Page 97 of The Tracker's Dawn: Sunderverse

The mage searched her face.

“I’m... I’m sorry,” Rosalina said, stepping back and starting to turn.

But before she got too far, he grabbed her wrist, pulled her back into himself, and pressed his mouth to hers in a passionate kiss that would curl any warm-blooded girl’s toes.

Tearing my attention away from them, I occupied myself with scanning the area, making sure the Midnight Witch was truly gone. Jake and Eric did the same, fanning out and trolling in circles around the oblivious, kissing couple.

I shook my head. This was sonotthe place for this.

At last, they broke their heated kiss, then spent another instant peering into each other’s eyes.

Taking Rosalina’s hand, Damien started marching the way we’d come. “Let’s go help!”

We jumped into the fray and fought alongside civilians and uniformed Skews alike. The battle lasted for hours, but gradually our sheer number overwhelmed even the most rabid hybrids.

In the end, The Scourge’s streets ran red with blood. Werewolves, vampires, and Fae alike lay dead on the blacktop, next to the beasts that had blindly attacked them on a vengeful witch’s command—a witch that had fled like a coward, leaving them behind.

There were many injured. Most healed on their own, if their wounds weren’t too serious. But others needed help, and soon, the streets were teeming with paramedics and other emergency personnel.

In time, even Stales came. They helped find survivors among the bodies, administering first aid, and saving lives.

Exhausted, we made our way out of there, hobbling toward Eric’s car after Damien healed our wounds as best as he could.

My paws were soaked with blood and my fur was starting to dry into clumps with the stuff. I was limping with phantom pains from a bite to my shoulder. A hybrid three times my size had mistaken me for a piece of kibble and chomped on me pretty good. I screamed and the beast shook me like a rag. If Damien hadn’t zapped the monster in time, I might’ve met my maker tonight.

At the barricade, we found a bunch more police cars blocking the way.

“Hey, it’s Tom,” Rosalina said, noticing detective Freeman issuing orders to a few uniformed officers.

He also noticed Rosalina and the rest of us and approached us wearily, his dark eyes assessing us. “I should’ve figured you’d all be here.” He glanced at Jake, Eric, and finally at me. “Toni?”

I flexed my ears and inclined my head.

He nodded and smiled. It was the first time he’d seen my wolf. “Did you get that bitch?” he asked.

“Not this time,” Rosalina answered. “But maybe next.”

Yes, next time. At least, all her hybrids were dead. They had to be because it looked like she’d brought all of them here. It would take her time to make more.

He sighed in frustration and rubbed the back of his neck. “When is this mess going to end?”

That was whatIwanted to know.

“Y’all get out of here.” The detective tiredly waved a hand, urging us away. “Somebody might start asking questions I don’t want to answer. It’s not like you’re inconspicuous.” He scanned Damien with his flashy, blood-dripping cloak. “I already had to deal with that the last time y’all got involved.Shoo, shoo!”

Rosalina gave him a military salute. “You don’t have to tell us twice.”

She was right about that. I was tired and so was everybody else. We needed to rest, badly, especially Jake and Damien. And I really hoped Lucia was already in bed, though knowing her...

Saying that tomorrow would be hard for them was an understatement. If only I could lend them some of my strength.