Page 92 of Marc
The monster hesitated, then turned and sprinted into the darkness.
Jameson and Kai arrived first, the others not far behind them.
“Go!” I yelled. “Don’t let it get away.”
“Amaia.” Kai looked where she was sprawled on the ground.
“I’ve got her. Go.”
They ran into the darkness. I kneeled and scooped Amaia into my arms. “I’ve got you.”
“Zeke.” She clung to me, pressing her face into my neck. “I was so afraid.”
As always, when she was close, things settled inside me.
“I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
“They attacked the vehicle. They came out of nowhere.God.” She dragged in a shaky breath. “Are the others okay?”
“They’re fine.” Holding her close, I tilted her chin up and touched her temple. “You’re bleeding.”
“I just caught some glass in the crash.” She shuddered.
I rubbed a finger through the blood on her temple. It wasn’t cut too badly, but I still hated seeing her pretty, pale skin with blood on it. I ran a hand down her hair.
“Thanks, Zeke. For coming for me.”
All I could manage was a nod. I could never fucking get a word out around this woman. She tied me up in knots.
Hitching her up in my arms, I headed back toward the gate.
“Amaia.” Tane’s face was set in hard lines as he stalked toward us.
“I’m okay, Dad.”
He reached for her. For a second, my arms tightened, then reluctantly I handed her to her father.
“Thank God,” Tane said. “Thanks, Zeke.”
A moment later, Jameson and the others returned.
“The monster got away into the trees,” Kai said unhappily.
“Everyone’s alive,” Devlin noted. “That’s the main thing.” He frowned at the ruined vehicle. “This was a pretty brazen attack so close to town.”
My gaze was still on Amaia. There was something on her face. Something she wasn’t telling us.
“Amaia?” I growled.
Her gaze flicked to me for a moment, then back to her dad. “That monster… It was after me.”
I froze solid.
“It yanked the roof off, then pulled Jon and Ciera out of the car, and tossed them aside.” She bit her lip. “It wanted me.”
“How do you know?” I demanded.
She pulled in a sharp breath. “It said my name.”
Tane cursed. “Come on. Let’s get you to the infirmary. I want Doc Emerson to check you over. Then we’ll sort out whatever the hell happened here.” He spun and carried her to the gate.
I stood there, watching. She looked over her father’s shoulder, her gaze meeting mine. I watched until they disappeared from view, then I turned and looked into the darkness.
You can’t fucking have her.
You’ll have to go through me first.
