Page 77

Distractions and Death

D ray is talking to me, but I can’t concentrate on a word he is saying.

Something is still bugging me and looking around now at the people gathered, I can’t help but wonder what.

Last night was a distraction, an amazing one, but a distraction nonetheless.

My body is jittery and my mind is screaming at me.

When the first shout erupts, I am not surprised.

Dray and I burst into a sprint, following the gesturing Seeker through the front door of the house and out onto the gravel. Once there, I see a crowd gathered around the side of the house, I follow after Dray and burst through the throng, only to stumble back.

‘Missed me, pet? Meet me at The Summit.’

Is scrawled in blood across the side of the house, it’s dry so I know it must have been done at the same time as the attack, I can only blame the panic and burial on not noticing it, but now that I have…

I think through his words, there has to be more to it than that.

Why come all this way to leave a vague threat…

either way, I need to get back to The Summit and warn them that Ivar is on his way.

Dray turns to me as my mind finally clicks on… he would have already been on his way to The Summit for him to have left this message, which means us coming here was to get me out of the way so he would have access to the leaders.

“It was a fucking distraction!” I yell at him before taking off at a sprint. Luckily, I have all my weapons strapped on and I am dressed for riding, having planned to leave later in the day to carry on The Summit. Maxen bursts through the front door and when he sees my face he sprints to my side.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, panic winding through his face as he searches my body for injuries.

“It was a distraction. He wanted us here, he wanted a head start. He could already be there, we have to warn them!” I shout, a panic like never before curling in my chest. Major, Nan, Priest, Reeves, Dr Perfect Face…

all of them are in danger. If he gets there, he will kill them all, and then no one will be left to stop him.

With a growl, I jog through the house, grabbing my already packed bag before trying to leave the room. Maxen runs in with the others following closely behind, even Dray and Vasilisy are there, a hard look on their faces.

“Mi Alma, what are you doing?” Maxen asks, arms folded as he blocks the doorway.

“I can ride fast, I know shortcuts, I might be able to get there and warn them before he makes it,” I shout, dropping my bag and staring him down, ready to fight through him if I need to. He looks at me as his face drops, making me feel like shit.

“You would go through me? I am only trying to help…” he whispers, before moving out of the way, his jaw clenching as he looks at the wall, ignoring me.

Fuck, I don’t have time for this. I glance at the open doorway and back at him.

“I have to ride fast, I need to warn the leaders. I gathered them there like a fucking offering for him. This is my responsibility, I have to stop this,” I finish, hesitating as I pick up my bag and sling it over my shoulder. Dray steps forward.

“I need to reinforce my camp…” He hesitates, and I know the feeling. I offer him a small strained smile.

“I know, stay here, catch up when you can.”

He growls before turning and punching the wall, his back heaving with his breaths.

“I will be okay,” I say softly, and I watch as he hunches his shoulders.

“You shouldn’t face him alone,” he growls.

“He might not even be there yet, the quicker you finish, the quicker you can be at my side. In fact…” I turn to the guys. “Help him? Please, it could be a trap. Getting me to leave so they can attack again. I need someone here I can trust.” I watch as their faces close down.

“No,” Jax says, dismissing my idea instantly.

“Jax–”

“I said no!” he shouts, his face enraged. He steps forward and faces me. “You are not rushing back there, he could be waiting for all we know. We go together.”

“Baby, please. I can’t have any more blood on my hands, I have to warn them, but I need you here. I need you to help Dray, then you can follow me. We will only be apart for a couple of hours.”

He stares me down and Drax steps up to his side, his face serious. Blowing out a breath he stares at me, his hand restraining his brother. “Are you sure about this?” he asks.

Swallowing hard I nod. “It’s the best plan we have.”

“Then that is what we do,” Drax says, his voice hard before dropping me a wink, making me smile.

I see Thorn and Maxen start to argue and he shouts over them.

“Shut the fuck up. The more we argue, the less time we have to catch up. Taz is right. She knows this man better than us and she has never steered us wrong yet. So, have a bit of fucking faith in our girl, brothers, or I will kick your ass for her.” He winces at my dirty look, then he carries on.

