An arrow whizzes through air and sinks right in the middle of my left thigh. I grunt through clenched teeth. Everyone’s attention snaps to me, then to the archer perched on one of the damn roofs.
“Phoenix!” It’s Vera’s voice.
The archer raises his bow, readying to strike again.
“Get behind the carriage!” I scream.
Thankfully, everyone does. The pain in my thigh is bad, but bearable. I limp around the edge of the carriage while keeping an eye on the archer.
He fits the arrow in place and draws the string.
No fucking way am I dying tonight.
Not like this.
Jax swoops in at the last moment, grabbing me by the waist and pulling my weight onto him and off my injured leg so I can move faster.
We round the corner right as the arrow whizzes through the air. It lands next to our feet on the ground.
“Fuck,” I mutter. I look up at Jax. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it, darling.”
He lets go of me and I grab my own bow. Quickly, I glance at the archer through the corner. He’s up, running across the roof to get a better angle at us. From this far, I can’t see if he carries Caligos tattoos. But if I had to guess…
I aim and shoot him right as he’s midair, jumping between the two buildings.
“Take that, motherfucker,” I murmur as the lifeless body falls onto the hard stone pavement.
“What the fuck was that?” Jax asks.
I place my bow back in its place. “Caligos. Who else?”
Vera’s face is grim as she looks at me.
“I didn’t betray you!” The words rush out of me in a breath. “I swear! I spend all my time with you!”
“I know,” she says and looks at Jax.
“I didn’t betray you either! Vera, I promise on my life! Madame Mercy promised protection! She wouldn’t have betrayed us. Not to Caligos.”
Vera’s not entirely convinced, but she says, “Well, someone did. If I had to guess, there will be more Caligos coming here. And soon.”
“We need to get out of here,” Hojo cries, looking around.
Tanaka is mute, terrified. Hel looks less fearful, but still worried.
“Girls, get inside,” I order them.
They don’t have to be told twice.
“Let’s go,” I say to Vera.
Right as Vera gets inside the carriage, I hear them.
A lot of them.
Roaring, weapons clinging, a group of Caligos approach us on foot from a nearby street. A moment later, another group emerges from a street on the other side of us.
