Okay, okay, okay!she chanted inside her head.This is it!
She didn’t know when she would get another chance.
She had to time it just right.
Eva shoved forward, hard enough to jolt the man who stood by the bench in front. He turned faster than she anticipated, hissing out a rumble as she pointed beside her. Without hesitation the man pushed Lucas, the movement causing the grip on her leg to slip. She shot to her feet, ignoring the weakness as she moved through the crowd. Her limbs felt heavy, her movements awkward as she was still to get used to her new body.
The exit was blocked, so she headed towards the centre. If she needed to make a scene she would. If she needed to climb over the damn cage and join in the fight she would.
She hadn’t been paying attention to the match, the noises and scents overwhelming as she pushed herself through the rippling crowd. They heaved forward, and she was caught in the wave, crushed by the cool mesh of the cage.
“Get back!” A man barked, banging something hard against the metal links to create an audible clang. “Everyone take a step fucking back or risk being kicked out!”
The pressure eased, and as she looked up Kace landed the final blow. His opponent collapsed only inches from her, his face swollen and covered in bruises.
A hand encircled her throat, hot breath touching her ear. “Fucking bitch!” Lucas snarled as he pulled her away. “Why did you go and ruin it?”
Eva staggered, but his grip kept her from falling.
No!she screamed inside her head, twisting until a fang nicked the skin on his arm. Blood touched her tongue, the satisfaction turning to disgust when he smirked.
“Eva?” Kace growled, his eyes turning a shade of silver as he crouched down with a frown, fingers pressing through the holes.
Lucas froze, eyes widening before he shoved them both towards the exit, getting lost in the mass. Cool air kissed her skin, the scent of rain and ozone carried by the harsh wind as Lucas guided them towards the side and away from the crowd.
It was late, the streetlights not reaching the shadows within the alley as rough brick scraped across her back, the pressure increasing on the front of her neck. It stole her breath, her lungs like cement. It was uncomfortable, but not life threatening as she no longer required as much oxygen to survive. She had learned that pretty quickly too.
“Fucking whore,” Lucas screeched, his fist hitting the wall beside her hard enough to leave an indent. “No one else will want you, I’ll make sure of it.”
His blood still coated her bottom lip, the taste divine yet she refused to savour it as she spat.
His fingers tightened, jaw flexing.
“Mr Whitlock?”
Lucas turned with a snarl as three men appeared, their hands resting on the guns at their hips. “What the fuck do you want?”
The man in the middle stepped forward, a pair of sunglasses covering the majority of his face. The other two stood relaxed, expressions schooled into militant boredom. “Mr Whitlock, if you could please accompany us to the waiting car. Your presence is required.”
Lucas released his grip, muscles tensed. His movement blurred, but as he stepped away he was met with one of the men.
“Think about your decision, Mr Whitlock,” Sunglasses said calmly, his voice matching his disinterest. “He will be most displeased if you don’t attend.” All three wore dark jeans and long-sleeved shirts, casual but also uniform. Mr Sunglasses lifted up his sleeves, revealing a tattoo of a tightly coiled snake.
Eva shrank back against the coarse brick, trying to make herself look as small and nonthreatening as possible. She flicked her gaze to the right, looking deeper into the shadows and the possible escape beyond. Her sight may have improved, but not enough to see into the pitch black.
“I’ll get him his money,” Lucas said quickly, eyes dropping to the snake marking. “Tell Dutch not to worry, I’ll get it.”
“Oh we know you will, Mr Whitlock,” Mr Sunglasses said as he gestured to Eva with his chin. “She’s pretty, a new pet?”
Eva tensed, hands curling into claws as she felt her fangs punch down. She turned back to the shadows. Would she make it if she ran?
As if he could read her thoughts Mr Sunglasses smirked. “Try it.” His hand touched the gun on his hip in warning.
Fuck.
“Now if you will both come with me, we have a car waiting.”
Chapter3
