I head to the edge of town, not second guessing myself. “Of coursewecan,” I emphasize, because there’s strength in numbers.
Waiting to say any more until we’re at the woods bordering the edge of town, we abandon the car and I grab the duffle bag as the others climb out. This side of town is as far as possible from the lab we pulled her out of, and it doesn't take a genius to know she’d avoid that direction like the plague. Striding into the tree line, I close my eyes to center myself, trying to block everything else out and focus.
That revelation at the lab masquerading as a Sanctuary for dragons to come into their powers, when we saw our sister’s mates transform to save her, no special ritual needed like we’d been led to believe? It just proved that the power we seek is lurking even more closely beneath the surface than we ever imagined, just beyond our reach. We’re dragons, whether or not we figure out how to shift and unlock any extra abilities. We’re stronger, faster.
Hunters.
On my next inhale, I can scent her fear on the air. It coats my tongue, spurs a primal part into awakening that I’ve never given much thought to before. I want this, wantherenough to drag those buried instincts from the depths of my soul to the forefront. She’s prey, and she’s running.
And a predator loves the chase.
Chapter 4
Saige
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Idon’t think I wasprepared for the silence. Even if I rarely spoke, there were always people around, sort of noise. And at the Veles brothers’ house, it was damn near constant with as many of them as there are. But out here in the wilderness, there’s just the chirping of birds and the crunching of fallen leaves beneath my feet.
All I have is a knife and the clothes on my back; a pair of Ezra’s jeans and one of Kahl’s shirts. I wasn’t about to be a bitch and steal their shit before leaving, so I’m just going to have to do what I’ve always done.
Figure it out as I go along.
Well rested and fed, I feel better than I can ever remember. I’ll be able to keep going for several days at this rate before I start running out of steam, I’m just not sure where exactly I should go. As far away from that prison as possible for sure, but that’s just a direction, not a safe haven. There used to be a few underground human camps, but that was years ago. For all I know, they’ve been found and wiped out, have someone waiting for strays to wander there. No, it’s too risky. I’m better off on my own.
Always alone. It’s safer that way.
The day turns to night without incident, for which I’m grateful. I may not have wanted to bite the hands that fed me, but I don’t have the same qualms when it comes to strangers. I managed to swipe a pocket knife from a porch railing on my way out of town, knowing I needed at least some way to hunt and defend myself. Because no matter how much I may try, they’ll find me eventually. There’s nowhere safe to hide, so I need to resign myself to living a life on the run, never staying in one place for too long.
I’m grateful as hell that they can’t just smell the difference between our kinds; makes it harder to track us. But I can’t find a way to undermine the animalistic instinct that makes us stand apart to each other. The same way a wolf in the wild crosses paths with a rabbit and they have a sudden sense ofprey,I can be near a dragon-blood and my instincts screamdanger.If I can just find a way to mask that, to make myself emanate that same strength and power, I could hide in plain sight.
If only they all had the same hoard of choice, then I could just throw something like a damn stick and watch them attack each other over it.At least they have that weakness coded into their genetic makeup, but no, even that can’t be easy. Nothing ever is.
I zig-zag as I amble on, knowing better than to have a predictable path in case someone’s following me. And I always need to act like someone is, can’t let my guard down. I’m being hunted by forces I don’t even know and I already miss the safety and comfort I left behind. I don’t regret it though, because I would have completely ruined their lives if I’d stayed. They’re good people, and I’d bring a plague down upon them sooner or later. I might be selfish enough to want all they had to offer, but not enough to be able to sleep at night if I took it.
The night makes it harder to see, yet I keep going. I’m more at home in the darkness anyway, able to blend in and breathe a bit easier because of it. They’re a familiar comfort, these peaceful shadows. Lord knows, the monsters you actually have to fear have no problem strutting around in the light of day.
