Page 120 of Commanding Blood And Bonds

Still choking, I dove for the enemy with the cursed weapon. Like a goddamn bird, that uniformed figure dropped from the ceiling, and their boots collided with his skull.

We all went down in a tangled pile, my hand locking around the Renown’s wrist while the lithe figure rolled and snatched the weapon, training it on our enemy.

“Clear!” echoed around us as the others finished the sweep.

Panting, “You good?” I turned toward my supposed Wing⁠—

Gone.

Weapon? Also gone.

I spun, found the rafters empty, and my heart slammed into its cage.

There—nearly to the far side. The figure sprinted across a beam, Paladin uniform flitting behind her.

I hoisted my gun up and fired in rapid succession. The rounds ricocheted off her shield, but I swore she flinched. Which meant she knew exactly what those bullets in her hand could do.

“Wraith!” I barked, scanning frantically, and deciding the corner offices built into the far wall would be my best bet as our team opened fire.

Hopefully, they’d at least be distracting enough to slow her down. I bolted across the open space as she scampered through the open rafters above me. Leaping toward the wall of the office, my boots pushed off the siding as my gloved fingers clamped onto the sharp corner of the office’s roof decking. With one great pull, I was on my feet, ducking under the railing to sprint across the plywood, dodging outdated HVAC equipment. Meanwhile, the Wings stopped shooting—probably concerned I was now in their line of fire.

“Stop!” I shouted as she vaulted up, and vanished through the hole above.

Fuck me.

Shouts echoed—at least two of my Wings were in pursuit. I leapt after her, cursing my height as I lumbered across the beam and cleared the skylight. I hit the rooftop, breath tearing from my lungs. Panting down thick gulps of air, I did a full three-sixty.

Nothing.

No trace. No sound. No shadow. Panic prickled through my chest—until the shadows tugged left.

There.

Three buildings over. Her figure leapt wide, graceful as a dancer in mid-flight. I followed into the realm between, traveled through shadow, and stepped into place just as she landed. She screeched—in frustration, not fear.

I caught her mid-momentum, sending us toppling over. I twisted and my shoulder slammed into the roof first as I curled instinctively to shield her body, the weapon skidding across gravel as I clung to her delicate frame.

What the fuck am I doing?

I rolled again, reversed our positions, shoved her off and drove my boot into her sternum.

She hissed—feral, feline, and vicious.

Vaguely, I recognized Carr yelling my name from the warehouse roof, but I was too busy scrambling to my feet to answer. In a mad dash, I dove for the weapon, dropped the mag into my palm, pocketed the ammo in two practiced motions, then slammed the empty mag back into place and spun, training the weapon forward. I was betting it had one round in the chamber.

My eyes swept the now-empty rooftop as I fought to catch my breath.

Anybody got eyes on her? I demanded mind-to-mind.

Negative. She’s in the wind, man, Carr replied, his focus on me palpable.

Did you fucking see that? She just vanished, Nix added, surprising me.

Jumper? I guessed.

I don’t think so, Carr thought. She dove off the building like a fucking bird. I shifted down as fast as I could, but she was just gone.

Goosebumps rose along my neck.