Once Bitten

I trudged up the sidewalk, trying to focus through the haze settling over me. Maybe I was only being paranoid and the hunter hadn't noticed anything. Maybe Nathanial's playful ruse had worked and I'd only thought the hunter had focused on me because my near-constant shivering had jarred my senses. Yeah right, and maybe I'd wake up and discover the last few nights had been nothing more than a bad dream.

Nathanial's hand landed on my shoulder, and I jumped. What did he—? I turned, but his hand slid to the center of my back, forcing me to keep pace with him.

"I think you should know, we are being followed,” he whispered loud enough for Bobby and Gil to hear. “The hunter has circled and is approaching from a side street."

"Because of a necklace?” Gil balled her hands on her hips, but her stride didn't slow. “Why are you still wearing it if it's such a blatant signal of what you are? It's not even pretty—just leather and tiny bones."

I glared at her, an effect ruined as I tripped over my own feet.

"Do you see any clasps or knots? It doesn't come off over my head, and it can't be cut, either.” I stopped at an intersection. The park was just ahead, the open gate as inviting as the gapping jaws of a giant iron beast. More brownstones lined the streets leading up to it. We needed a plan. If Nathanial said the hunter had followed us, he was probably right. I hated having to rely on the senses of others. A plan wavered at the edge of my mind, but the more I trembled, the more elusive it became.

Gil stepped closer to me, leaning forward to stare at my necklace. She almost reached out like she would touch it, but apparently her caution won over her curiosity. “Why is it so special? What kind of animal are the bones from?"

I frowned at her. “They're finger bones. Five from a kitten, five from a baby girl, all of them mine."

"That's disgusting.” Her lips twisted into a grimace, but her scroll appeared in her hand. “Why was it done?"

"Your books didn't teach you as much about shifters as you thought, did they?” I turned away as grey blotches gathered on her cheeks. I glanced at the side street Nathanial had indicated. Flits of plans slipped into focus before sliding away again, leaving me with conflicting ideas.

How could I divert the hunter's attention from Bobby? If I could make him believe ... The thought faded without blooming into a fully fledged plan.

I pressed my palms against my eyes. “Why the hell did you sign on with the hunters anyway?"

Bobby didn't answer and I peeled my hands back so I could see him. When he noticed me watching, he shrugged but didn't meet my gaze. “Getting the mark was the only way the elders would let me cross the gate. Sebastian thought I'd be able to convince you to come home. He didn't want hunters involved."

As in my father didn't want the embarrassment of having his Dyre publicly denounced by the elders. I'd have gritted my teeth but they were chattering too much.

Bobby glanced at me from the corner of his eye. His shoulders were angled away from me, but his face was open, the regret tugging at his features clear. “Sebastian was wrong."

The twisting feeling in my chest was either from the trembling finally shaking organs loose, or the sinking realization Bobby hadn't come after me because my father told him to—he'd come because my father finally let him. Damn Bobby. Why couldn't he have just stayed in Firth and with his mate and cubs?

I frowned at the side street. There was no movement, no indication the hunter was watching, but I had no doubt he was. If we survived the judge, I couldn't let Bobby return to Firth as an oath breaker. What could I do to convince the hunter Bobby wasn't helping me?

I could let Bobby capture me

I shivered. Then what? If he captured me, it would clear his name but sign his death certificate when the judge returned and the rogue was still free. I could escape, but how much time would we waste? Of course, the hunter only had to believe Bobby was dragging me to a safe house. We didn't have to complete the charade. Once we were far enough away, we'd be safe.

It might just work. I turned to the others. “We're splitting up. Nathanial, Gil go to the park. Bobby, once they round the gate, do the hunter thing on me."

Bobby's jaw dropped. “What?"

"Trust me,” I said, trying to keep my voice from trembling in time with my clattering teeth. “I think I have a plan."

Gil crossed her arms over her chest. “You think?"

Bobby turned to her. “Can you magic the hunter the way you did the people at the hospital?"

Why hadn't I thought of that? Simpler, safer; it was the perfect plan. I shot Gil a hopeful look, but her arms dropped and she concentrated on tugging wrinkles out of her coat.

"Well?” I asked as seconds ticked by.

"The spell doesn't work on supernaturals,” she mumbled, her gaze on her rain boots.

Great. That settled it then. I scanned the street. It was deserted—the perfect place for a hunter to strike.

"Go,” I whispered, looking at Nathanial and Gil.

