Page 168 of Rogue & Her Hunters
Joker keeps his expression neutral, therefore, as he gestures with a quick two-finger flick forward:Go.
Phantom nods, before dropping next to Bird and petting his hair.
Bird forces a smile, before Phantom marches out into the kitchen.
I flinch at the bang of the backdoor. I know that Phantom won’t have locked it again.
Viper needs an opening to take the bait.
Joker has his own unfinished business that he needs to take care of as well.
I will help him, but I won’t steal his revenge.
I point at Bird, patting at my waist.
Fear spears through the bond. Bird is terrified, unlike the rest of us, he is not used to being in situations like this. I am proud that he is prepared to face it for his pack.
Bird’s hair is plastered to his face. His breathing is ragged. His hand is trembling, but he looks determined, as he understands my order, pulling his dagger out of its sheath at his waist.
He holds it in front of him in whitening knuckles.
I slip my own dagger easily into my hand.
Joker is focused on the window, desperately searching for any glimpse of movement through the storm.
His distraction is leaving us vulnerable through the door to the kitchen.
I prowl to the door, standing to one side and scanning into the dark.
Nothing.
Our breathing sounds dark in the silence, apart from the howling of the storm.
I am coiled with tension.
Viper is coming.
But like this each second draws out.
Viper will be wearing scent and pheromone dampening patches. It won’t be possible to smell her approach. She will know that she has lost the element of surprise with the explosion. She will still be invisible to us, however, for a crucial moment or two.
Sometimes in a fight, that is enough to take someone down.
Both Joker and I could weaponize our Rogue Powers against her. Joker explained to me, however, that he needs to feel his hands stained with the ex-SEAL’s blood.
He needs to fight Viper like she did many times in hazing, training, and her nighttime visits to his bunk.
He needs to show her that he can beat her just as he is.
And I need to show Joker that he is no longer alone with Viper.
He will never be alone again.
Joker plays with his gun, although he is standing stiller than I have seen him stand before.
Suddenly, three shots ring out in the night.
Bird flinches.
