It was quick, but deep and fierce. The touch of his lips was soft, but firm, his tongue claiming.
He left me aching when he pulled back. “I’ll be waiting for you,” he rasped.
I nodded, swallowing hard as a brief wave of dizziness washed over me.
“Stay safe,” I said, the words laced with desperation. I didn’t want to leave him, but for this night, it was better if I was somewhere safe.
I turned toward Jude, who guided me toward the back door. Every step had the dread building, highly aware of Roman’s sharp gaze on me as I walked away.
“I need you to stay as quiet as possible,” Jude whispered as he opened the door, and the cold air bit at my face. “You know the plan, correct?”
Jude would take me to a safe location just outside of Ember Hollow.
“Yes,” I said softly. “You’re taking me to a cabin.”
He gave a small nod. “The vehicle is parked outside of the wooded area near a back road. Follow me as close as you can. Stay low and quiet.”
I peeked over my shoulder before we stepped out into the night. Roman was barely visible in the dark kitchen, but I sensed his attention.
Then Jude tugged me into the black night, and my heart pumped adrenaline through my body like venom.
The moon was hidden behind a thick blanket of clouds; not one star was visible. The night was heavy and silent, like the entire world had been swallowed by shadows.
The hair on the back of my neck rose, and I scanned the yard, convinced I’d see a pair of eyes watching me.
Jude positioned me so I was at his side, but slightly behind him. He curled a hand into my coat to steer me in the right direction, whispering low directions, though I had no idea how he could see. I felt blind.
Jude moved with a quiet confidence, darting from one patch of cover to the next as we cut toward the trees. I followed as carefully as I could, tripping over a mound of leftover snow and fallen sticks which only became worse when we hit the woods.
I stumbled along, Jude keeping me upright at some points as we rushed through the tight patch of trees and underbrush. It seemed like it took forever before the faint outline of a vehicle appeared through the trees.
My stomach lurched as we came upon the dark sedan.
Jude opened the back door and helped me slide into the seat. A moment later, he climbed in, started the engine, and pulled the car away from the trees and drove off into the darkness.
Nervous energy thrummed through me as we drove.
I stared out the window as the road slipped by, my thoughts drifting to Roman.
What was he doing right now? Would the Shadow Stalker take the bait? If he did, how long would it take?
Although an entire tactical team was waiting for that serial killer, I still couldn’t stop worrying.
The drive took about fifteen minutes, but I was pretty sure we hadn’t taken a straightforward path.
Eventually the sedan turned off the main road and onto a narrow gravel drive that was hidden so thoroughly among the brush that I didn’t see it until we were on it.
The trees closed in around us as we drove, thick and dark. For a moment, I wondered whether there was even a cabin out here at all.
Then a darker shape emerged. Slowly, the headlights revealed the outline of a small hunting cabin deep in the woods.
August had explained that it used to be rented out years ago, but the family who owned it had stopped after it had been broken into. Apparently they’d done August a favor and allowed him to use it just for tonight.
There were no records of anyone staying here. No reason for anyone to come snooping.
Jude parked the car and cut the engine. The headlights shut off, plunging everything back into blackness.
We both stepped out, and he rushed me toward the cabin. We didn’t turn on any exterior lights, and inside it was almost darker. Jude reached into his pocket and handed me a flashlight.
