“You good?” Kinsley asks while grabbing her upper arm, prompting her to start running with us.
“Completely,” she replies with utter conviction, though it’s hard to hear over our splashing footsteps as we get out of the open field and head for some cover. Her voice becomes a purr, raspier than usual. “I know my way around in the dark.”
Chapter 15
Saige
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Chaos erupts, Kinsleyreleasing my arm as we sprint away, Kaiden and Kahl covering our backs. There’s no being silent, water pooled around us everywhere. We splash through the open expanse of the park and towards downtown, shouts and grunts discernible above the tempestuous sky.
We only make it a block before a low rumble begins to grow rather than dissipate, the haunting sound of unsettling music rising in volume until the bass rattles the windows of every building surrounding us as much as the storm.
“Mood music?”
Shaking my head, I try to force my dragon back down, but the promise of a hunt has her pacing with anticipation, spurring me into motion and sending an unfamiliar thrill down my spine. I wince as I cut the tip of my tongue on one of my teeth. Gently running my tongue across them again, more carefully this time, I’m unnerved to find a few far more deadly than usual.
A shiver courses through me, and soon I don’t just feel her pacing in the back of my head. My skin draws tight and begins to itch as she presses just beneath it, a churning pressure that makes me worry my flesh is about to split as she attempts to force her way to the surface.
Kinsley snorts a laugh. “Got to hand it to Ez for picking something so fitting. Control is one of my favorites, but now it’s just funny.”
Kahl’s tone showcases his praise as well, taking the lead and making us veer off to the left as shots ring out around us. “Helps to cover up the sound of splashing footsteps so it’s easier for people to get the drop on you, yet with enough dips in the music you can’t rely on it as cover. Smart.”
“She’s just dramatic,” Kaiden scoffs, but there’s a smile in his voice. “No need to make her out as some mad genius. She just takes extra to a new level.”
“We’re going to get struck by lightning,” I helpfully note, feigning levity and jiggling my gun for emphasis. “Just thought I should point that out.”
Gritting my teeth, I focus on the rain assaulting my face, on the uncomfortable feeling of soaking wet socks inside of my shoes. It’smybody; I’m not just some flesh suit for a monster.
“I can help you win,”she purrs in my head, but only succeeds in pissing me off.
Holding tightly onto that anger, I use it to force her back down, starting a battle of wills.It’s not about winning. We’re here because it makes my mates happy and to try to have some fun.
She snorts, the sound echoing around my skull.“Our mates, you mean. And yet you insist on keeping me away from them.”
So, what? You want to win and prove to them you’re a worthy mate?I scoff, feeling ridiculous for even having this argument with myself.
