The night had teeth. And it was sinking them deep.
The world blurred as Kyle carried me, his arms tight around me, but the fear clawing at my ribs was far tighter. The cold wind slapped against my face, but I barely felt it. My pulse was a hammer in my skull. Louder than the crackling fire. Louder than the distant gunshots.
I had always known Judas was dangerous. That was undeniable. But this-this was beyond anything I had ever imagined.
And I was numb to it.
They deserved it.
The thought should have disgusted me. It should have terrified me. But instead, it settled inside me like a quiet, unshakable truth.
Judas did what had to be done.
But what did that make him now?
What did that make me for understanding it?
A sharp sound snapped me out of my thoughts.
A voice.
Kyle froze.
And I lifted my head to see a shadow stepping into our path.
My stomach dropped.
"Fuck…" Kyle cursed slowly putting me down on my feet.
Brian Rosewood stood before us with a gun dangling from his fingers and swinging lazily. He was talking to himself, muttering under his breath, his lips moving too fast for me to catch the words. His hair was dishevelled, his shirt stained-with blood. Ashes stuck to his face and unfocused eyes shifted.
He tilted his head as if just noticing us. His eyes flicked up, locking onto mine.
Then he smiled.
It was the kind of smile that didn't belong on a sane man.
My breath shuddered. My father had always been a storm. But this-this was madness.
He laughed softly, a breathy sound. "I was just wondering…" He lifted the gun, pressing it to his temple. Click. My heart stopped. "Should I pull the trigger?"
"Stop, please-" I choked before but Kyle held me back.
My father ignored me. His smile widened, eyes flicking to Kyle. "Or should I shoot him first?"
Kyle's stance shifted, his arms tensing. He stepped in front of me, shielding me with his body. "Get behind me. Now."
I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe.
My father. My father.
Why didn't I see it?
Tears blurred my vision. "Papa, please… you don't have to do this," I whispered, my voice barely holding together. "Put the gun down."
For a moment, something flickered in his expression. Recognition. Confusion.
His grip loosened. Maybe I could buy us time before Kyle could tackle him or take the gun away from him. I had to tread this carefully.
I stepped forward, my heart in my throat. "Please."
He exhaled, unsteady, his hand lowering-
Bang.
A bullet sliced through the air, whizzing past my shoulder.
I gasped.
Kyle tackled him.
"Run!" he barked.
I stumbled backwards, legs shaking, my father's voice echoing in my ears, screaming, cursing, breaking.
I turned and ran. The SUV was parked just a few feet away. It must have some weapons. I could use them. I wouldn't let anyone die because of me. Because of my father. Not Judas. Not Ralph. Not Kyle. I ran with all my strength or basically limped with my broken ankle. It was close. Too close.
A foot away.
Almost there.
I thought I made it.
I didn't.
A force yanked me back.
A scream tore from my throat as thick arms wrapped around me, hauling me off my feet. My body jerked as if it had been caught in a vice. Too strong. Too fast.
No. No. No.
I twisted and kicked, my nails clawing at his skin. He cursed and slammed me forward, shoving my face into the dirt. Rocks scraped against my cheek.
"Stupid little bitch," a voice sneered in my ear. Hot breath hit my skin. Foul and rotten making me want to claw his skin.
I thrashed. "Get off me-!"
He wrenched my arms behind my back, yanking them up so high I swore something tore in my shoulder. A strangled cry burst from my lips.
He chuckled. Clearly enjoying this.
"Feisty," he mocked. "Maybe I should have some fun before I take you to Morozov." His fingers dug into my waist, nails biting through my shirt.
Rage ignited inside me.
No. I'd not let another bastard play with me.
Savage instincts flooded my veins, drowning out the pain. I snapped my head back, slamming it into his face.
Crack.
"Fuck!" he howled.
The grip on my arms loosened just enough. I moved.
My teeth bared as I slammed my heel into his shin, then spun, throwing my elbow into his ribs. He grunted, but recovered fast, his rage spiking.
"Little bitch-"
His fist connected with my stomach.
Air rushed out of me in a painful gasp. My vision swayed, my knees buckling, but I refused to go down.
I would not go down.
I clawed at his face, nails raking over his eyes. He roared, stumbling, and I used that second to twist away-
But he was faster.
A rough hand grabbed my hair, yanking me backwards so hard my neck snapped back. A strangled sob escaped me.
"Enough," he growled, his voice filled with barely contained rage. He twisted my arm, forcing me onto my knees. "You keep fighting, I'll make you wish you were dead before we even get to the fun part, you stupid little bitch!"
My breath hitched, fear curling around my ribs like a noose.
But I wouldn't beg.
I would never beg.
I could almost taste the flames licking my skin. The smoke burned my throat and my eyes stung. All I smelled was gasoline and ashes before something moved against the bright flames. Something dark and unhinged.
And then-
I saw him.
A shadow against the fire. His broad frame moved through the smoke like a ghost of death itself.
His eyes locked onto mine. Even though I could barely make out his appearance.
Something dark and bottomless lurked in his eyes. Something so raw, so violent, it sent a shiver through my bones.
I had seen Judas furious before.
But this-this was something else.
This was lethal.
A beast had been unleashed.
The man gripping me followed my gaze and scoffed. "What? You think someone gonna save you?" He laughed, yanking my hair harder, making me hiss. "No one can save you, sweetheart. You think you're special?" He leaned down, lips curling near my ear. "You think you can take me down? Kill me?" His voice trailed and I lowered my hands realising I no longer needed to protect myself. My protector was here.
Judas moved.
And a smirk curled my lips as I locked eyes with him, my lips curling into a slow, wicked smirk.
He frowned, confused-hesitated. Wrong move.
I spat in his face. "You're right," I whispered, voice like a blade. "I can't kill you," My smile widened, all teeth, all venom. "But he will. And trust me-you'll wish it was me."
One second, he was still.
The next-
He wasn't.
The man holding me never saw it coming.