Perhaps they are going to kill me.
All the proof is there to see.
They move differently.
They make very little noise, and they flow together like they’ve known each other all their lives.
They listen to sounds but also to what they aren’t hearing. It’s like they all did training together.
The confusion grows until I can’t take it anymore. I stalk up to Mordecai, stabbing a finger into his chest.
“The least you could have done is told me you all know each other,” I snarl.
He turns his head, those pale blue eyes locking onto me, and he frowns. “We don’t.”
“You are too in-sync. I don’t have a problem if you know each other, just don’t lie to me.”
He turns to me properly and ducks down so our heads are level. His eyes map over my face, and what he sees I don’t think he likes.
I’m panting and sweating, and I think I’m swaying, or the world is.
“Omega, I promise you, I have never met these two alphas before today, well, yesterday.”
I stare at him and swipe my tongue over my bottom lip as I try to decide whether I believe him or not. I sway and reach out, catching his shoulders so I don’t fall.
“It’s the way you move, the looks, your silent communication. You can’t think I’m an idiot,” I whisper, but the reason I’m asking is disappearing into smoke floating on the wind. “You’re going to kill me.”
I don’t know what I’m doing.
He reaches out to touch my cheek but stops and pulls his hand back. “I do not know them. We probably move in similar ways because we’ve spent our whole lives being hunted, and we’re alphas—a part of us is instinctive, despite us wishing it were otherwise. And killing you is the last thing I would ever do.”
I stare at him, trying to believe him, but I’ve been wrong so many times before. Everyone I love dies, and anyone who knows me soon loses their life.
The cost is too high.
“I would not lie to you, Omega, not here. There is nothing to be gained by lying.”
“You don’t know each other?” My voice wobbles.
He shakes his head and smiles, and it takes my breath away. I don’t think Mordecai smiles much; if he did, he would know how potent it is and restrain himself.
“I know you don’t have any reason to yet, but you can trust us, Kaida.”
My eyes jump to his when he says my name. It’s said softly, low, like he’s teasing it out, tasting it.
Jarek jumps up onto a car, and rats race away, their skin wings unfolding as they leap into the air and soar.
“Ew, I hate those things,” Jarek snarls.
I lean against a metal box that’s tipped on its side and giggle. The three of them stare at me in concern, but I’m too wrapped up in watching the rats scurry away.
“The rats are omegas. Running for their lives.” I snort and double over, coughing hard enough that it sends stabbing pain into my lungs.
Mordecai stands up and gestures for me to go ahead of him. I do, skirting the rusted shell of the car just in case there are any more rats under there.
Jarek jumps off and tumbles in mid-air before landing gracefully. Cadel is in the shadows, watching intently.
“We’re not going to make it,” he says suddenly. “We need to hole up now.”
