Stone Of Severance

her shoulders. The rain had turned to a steady downpour, soaking them both until their clothes clung to their bodies. Lightning flashed, illuminating the

against a lamppost, scanning his face. His eyes fluttered,

re," he rasped

hlights. Angela's heart leapt to her throat. The vehicle slowed, creeping forwa

he whispered, his vo

ted hotel. Without hesitation, she hauled Raymond toward it, slipping them into the shadows just as the SUV cruised past.

htf

efore releasing a shaky breath. Raymond slumped heavi

ng out on me now," she sa

ed open. "You'

t of desperate humor in her voice. She adjusted his arm around her shou

muscles, the effort it took for him to keep going. His breathing was ragged, hot puffs of

and shattered chandeliers. Rain blew in through broken windows, drenching the rotting carpet.

wet hair from his forehea

eyes were colder than steel. "They won't stop,

the fear in his voice. "Then you'll ju

erstand. They're not like me. They don't

a deep gash oozed blood despite the earlier healing. She tore

ed a plan," sh

ning lit the ballroom in ghostly flashes, revealing the feral gleam i

ela continued, tying off the bandage. "How

y. "The tunnels... below the city. Old smug

hoed. "How do we get

h a pile of splintered chairs. She hurried over, clearing debris unti

ack at him. "

brighter as he tapped into a well of stubborn str

th ominous finality, the darkness swallowing them whole. The further they went, the quieter the city

d, her phone's flashlight cutting a narrow cone of light ahead of them. Shapes loomed on the walls: old sy

ngela whispered, her voice hus

voice steadier now. "They were built when the city was

ur

've used these tunnels for generati

Even wounded, he exuded a dangerous grace-a predator in human skin. Yet there

r. She froze, following his gaze. Up ahead,

ts," Raymond hi

e figures in dark clothes, their eyes gleaming with an unnatura

here," he

him, his body shifting with a sickening crack of bones. Fur rippled across hi

erful jaws, tossing him aside like a ragdoll. The second slashed at his flank, but R

stinct screamed to help. Her eyes landed on a loose pipe on the ground. She grabbed it

th the Nightfang's skull. The attacker staggered, dazed, just long eno

their blood dark on the stones. Raymond shifted ba

, trembling. "You... yo

smile. "You're the one who jumped

cheek with shaking hands. "And you're th

en gaze locking onto he

oarse. "And I told you

w. Raymond led her through twists and turns until a metal

ment of Blackwood Tower

gh a rusted grate, emerging into a massive underground garage beneath the tower. Ang

He placed his hand on the scanner; a green light blinke

on," h

nd the elevator began its smooth ascent. Angela leaned ag

le, bruised, but impossibly strong. His eyes met hers in the

en skyline, lights glittering like fallen stars. Sleek modern furniture filled the space,

ragged. "You should... l

She rummaged through cabinets until she foun

worked efficiently, cleaning new wounds, rewr

helping me, you've marked yourself. The Night

m first," she shot b

weakly. "You

rted. She paused, meeting his g

bloodline. It says the Alpha of the Pride Pack will doom

nk... you're

y, jaw tight.

"So they want you de

lieve killing me will end the Pride Pack entirely-cl

hair across from him, staring into his

rce. "To live," he whispered. "To protect my

ouse. Red lights pulsed along the walls.

here," he

e of the building-figures moving with unnatural speed. Helico

arm, pulling her b

Inside was an armory: rifles, silver-edged knives, and boxes of ammuni

now how t

licking the safety. "I was

cked a fierce, appre

of black fur crashing into the attackers. Angela dropped to one knee, firing at the Nightfang closest to h

pt moving, ducking behind counters and firing at any red-eyed figure that got too clo

her hand. Broken glass crunched beneath her boots as she crossed to Raymond. He shifted back, bl

" he said quie

shing blood from his chee