Curling her lips in disgust, she plunged her dagger into his chest angrily. She pulled the blade out and wiped it off on the ground below. He didn’t deserve a fast death. But she was true to her word, and they had bigger things to worry about than torturing a demon.
“Shit.” Freja swore between clenched teeth. The cursed forest was a two-hour run in the other direction. They had run away from Jin. Not only that, but the demon Harley had her.
“This just got difficult.” Freja sighed as she stood up. “Harley is just as powerful as Leoric.” She looked at Chasen. “We can’t defeat him on our own. And he won’t be alone. I can try talking with him, a favor for a favor … but if it goes sour—” Freja rubbed her forehead. They were both exhausted, but there was no way either one of them could rest. She could see how worried and scared Chasen was, especially after hearing the reason Jin was taken.
“Don’t worry. We’re going to get her back.” Freja stood up and sighed. “We have a long run back in the other direction. Let’s get going.”
Chasen could see how tired Freja was, and he was feeling it too. But they were both carried by the driving force of rescuing Jin. It was disheartening, and they felt defeated. They had come so far, only to find out they were barely getting started. Now they had to face a stronger demon, and they were both depleted. Chasen would risk his life to protect Jin and his unborn child, and this fueled an energy inside him he didn’t know he had.
The two turned and raced back in the direction they had just come from. Maybe he could be a distraction so Freja could get Jin out of there?
His poor, sweet Jin. If they touched her, he wouldn’t be able to contain his anger. She had already been through so much, and now she was going through it again. This time, though, he was coming for her. Just like he promised when she first came to them. No matter what … he would find her. And he would save her.
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
The fireflies danced in the darkness as the wind rustled through the weeds and tossed them from side to side. The frogs and crickets joined in on the night chorus and accompanied the main melody of two bodies running, their movements humming through the air. Freja glanced up for a moment. Small diamonds peppered the night sky, and dark clouds floated slowly on the horizon. The moon was following them on their journey and creating a small light that pierced the darkness. They were almost back to the cursed forest when she halted abruptly.
Her senses were tingling, and it didn’t take her long to understand why. The sweet scent of her mate rose in the air. Hunter had come, and he was close. She looked over at Chasen, who had his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
“Guess Hunter didn’t listen and wait.” Chasen chuckled, sensing his brother's presence and relieved he was here. With his brother joining them, they now had another formidable ally to help. Freja had mentioned earlier that they couldn’t defeat Harley, but Chasen had already decided he would protect Jin no matter what, even at the cost of his life, if necessary. With Hunter here, the power was shifting in their favor.
The rustling sound got closer, and soon the beady eyes of wolves came into view. Freja’s gaze locked onto the silver wolf, who shifted before her eyes.
“Freja, thank goodness.” Hunter walked up to her and pulled her into his chest. At first, he felt relieved, until he looked over at Chasen. Jin was still not with them.
“Where’s Jin?” Hunter asked as he pulled back slightly.
“We caught up with the demons that had kidnapped her. However, another demon took her.” Freja frowned. “Unfortunately, it’s a much stronger demon. He’s on the same level as Leoric, the son of an original demon.”
“And he has Jin now? Why?” Hunter frowned looking at Chasen. His brother’s face was worn with exhaustion and worry.
“He took her as a mate,” Freja said quietly.
Hunter’s eyes flashed black as a low growl reverberated in his chest. He walked up to Chasen and slapped his hand on his shoulder. “We’re getting her back. Don’t worry. We are getting her back.” He watched his brother nod his head and look away as his bottom lip quivered slightly. Hunter would rip this demon apart. He didn’t care how powerful he was.
“We’ll try to negotiate with him first. We don’t know how many other demons he will have with him. Worst case scenario … Chasen takes Jin and runs while we hold them off.” Freja pinned Hunter with her green eyes.
“No. You take Jin and run. I will hold them off,” Chasen said in a low, threatening tone. “You need my strength to hold them off. No matter how strong you two are, you’re not a guardian.”
Freja turned and looked at Winston and Sam. “They can take Jin and run. The three of us can hold them off then.” Hunter’s silver eyes flashed at her, and she gave him a soft smile. Of course, Hunter didn’t want her staying, but she didn’t want him staying either. This was a compromise. And when it cameto demons, she had the most experience. “We have no time to waste. We need to keep going.”
Hunter looked at her and Chasen. “You both are exhausted. What good are you fighting in this condition?”
“I couldn’t rest now anyway. I can’t rest not knowing what’s happening to Jin …” Chasen trailed off quietly. He clenched his fists at his sides and squinted his eyes shut. All he could see were images of his Jin, happy and laughing. Stealing his hidden chocolate from his drawer, running through the candy store, the way she looked when she told him she was pregnant. He could see it all in his mind. It was painful. He set his jaw and inhaled deeply. He would not live this life without her. And he hated himself for dragging his brother into this. He was supposed to be keeping him safe but instead was now relying on his strength. He was taking his brother into danger.
“I’ve tracked for days straight before. I’ll be fine. We’ll sleep for days after this to recover. Unless you’re too tired to go on, Alpha. Then you can just wait for us here.” Freja winked at him, and he chuckled.
“Why aren’t you running in your feral forms?” Hunter asked, looking at the two of them.
“I have more agility and can move just as fast in this form, thanks to being part vampire.” Freja answered with a shrug.
“I find running in my animal form faster.” Hunter frowned. He was a tribrid, too.
“It’s just what you’re used to. Honestly … it doesn’t matter, right?” Freja grinned and Hunter lifted his head toward Chasen for his response.
“My bear form is too loud. It would be like sounding the alarm for me to run in that form. I’m able to keep up like this, though, so it’s for the best. I shifted into a bear when we took out the demons.” Chasen sighed heavily, a white cloud forming from his breath.
“I’ll lead the way. Try to keep up, or I’ll leave you behind.” Freja smirked back at Hunter, who shook his head and chuckled. There was no time to lose. Every minute—no, every second—could be torture for Jin. They had to get to her fast.
