Page 102 of Power of Shadow

Finally, I grab it firmly enough to get a good grip. I’m going to stab him right in the neck and kill the son of a bitch, but at the last moment, he sees what’s happening out of the corner of his eye. He lets go of my neck and blocks my movement, so I choose the next best place.

Once... Twice... Three times I sink the steel into his side. The roar of pain is like music to my ears. And that’s enough for him to roll off me, falling to the side.

I gasp for air, grateful for every breath.

Jesus Christ.

This isn’t the end, I realize.

Rolling over, I lift myself up on my hands and knees. Breathing is like a precious gift. I’m about to attack again when I note my attacker is already a few steps ahead of me. Clutching the side where I wounded him, he staggers away, leaving a trail of blood.

Frightened, I look around, fighting panic. My lungs burn mercilessly. And my phone vibrates in my pocket.

Slowly, I gather myself and get up in this nasty alley. My car is a few steps away. Step by step, I drag myself toward it.

Unlocking the door, get inside, and lock it behind me. Only then do I let out a sigh of relief. My throbbing head drops back onto the headrest.

I hear a slight buzzing in my ears, and my hands are shaking.

At what point did I transform into someone easily targeted?

My phone buzzes again.

“Fuck.” I take it out of my pocket. An unknown number appears on the display.

I consider rejecting the call but ultimately decide against it.

“Hello?” My voice is hoarse.

With every passing second, the headache grows.

My eyes flutter shut. I can hear someone breathing on the other end, and then a woman’s voice says, “Hi. Is this Ashley?”

“Yes, who’s this?”

“We don’t know each other, but I’m calling to warn you about Ryker Elliot.”

“Not this again.” This is too much. The woman’s words make me laugh out loud. What is it this time? A jealous ex-lover? A part-time killer?

And why am I laughing? Is it from the blow? Have I completely lost my mind?

I compose myself and carry on. “What do you want?”

“I told you. You don’t know who you’re dealing with. If you value your life, run away from him as far as you can.”

“Listen. This is the second time today I’ve heard something like this. I’ve had enough. Who the hell are you?” With every passing moment, I’m losing patience.

My thumb rubs my split lip. Fortunately, the bleeding has stopped.

“My name is Aisling. Aisling Elliot.”

I wouldn’t have expected that in a million years. My eyes widen. “Oh, my God. Aisling? Your brother is freaking out about you. Where are you?”

“No!” she shouts. “You can’t tell him I called. He can’t find me. You don’t understand. He’s not a good man; run away from him. It’s all his fault!”

“How did you even get my number? And how do I know it’s really you?”

“It doesn’t matter right now. I just wanted to save you from the nightmare that is my brother. You don’t have to believe me.”