Page 149

As for the man who had Lucas in a tight grip just moments before, he rushes to Mason’s side, who is still sprawled on the floor at my feet.

“Come on!” he shouts, dropping to his side. He hooks an arm beneath his shoulder and hauls him upright. “We need to go. The hunters will be here any second.”

My watch vibrates again.

00:10

Fuck. So much for ending Mason once and for all. He’s in such a bad shape; hopefully the hunters will take care of him for me.

“We need to hide—” Leo states, but is cut off right as Mason tears himself free from his friend’s grip.

“I’m not done with you,” is all I hear before impact folds me in half, crushing the breath from my lungs as his weight drives me backward. My boots skid uselessly across the grated steel, metal shrieking beneath them as I claw for anything that might stop the fall.

My stomach drops as the edge of the staircase vanishes beneath my heels and for one suspended second, there’s nothing beneath me but empty air before gravity takes us.

We fall until my back hits concrete, and I’m left staring at the ceiling, chest spasming as my body desperately searches for air.

Across the floor, Mason lands in a crumpled heap with a wet grunt, skidding several feet before slamming into the base of an old machine.

Somewhere high above, muffled by the ringing in my ears, I hear my name being called out.

My watch buzzes once more against my wrist, and I need to force my head up to see the countdown.

00:05

Fuck, this isn’t good.

I grit my teeth, forcing myself onto my elbows despite the pain radiating through my entire body.

Come on, fuck. I can’t do this right now.

I cough once, before air finally tears into my lungs in one sharp, ragged inhale that burns all the way down. Now planting both palms against the floor, I push myself upward. My vision swims for a second before settling.

I lift my head toward the staircase. At the three silhouettes standing at the top, with Mason’s friend nowhere to be seen.

They’re about ready to come rushing down when I shake my head, telling them to stay put. No use in wasting time with mere seconds on the clock.

“J-just go hide,” I demand just as the world dies, swallowing me in complete darkness. It’s followed by protests from Amani, but by the scuffling of feet, I assume they listened.

The hunters are worth fearing far more than whatever grudge Mason still carries, so with that in mind, I let my hand search the abyss for anything to grab hold of.

Once my palm collides with brick walls, I follow along the side as my eyes start to adjust in the darkness. Faint light spills from a room, and I enter, dragging my body, holding the side of my ribs and biting down on my cheek.

Sound soon explodes in the distance in a mixture of feet against metal grating, screaming, laughter, and what sounds like a fucking chainsaw.

As my eyes adjust further, black begins to separate into shades of charcoal and grey. Shapes emerge first, followed by the faint outlines of thick pillars and machinery scattered throughout the room.

“Fuuuck,” I mutter, sliding my back alongside a brick pillar. If a hunter finds me now, I’m as good as dead. Not only am I in no condition to fight, but I’ve lost my knife in the process.

I hold my breath, biting down on my lips as the sound of footsteps enters the room.

All I can do is keep quiet and hope whoever has entered doesn’t find me behind the brick pillar. I’m truly and royally fucked.

The footsteps come to a stop, followed by the last voice I want to hear right now.

“Found you, my little stray.”

Chapter 39