The good news is I know where the missing two are now.
The bad news is they’re not alone.
“Look what we found!” one of the Caligos shouts to his comrades and barks a laugh. “The whore leader herself!”
My whole world grows still when I lay my eyes on Vera in that asshole’s grip. He holds her by her braids, one large arm wrapped around her torso.
No, no, no.
Not Vera.
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
PHOENIX
Where the fuck is Jax?
“Kill her!” one of the Caligos by the fire spits.
“You fuckhead, no!” Another one pushes him. “Boss said if we capture her, bring her in for questioning.”
“Ah, we kill her and tell him it was an accident. She fought back,” the first one says, pushing his comrade back. “She’s caused enough trouble as is!”
No fucking way they’re going anywhere with Vera.
I lift my bow and aim at the man holding her.
It’s a dangerous shot because he holds her against his chest.
I inhale.
Exhale.
Let go.
The arrow strikes right between his eyes. Vera blinks, startled by the proximity of the arrow to her head. His heavy body falls, dragging her with him.
I don’t waste time.
Quickly, I aim another arrow. And another. Only when the fourth body falls to the dirty floor do the other Caligos spring into action.
Enjoy your meal, I tell Lorca in my mind, even if I can’t feel their presence anymore.
“Get the whore!” one shouts.
“Find the archer!”
“Protect the goods!”
While they scramble to figure out what to do, I strike one more of theirs. I’m about to aim at the sixth, but a shadow jumps out of nowhere and punches the motherfucker.
Blood splays from his mouth.
It’s Jax.
I’m startled for a moment. He’s vicious the way he punches the guy in the gut, and then grabs his head between his hands and smacks it into his knee.
Even from where I kneel, I hear the Caligos’s skull crack.
