The sound of a loud crash just outside her bedroom door jolted Cassie from sleep, her eyes snapping open in the dark. Her heart pounded against her ribs, wild and uneven, like it was trying to escape her chest. She lunged for her phone on the nightstand, fingers fumbling, and nearly dropped it in her rush to call Kai. Her thumb hovered over the dial button.
Then she remembered.
She was angry with him.
Another crash thundered through the apartment, followed by a low, guttural growl that made her blood run cold. Whatever was in her living room wasn't human.
A cold sweat broke across her skin as panic surged up her throat. Hands shaking, she stumbled to her closet, yanked it open, and grabbed the baseball bat. The metal felt pathetically light in her grip.
She crept toward the door with the bat clutched in both hands, her bare feet silent against the floorboards. Then she froze mid-step. Like seriously, what was she going to do? Walk out there and swing? Whatever was on the other side could probably snap the bat in half…then it would snap her next.
Blake's warning from earlier echoed in her mind. She could be in danger. But, he never told her from whom. Was it werewolves? Vampires? Both? Or other monsters that she'd only read about in fairytales?
But if they were there for her, why trash the place? Were they looking for something?
Unless…
Kai had found someone trying to sneak in, and he was fighting them off.
Crap.
She inhaled sharply, trying to catch a scent, anything to confirm he was out there, but she came up empty.
Nothing.
Not even a hint of sweat, pine, cedar.
Nothing!
Dread clutched her heart and squeezed. If Kai was out there, she couldn't just let him fight alone, could she? Yes, she was angry at him, but that didn't mean she wanted to see him get hurt.
But she needed to know exactly who, or what, was on the other side of that door. In order to find that out, she needed Siren and Lune. She couldn't risk speaking aloud. No way was she letting them know she was awake.
So she steadied her breath, closed her eyes, and reached inward.
Lune? Siren? Can you hear me?
I'm here, Lune said.
And Siren?
She's upset about earlier. She doesn't appreciate being…silenced.
Lune, Siren…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I was overwhelmed…I'm sorry.
Cassie bit back a sob.
Cassie, I understand, Lune replied gently. Siren will come around. Just give her time.
Thanks, Lune…and Siren, I truly am sorry.
Cassie froze as something smashed against her bedroom door, the wood splintering with a sickening crack. Her hand flew to her mouth, and the bat slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor.
Cassie, what's going on? Lune asked urgently.
I don't know. That's why I was reaching out to you and Siren. Can you make out who's on the other side of the door by their scent? With you and Siren…silenced…I couldn't pick up anything.
Kai is definitely out there, Lune said, and two others you've met before. Their scents are familiar.
Cassie sniffed the air and her eyes widened.
Wait?! That's Blake and Jace. Why are they...
Cassie's thought was cut off as searing pain tore through her back. Like sharp blades were being dragged across her skin and then buried deep beneath it. Her knees buckled.
She screamed and dropped to her hands and knees, her breath catching in her throat, as the pain spiraled outward beneath her skin.
A few seconds later, her bedroom door burst open with a deafening crack. The force rattled the hinges. Cassie barely managed to lift her head to see Kai, Jace, and Blake before Kai was on the floor in front of her, his hands cradling her face.
He was heaving, his chest rising and falling with every ragged breath, blood spattered across his shirt. His hands were firm, but his blue eyes looked wild.
"Cassie, what's wrong?" he asked, voice hoarse with panic.
"M-my back," she gasped. "It hurts."
Kai adjusted himself until he was behind her. Gently, he lifted her pajama top.
"Cassie…" His voice sounded pained.
The cool air hit her skin, but it was nothing compared to the fire slicing down her spine.
"Shit," Blake muttered grimly from the doorway.
He was breathing hard too, his knuckles bruised and his posture tense. His eyes lingered on her back. Jace stood beside him, his eyes locked on her his expression blank.
Blake's gaze darkened as he exhaled. "They're fated mates," he said under his breath.