“Maybe she—” I started to say, but I was cut off by the sound of a blood-curdling scream coming from the forest. We all went still. The guards were currently dealing with a scuffle near the basketball court, and I didn’t think they’d heard it.
“That was Kallie!” Marcus cried breathlessly.
We all knew instantly that Kallie was in trouble. We bolted toward the trees. I grabbed Oberi’s fur to guide me. We hadn’t made it far into the forest when he skidded to a halt beside me.
“You’re going to walk away and leave him alone!” a male voice shouted. “You’re not to talk to him ever again.”
Something ripped, like a piece of fabric. “Ow! You’re hurting me!” Kallie screamed.
I hardly had a moment to process what was going on before Marcus ran forward. “Get off of her!”
He must’ve shoved the guy, because I heard him stumble backward. The big guy wasn’t the only one confronting Kallie, though. There were at least three others, judging by the shouting that ensued.
“Don’t youdaretouch Big G,” someone growled.
“You know your place,” another snapped.
“You really want to stand up forthisbitch?” a third guy laughed, like he found it comical.
“Marcus!” Kallie cried in relief. “Thank the gods you’re okay. They said you were hurt out here and asked for my help. They lured me here!”
The gang members ignored her. Heavy footsteps squished through the mud. Judging by the deep voice, it was Big G. “Do you really want to fight me, Little Drummer Boy? Or shall I leave you to Bones? He’ll have one hell of a great time with this story. Poor little Marcus, sticking up for the dainty little fae girl.”
“Hell yeah, I’ll stick up for her,” Marcus said. I’d never heard his voice come out so strong.
Big G laughed. “Wrong answer. You’re one of the Dead Men Walking. You don’t get to associate yourself with bitches like her anymore. You belong tous!”
“I belong to no one!” Marcus snapped.
“Tell that to Bones.”
The gang members moved so fast that none of us could react. I heard their footsteps, then Kallie let out a cry. Marcus grunted, like he’d been punched in the gut. Rishi hissed, and Oberi barked loudly. I moved to jump in and give them a piece of my mind, but Ava grabbed my arm and yanked me back.
“They’ve got a shiv to Kallie’s neck!” she cried.
My blood went cold. Fuck— if we made a wrong move, her life would be over.
“Stand back!” one of the gang members yelled. “Or the fae gets it!”
Whoever was holding her must’ve been strong, because I could hear Kallie struggling, yet she couldn’t get free. I heard someone snap their fingers, and I realized Kallie must be trying to stop time. It wasn’t working.
Oberi, what’s happening?I demanded.
A vampire’s got a hold of Kallie,he told me quickly.The big one punched Marcus and has his arm twisted behind his back.
Fuck, they’d gained the upper hand. If Ava or I tried anything, they could slice Kallie’s throat right then. Ava’s fingers trembled on my wrist. She still hadn’t let me go.
“It’s time to teach you a lesson,” Big G growled at Marcus. “I’m going to give you a choice right here, right now. It’s the Dead Men Walking, or your girlfriend. But I’m warning you, if you choose her, she’ll bleed out in under a minute.”
“Why do you care?” Marcus spat. “She’s done nothing to you!”
“Because you took an oath!” Big G yelled. “We don’t associate with people outside our own. She’s nothing but a distraction. How many of our secrets have you shared with her— or your loser friends over there, for that matter?’
“None— ow!”
“How many!” Big G roared.
“None, I swear! Just let her go,” Marcus begged.
