“Will this nightmare never end?” Kylie cried out then dissolved into helpless sobbing.
Tears stung Heather’s eyes as she considered the question. For her, the answer was a resounding no. Unable to ignore her friend’s terror, she went to Kylie and wrapped her arm around Kylie’s shoulders. “You’re all right,” Heather whispered, not believing her own words. “We’re all going to be all right.” It didn’t matter who won this battle. Heather was screwed either way.
She had spent five tense days in Eagle Village when her worst fear was realized. She spotted Patrick, one of the hybrids assigned to her medical team. Heather’s heart lurched and a ball of dread dropped into the pit of her stomach. Luckily, he hadn’t seen her, but why did it have to be Patrick? Of all the hybrids she’d interacted with, Patrick resented her most. Hewould end her life the second he discovered her inside the walls of his village. She had no doubt about that. So Heather had been hiding in the bunkhouse ever since. Her roommates brought food to the bedroom and Heather never ventured downstairs.
Another scream refocused Heather’s mind on the present. Patrick was the least of her problems tonight. Her safety with the cats had not been guaranteed, but they were a better option than either the wolves or the raptors. Maybe she should just take off, escape into the forest, and find the feline village on her own.
The thought was ridiculous, and she knew it. The feline village was somewhere in the valley far below the mountain on which the raptor shifters lived. She’d been brought to Eagle Village in a skimmer, so she had no idea which direction she should travel or how long it would take her to reach her destination on foot.
Heather drew up her legs and wrapped her arms around her knees. A mad dash into the night wasn’t an option, but she really did need a workable plan. If the wolves made it upstairs, the females would likely be taken to the lupine village. If the raptors prevailed, the other women would be safe, but Heather would be in even more danger. Each day she spent in Eagle Village increased the chances that her secret would be discovered. She had to get back to the feline village. It was her only hope.
Heavy footfalls echoed in the hallway outside the bedroom. Deep male voices called to each other, but the words were muffled by the door.
“Is the fighting finally over?” Susan asked, her eyes wide and uncertain.
The other women watched the door in anxious silence, unsure what would happen next.
The door inched open and light from the hallway spilled into the bedroom. The male’s face was lost in shadow, so Heather didn’t recognize him until he spoke.
“Is everyone alright? Did any of the wolves make it upstairs?”
Heather sucked in a breath as she heard Patrick’s familiar voice. She pressed back into the corner and pulled the hood on her sweatshirt up around her face.Please, God, don’t let him recognize me.
“We’re fine,” Susan assured him. “If any of the wolves made it upstairs, they didn’t come in here.”
“Good. Stay put and I’ll—” His penetrating gaze landed on Heather and his words ended abruptly. “You.” The word was a bitter accusation. “How the fuck did you get in here?” He strode across the room, expression revealed as he neared the bed. Hatred ignited in his emerald-green eyes, and his infuriated scowl made his angular features appear even sharper.
“I’m sorry,” Heather blurted as her heart thudded wildly in her chest. “I never meant to hurt you. I did everything I could to help you and the?—”
“You left me in hell!” He grabbed her ankle and dragged her to the edge of the bed.
“I had no choice,” she cried, fear making her voice shrill.
He caught her arm and yanked her up off the bed. “There are always choices.”
Heather screamed and twisted, slapping wildly as she tried to avoid his grasp. “Let go!”
He ignored her protests and her struggles as he dragged her out into the hallway.
“I’ll leave the village,” she sobbed harshly, fighting to free herself from his hold. “You’ll never see me again.”
“I should snap your neck,” Patrick sneered, “but death is too good for the likes of you.” Bending suddenly, Patrick threw Heather over his shoulder and secured her thrashing legs with one of his muscular arms.
Heather didn’t believe him. If he got her alone, her life would end. She screamed again and fought even harder, bucking and twisting, punching his back, all to no avail. He jogged down the hallway and pulled open the door leading to the back stairs.
“Patrick!”
That sounded like Raphael, one of the leaders of the raptor village. Patrick didn’t even slow down. His brawny arm tightened around her legs, and he took the stairs two at a time.
Hopelessness combined with fear and Heather found herself babbling. “Please, please, please. I’ll be good. I’ll never… I’m sorry. I don’t want to die.”
He moved to the open area behind the bunkhouse and shifted her into his arms. Golden light burst within his eyes, and a strangled groan was dragged from his throat. Energy pulsed around Heather, making her gasp and shiver, then enormous wings formed behind them, unfurling with an audible snap. Rather than the feathered wings of an eagle, Patrick had chosen to manifest leathery, spike-boned battle wings. Very few of the hybrids had this much control over their shifts, but she’d always known that Patrick was special.
“Hold on,” he ordered gruffly.
It was the only warning she got before he leapt into the air. His massive wings flapped strongly, propelling them ever higher. They flew up through the trees, then soared over the treetops. She cried out and wrapped her arms around his neck. One glance downward had her burying her face against his chest. The night was cold, the wind easily penetrating the sweatpants she used as pajamas. She wasn’t wearing her boots, but at least thick wool socks covered her feet. Her hoodie was relatively warm, but tension and the cold wind soon had her entire body shivering.
“Where are you t-taking me?” she whispered without lifting her head.
