind Ben.

Ben doesn’t hesitate. He intercepts him mid-sprint—grabbing him by the vest and slamming him into the siding with brutal precision. Then, with a voice cold enough to freeze the air, he shouts: “I don’t have eyes—he’s got the witch! Shoot to kill!”

And without flinching, Ben pulls the trigger, point-blank.

Blood sprays. The guard drops.

“Man down!” Ben roars, loud enough to shake the trees.

Another shadow moves on the opposite side of the house. I spot the glint of a weapon, raising mine in response.

Shoot.

He crumples instantly and I grin to myself. Ya know… I think I like this gun.

I pull Genevieve behind another tree closer to the road, shoving her behind cover. She squirms in my grip, her small hand around my wrist, trying to wrench my hand from her mouth—but I hold firm. Not yet.

Footsteps thunder behind Ben. Another guard incoming, and fast.

Ben turns just in time to meet him—two shots crack through the night.

The man falls with a thud.