Page 111

“Get the fuck out of my way or die. Your choice.”

Darian puts his hands up, backing up a step and moving past Cade. I keep my gun pointed at him—my grip adjusted this time.

He starts to walk away.

“You disappoint me,” Cade calls out. “I’ve never known you to be the kind of man to wave the white flag.”

Darian pauses and turns. “Did we skip that lesson?” He rakes his fingers through his hair. “Then let it be my final one.”

“I think we’re past lessons.”

“We are never past lessons.” He sighs. “Sometimes, you got to know when you’re beat, kid.” He smiles before turning and walking away. “And I’m sure as hell not about to die today!” He laughs again as he pulls out another knife, twirling it in his fingers. He begins to whistle as he disappears from sight.

“What the hell just happened?” I ask.

Cade doesn’t answer me, instead gripping the large brass handles on the double doors.

The moment they open, I see her there—Calli.

Her hands are tied behind her as she sits on her knees, a blade to her throat. I need to get out of this fake skin. I’m unable to move as quickly as I’m used to; I try to lunge forward, but the blade presses on her throat.

“Looks like you found me,” says the woman holding the blade—Rosa.

I look over at Cade and he is staring at her in disgust.

I can feel my blood begin to boil and my skin heat.

I’m no longer in need of this body.

CHAPTER 38 CADE

“After all this time, we can finally put an end to this little game of cat and mouse. Quite a relief, wouldn’t you say, Cade?” Rosa says with a smile.

I look her over, her brown eyes wide, hair disheveled.

“Your security is dead, your family is dead. Why don’t you just surrender and we can move on from the psychotic delusion that you live in; this doesn’t need to be difficult. Or would you prefer the slow and painful route I took with your husband, Allen?” I keep my tone measured.

“Never underestimate a person who has nothing to lose, dear boy. I’ve been waiting a long time for my reckoning and my time is due.”

I see Calli wincing under the blade. She looks exhausted, her eyes glassy and looking off to the side.

It makes me sick.

“What did you do to her?” My voice is stern, nails digging into my palms.

“Oh, don’t worry,” Rosa says. “She is heavily medicated at the moment.”

“I thought we had a deal,” I bait her.

“For generations, we have been hoping to find a worthy sacrifice. Did you honestly think I would give that up? I refuse to let this slip through my fingers again.”

She’s so ignorant, spewing bullshit from her mouth and she doesn’t even know. My jaw tics as I attempt to keep myself calm.

“The Covenant was built on a lie, Rosa. It was never meant for all of you to gain power.”

“Lies! You are not going to manipulate me, not now.” She spits the words out.

“You were all manipulated into helping someone that it would benefit.” I try to move a step closer, but she stiffens her hold on the knife and I pause. “All this was for the founder to stay alive and gain power; none of you were meant to get any. It only applies to the Halloway bloodline.”