Suddenly—a sickly sweet rotting smell.
"Stop." Evan raised his hand.
Everyone froze, scanning the surroundings. Shadows shifted. Six vampires leapt from behind trees, blood-red eyes glowing in the dark.
"Protect Miss Ross!" Evan shouted, drawing his pistol.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Silver bullets streaked through the night, hitting their marks. Three vampires shrieked and collapsed, bodies shriveling rapidly. The other warriors opened fire. Gunshots echoed through the forest.
Two warriors shielded me, raising their barriers against lunging vampires. My hand went to my gun, but I didn't draw—I was afraid of hitting our own people.
Another volley. The remaining vampires fell. Black blood spread across the ground, reeking.
"Keep moving," Evan said. "Stay alert."
We quickened our pace. The pull in my chest intensified until I could barely breathe.
Two more ambushes—five vampires, two traitorous wolves. Evan and the warriors worked in seamless coordination, dispatching them quickly. I stayed well-protected the entire time. Not even my clothes got bloodied.
Finally—the abandoned mining district. A scene of decay.Collapsed buildings. Rusted rails. Several dark mine entrances gaping like mouths.
"Miss Ross," Evan turned to me. "Can you pinpoint Kai's location?"
I closed my eyes and focused on the pull.
"There." I opened my eyes and pointed to the largest mine entrance. "He's deep inside."
Evan nodded and began deploying the team.
"Pairs. Search the perimeter. Report enemy contacts immediately. No one acts alone."
"Yes, sir!"
The warriors scattered.
"Miss Ross, stay close," Evan said. "We're going in."
I nodded and followed right behind him. The mine was pitch black inside. Moss-covered walls. Damp, moldy smell. Evan clicked on his flashlight, the beam cutting through the darkness.
"Watch your step," he said quietly.
The ground was uneven, water pooling in places. We advanced carefully. The deeper we went, the larger the space became. Torches appeared on the walls—someone had been here.
"Mommy..." A faint voice.
My heart lurched.
"Kai!" I started to rush forward, but Evan grabbed me.
"Wait." He scanned the area warily. "Could be a trap."
But the voice came again, clearer.
"Mommy... help me..."
I couldn't hold back. I wrenched free from Evan and ran toward the voice.
"Miss Ross!" Evan shouted behind me, but I'd already plunged deeper into the mine.
