Page 85 of Solar Shadows

Yes. Definitely a leopard, its golden fur soaked, its expression hungry.

“Tony…” I said, holding my bleeding hands in the air. “I… I…”

A figure crashed through a hedge and fired a gun, the sound of the crack like a firework exploding in my skull.

“Get away from him!” a man bellowed.

With my hands over my ears, I saw him cock the shotgun, aiming it at the hissing Tony.

Daniel Croft.

Daniel Croft in a long black raincoat.

“D-Dad?” I whispered.

Chapter 26

OLLIE

Mum returned to the room, sans cup of tea, shock etched on her face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, using the bed’s remote control to adjust my position.

She stopped at my bedside, catching her breath.

“Mum?”

She rubbed her chest, holding up a finger.

“Did you run here?” I asked.

With a deep, restoring breath, she spoke. “They’ve found him.”

Relief hit me at full impact, my body a riot of tingling. “Isaac? Where is he?”

“At an old farmhouse five miles north of Coldharbour.” She rubbed her chest again, definitely in a state of shock. “And it appears…by Hecate.”

I reached for her. “Take it easy, Mum.”

“It appears…” Deep breaths, steadying herself. “It appears Daniel Croft is with him.”

Chapter 27

ISAAC

Tony dodged the next round of firing, tearing away into the night.

“Get out of here!” Daniel roared into the air.

Daniel.

Dad.

“Dad?” I said aloud, wobbly on my feet.