She opened her mouth to protest, but Nathanial wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Her eyes flew wide, but in one efficient movement, Nathanial had her turned and walking toward the park entrance, leaving Bobby and me alone on the corner.

"Kitten, I don't like whatever plan you've cooked up,” Bobby said, watching their retreating backs. They rounded the gate. “You're sure about this?"

"Trust me.” I managed a weak smile. “Now, attack me."

Bobby hesitated, then lunged forward without warning. I yelped, the response only half faked. Ducking under Bobby's arm, I let his momentum take him a step past me. Then I slammed my palm into his back, shoving him forward.

He stumbled, and I skittered back. This had to look real. I needed another opening to throw a punch, one that wouldn't hurt him. He whirled around. I crouched, waiting and conserving what little energy I had left. Adrenaline zinged through my body, making my focus better than it had been all night. I centered my weight between my legs, flexed my fingers. The grim lines of Bobby's face betrayed his distaste, but however unhappy he was, his feelings didn't slow his movements.

His fist swung. I jumped back and the leather of his gloves connected with the front of my coat. A shiver wracked my body, making my muscles tighten. Crap. I squeezed my eyes shut. Pain shot across my ribs, and the ground fell away beneath me. Okay, so Bobby wasn't pulling his punches. I climbed to my knees. At least it looked real.

His hand shot out, and I couldn't roll away in time. He snagged my arm, dragging me off my knees. Moment of truth. I flailed in his grip, but not enough to tug free.

Then Nathanial joined the fight.

He jerked Bobby back. Bobby's hand on my arm fell away giving me the freedom I needed. I jumped to my feet and whirled around.

A growl leaked from Bobby's throat, real anger bleeding into the sound. Nathanial dragged him further from me, thrusting him against the park gate.

I glanced around. Movement caught my eye from the side street.

Crap. Showtime.

I ran.

Chapter 9

I turned the next corner, veering away from the park. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, but I was losing speed with every step. I glanced over my shoulder. The street was empty, no sign of the hunter. Had he followed? I pushed my muscles for more speed, and they stung in protest. Maybe the hunter had stayed behind to help Bobby?

I couldn't rely on him not following. My teeth chattered loudly, drowning out any sounds of pursuit. I knew I was using up whatever reserves I had. Even my nose was useless, picking up and losing scents before I could properly identify them. I was as exposed as a blind rat in a mousetrap factory. How was I supposed to circle back to Nathanial and Bobby without leaving a trail?

I turned at the next corner, my gaze over my shoulder. I'd run two yards when I glanced forward and realized what I'd taken for a side street was nothing more than a nook between buildings, bricked in on all sides.

"The hunt ends here, Kita Nekai."

I whirled around. Well, that answered that—the hunter had followed. He stood in the center of the alley, blocking the exit. I crouched, scanning the brownstones around me. The bottom level of the townhouses was a garage, so there were no windows. The brick wall between them probably enclosed a courtyard, but the wall was nine feet high. I'd never scramble over it before the hunter reached me. Great.

I crept backward. I was going to have to run for it. The hunter would give chase—predators always did, but it was the best chance I had.

The hunter stalked closer, driving me back until my coat brushed the brick. His energy danced over my skin, the prickly musk of wolf reaching my nose. He was ready to shift any moment, but he was containing it, for now. Maybe if I didn't give him any indication I was going to change, he wouldn't shift either. I did not want to face one of his stronger forms.

The line between non-threatening and submissive could be very thin at times, but as the smallest Dyre in my clan's history, it was a role with which I was familiar. Straightening from my crouch, I leaned against the wall and hooked my thumbs in my jean pockets.

"The necklace gave me away, didn't it?” I asked, giving the hunter a smile, but careful not to flash teeth—a toothy smile he might take as a threat. “You're keener than the other one."

"The traitor will be dealt with later,” he said, and the bottom fell out of my stomach.

He hadn't believed the fight. He knew. He knew Bobby was helping me evade them.

I had to get out of here. I had to warn Bobby. First I had to get past the hunter.

He stared at my face, his nostrils flaring. The level of energy pouring out of him kicked up a notch.

Right, my appearance had changed since he'd seen me with Nathanial.

His distress over that little detail didn't stop him from tugging a thin chain from his pocket and gripping it in his gloved hand. The light from the streetlamps glinted along the metal. Okay, casual wasn't working. I had to find a way to distract him.

Focusing on his tie, I said, “I went through all the trouble of masking my scent, and then I forgot about the necklace."