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From the upstairs window, I watch them. Legend, Bullet, Oaks, all moving like they’ve slipped back into wartime. No swagger. No jokes. Just sharp eyes and loaded weapons. Something’s wrong. The kind of wrong that makes your stomach twist before your brain can catch up.

I storm downstairs barefoot, heart thudding like hooves on Derby Day. Rye’s in the kitchen, loading silver bullets into a pistol like we’re suddenly in a horror movie instead of my damn farmhouse.

“Rye,” I snap, hands on my hips. “Is someone gonna tell me what the hell is going on, or do I need to start guessing?”

He freezes, eyes flicking up to mine, guilty as a boy caught stealing bourbon. “Ain’t supposed to say.”

“Try me.”

He sighs and rubs a hand down his face. “One of your horses, Sophie. A colt. Mauled bad. Legend thinks it’s… that thing. From back when.”

The room tilts. “That’s not possible.”

“Lot of things ain’t,” Rye mutters, chambering a round with a little too much force. “Plus, Becki’s missin’.”

My legs are moving before I fully decide. I sneak out the back, guilt hot and bitter on my tongue. I should’ve been out there first. This is my land. My family’s legacy. I won’t cower in the kitchen while the Kings lock and load like it’s doomsday.

I run right into Legend and ask about Becki.”

“Gone. Maybe followed something out there. Oaks says she was askin’ questions.”

“Why would she do that? Why would she care? Why does she care so much about you?”

“Because she’s my sister.”

His sister? “Your what ?”

“My adopted sister. Reverend Crowley’s daughter. From Pearly Gates,” he said like that makes it any better.

“You mean the same Pearly Gates cult you swore you walked away from?”

“I did walk away,” he cracked. “But Becki didn’t. Not really. She can’t ever truly get away because of her dad.”

“And you were in bed with her?” I can’t wrap my head around it.

“We weren’t blood. She wasn’t raised beside me. You know I went to Pearly Gates when we were both near grown. Becki and I clung to each other 'cause there was nobody else. It was survival, not love. Not what I have with you.”

“Oh, it’s not?” I’m an idiot. “Because last night she stood on my porch acting like you were hers.”

“She was mine, for a while. A long while ago. It ended. I made that damn clear.”

“Did you?” Sure he did. “Because it sounds a lot like she didn’t get the memo.”

Legend looks like his heads about to damn near explode. “You think I’m still hung up on her?”

“I think you’ve got unfinished business with someone who hates me, and that scares the hell out of me.” I’m nothing but honest.

He reaches for me, and I pull away.

“You’re the one I came back for. You’re the one I’d kill for. That thing out there already took one life. I’m not lettin’ it take another.”

Bullshit. He’s out here worried about his sister lover.

“Then go find her. Because if you’re serious about me, you better handle your past before it buries both of us.

” My voice shakes, but I hold his gaze. I need to know where I stand before I let myself fall any further.

Because lovin’ him already feels like stepping off a cliff and praying he’ll catch me.

“I will. And when I come back, we end this, for good.”

Legend disappears while I ponder his words. What are we ending? This mess, or us?

I pace, wondering what he meant. I have to know. And besides, he’s going to go find Becki, where? In the woods. Where the creature lives.

Going after him, I make it to the south line, where the woods start whispering secrets again. The shadows are long, even though the sun’s still fighting to stay up. I step into the paddock and…

Oh God.

The smell hits me first. Metallic. Wrong.

Thick like syrup in the air. Blood coats the grass in long, sticky strokes.

And then I see him, my colt, ripped open, body twisted, eyes wide with terror that never had time to fade.

My knees hit the earth hard, but I barely feel it.

My colt, the one I raised, brushed down, whispered dreams to, he's nothing now but blood and memory.

My mouth tastes like copper, and my heart folds in on itself.

This wasn't a kill. It was a message. A threat carved in flesh on my family's land.

I choke on a sob, hand clapped over my mouth.

A memory flashes. Him wobbly on newborn legs, nosing into my lap. Now he’s nothing but ruin. Whatever did this? It’s hunting.

A twig snaps behind me.

I freeze.

There’s a growl, low and deep, like it rumbles up from hell itself. Not human. Not dog.

I turn slowly, every nerve screaming.

A shape bolts between the trees, massive and fast. Too fast. It’s bigger than anything that should live in these woods. Fast, like smoke and shadow. My instincts scream, primal and ancient, and every part of me knows. If I run, I die.

“Legend,” I whisper, breath catching. I don’t have my phone. I don’t dare scream. If I run…

Another step behind me.

A hand grabs me.

I spin, ready to fight…

I’m on the ground fighting for my life.

And then I see him.

Legend.

He tackles me mid-turn, our bodies hitting the earth in a jarring thud. His hands skim over me like he’s counting bones, checking for breaks, blood, breath. He cradles the back of my head like it’s made of glass and stares at me like he’s afraid he was too late.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he growls into my hair.

I don’t answer. I can’t. Because I’m too busy finally letting myself tremble in his arms.

But we both know what I was thinking.

I had to know what I’m up against.

And now… I do.

A branch snaps. Not behind me this time, closer. To the left. Legend’s still holding me, but his head lifts, nostrils flaring like a wolf catching scent. Then…

And then someone grabs me from behind.