Page 61 of Kingdom of Chaos (Creatures of Chaos #2)

Thirty-Eight

TALON

Something’s wrong.

That much is clear from the attacks rattling the park, but it’s more than that. A deeper disturbance is brewing.

A low hum beneath my skin, a gnawing pressure I can’t shake.

I stand in the shadows of the trees, eyes locked on Locklyn as she stands in the clearing.

I haven’t let her out of my sight for even a second since she stepped away from me.

Her shoulders are tense, her chin lifted in quiet defiance, but the way she holds herself—too rigid, too controlled—feels unnatural. Not like her.

She fidgets when she’s nervous. Shifts her weight, cracks jokes under pressure, bites her lip when she’s deep in thought. But this version of her . . . she’s unnervingly calm. Like someone playing the part of Locklyn instead of being her .

If I know anything, I know Locklyn. Every breath, every flicker of emotion that flashes in her warm brown eyes. I’ve studied her in battle, in quiet moments, in the heat of conflict. And this . . . this isn’t her.

Every instinct I’ve honed over my lifetime is telling me it’s not right.

A bead of sweat rolls down my spine, cold and sharp. My pulse hammers in my ears, steady and relentless, as if my own body is trying to warn me of something I can’t see.

I glance to the side. Imogen’s standing nearby, arms crossed, her usual mask of cool calculation in place, but there’s a furrow between her brows that wasn’t there a few minutes ago. Kade, Ares, and the others are waiting too, coiled like predators ready to pounce, waiting for the signal.

Waiting for her.

The plan was simple. We don’t move until Locklyn gives the signal. But standing here, every instinct in me is screaming that we’ve made a mistake. That I have.

The connection between us, whether forged through raw emotion or the tether created through Shadow Striker’s magic that shouldn’t exist but does, is pulling tight. A subtle ache in my chest like a rubber band being stretched too far.

I scan the tree line again, tension crawling down my spine. Still no sign of Kerrim, or Ensley, when it’s clear his forces are already here, which is the biggest red flag of all.

He’s late. Or early. Or already here. And whatever trap he’s set, I fear she’s already stepped into it.

Where the hell is he?