“Okay, I will help her kick your ass. So, pull up your panties and let’s get this shit done. ”

“Well fuck,” I murmur before leaning into Drax and dropping a kiss on his lips. “Thank you,” I whisper only for him.

“Always, baby,” he whispers back before turning to the others with an expectant look in his eyes.

Thorn steps forward, his eyes sad and worried. “Stay safe, babygirl, we will be right behind you.” I nod and close my eyes as he leans in and presses a lingering kiss to my forehead, making my heart pound.

He turns and leaves the room without looking back, a determined Drax on his heels. Jax blows out a breath and turns to me. “Wait for us.” Is all he says before leaving without a goodbye.

Maxen is last, still hesitating before stepping close to me.

“Stay safe, Mi Alma. Remember, we are always with you.” He covers my heart before yanking me close and smashing our lips together.

He lets go as fast as he grabbed me, leaving me reeling from the desperate kiss.

With a nod, he turns and leaves as well.

I turn to Dray and Vasilisy, who steps forward. “I will come with you, little queen.” I don’t even have time to argue before he too has left.

“Ride hard and ride fast, soulmate, I will be chasing you like always.” I nod and Dray steps forward so we are toe to toe.

“If he is there, you fucking kill that bastard, but save some for me.” I grin at him and he grins back, his belief in me making my back harden.

He doesn’t kiss me or offer sweet words, instead he pulls the blade he gave me the night before and pushes it into my hands.

“Keep this hidden, just in case.” I nod again, like a broken doll, and he turns, striding away before stopping at the door with his back to me.

“Oh, and Worth? Don’t you dare have too much fun without me, I want to make a Berserker coat before the day is through.

” With that, he leaves to sort his people and I am alone.

Alone for the first time in months. It’s cold and I feel paranoid, but I have managed all my life, I can manage for the few hours it will take them to sort out the Seekers.

I know this is the best plan, but why do my bones ache and my heart hurt?

My stomach churns and I feel as if every decision I am making is costing lives, I just hope it isn’t my own.

Steeling my spine, I leave the room, descending the steps with my head high and my face blank.

Vasilisy waits for me at the bottom of the steps, with our bikes.

Swinging on, I don’t look back before I gun it, I can’t afford the weakness that it would show.

Not now, not when I know I am going to face Ivar before the day is through.

Today, I bring back the old Worth, with a few new perks.

I grin at the thought and run my hand down my leg until I feel the knife Dray gave me.

Sands below, don’t let me be too late.

Vasilisy and I ride hard, not stopping, pushing our bikes to the limit.

I can hear mine rattling even as I press the gas.

He follows me, leaning and swerving as we cross the back roads.

Once we hit the main road out of Seeker territory, the land I know like the back of my hand comes into view and I go to town, hitting all the shortcuts I know.

It’s reckless and stupid, and if anyone attacks us now I wouldn’t even see them coming, but my mind has narrowed to me getting back to The Ring in time to save them.

I can hear my heartbeat as it crashes against my chest with every mile we travel, I can taste the sand as it kicks up and sprays my face.

The air whistles past me, burning my ears, my eyes water from the speed and yet, I go faster still.

I don’t even double check that Vasilisy is still with me as we hit a tunnel.

Carved into a stone wall, buried under a mound of sand, is a tight old train tunnel.

A passage from this side of the Wastes to The Ring.

It’s pitch black and there’s a possibility it’s filled with cannibals, but it will shave at least three hours off our ride, so I knuckle down and try to keep my breathing even.

I hear Vasilisy laugh as we gun it into the tunnel. He pulls up next to me as we flick on our bike lights. Groaning at the mess inside, I have to change gear and slow down so that I don’t crash into the debris littering the passageway.

“I forgot how amazing it feels to be alive!” Vasilisy shouts as he dodges around a cement divider.

I glance over at him to see a crazy grin covering his face as he whoops and revs his bike.

Shaking my head, I turn back to face the tunnel, only to swear and swerve as a body flies out of a hole in the tunnel wall.

I swerve so fast the bike goes down and sends me skidding across the concrete, the bike following me.

I smash into a sandbag and quickly roll as the bikes smashes, two seconds later, right where I was not a moment before.

I don’t have time to catch my breath, I grab a sword in one hand and my whip in the other.