Chapter 19

19

" Y ou want me to go out on that ledge?" I asked the second director later that day. I eyed the outcropping of rock with a forty-foot drop off. Surprised a skier or snowboarder hadn't accidentally sailed off the edge, but apparently the resort roped off this area to prevent such an occurrence.

"Don't worry, the stunt coordinator will wire you up, just in case. We tested it out earlier and you shouldn't have any problem."

That's what Rory said about the ski lift. I didn't say that aloud.

This was Eimeret's grand moment, a soliloquy giving renewed hope to our merry band and also symbolically showing elves' symbiosis with nature. Not sure how standing on an overhang and trying not to fall to my death showed my character's relationship to nature. But maybe that was just me.

True to his word, I soon found myself wearing a thin vest under my costume that had wires running from it. They'd be digitally removed in post-production if needed.

"Go see how you feel. We've placed an X so you'll know your mark." The second director waved me toward the overhang.

Why couldn't Hyde get his ass back to work? Then I wouldn't have to be giving myself a pep talk to get out on that rock. I took a tentative step toward the edge of the outcropping. Pausing, I pulled the coin from a pouch at my hip. I flipped it into the air, then caught it.

Raven.

Oh, hell no.

I stepped back.

"What's the problem, Summers?" Jabril came up behind me, crowding my space, and cutting off my retreat.

"I'm not sure it's safe."

"Damn actors. We've people whose job is to make sure things are safe. It's been tested and retested." Jabril ripped a hand through his hair.

I still didn't move. The coin hadn't led me wrong yet. Not going out until I felt sure it was safe. Jabril must have seen something in my expression, because he groaned.

"Look, don't take a selfie for your socials or you might find yourself dangling off the edge until we can pull your vain ass up. Otherwise, you're good to go. Divas all of you."

Diva? I'd been nothing but accommodating. Not this time. "I'd like another safety check, just in case."

He narrowed his eyes. "Didn't mention you were afraid of heights. That why you refuse to take the ski lift?"

"Something like that."

He ground his teeth, his jaw bulging. "Fine—"

"What the fuck is going on here?" Hyde's voice reverberated across the set. He stormed toward us in full costume, looking like an avenging elf. All he needed was a sword. Guy knew how to make an entrance, I'd give him that.

Ah, hell. He looked murderous as his gaze arrowed past Jabril and straight to me. I should be careful what I wished for.

"Well, well, if it isn't our little lost lamb." Jabril crossed his arms, a steely glint in his eye. "Feeling better, are we?"

Hyde drew to a halt once he reached us, his body tensed for a fight. "I demand to know the meaning of this! What's this cheap imitation doing in my role?"

"Hey, fuck—"

" Is it your role? I was beginning to think you didn't want it." Jabril kept his tone light.

"I couldn't help that I fell sick," Hyde said. "That's what happens when you force us to work in unsafe conditions."

"Well, I certainly wouldn't want you to work in an unsafe environment. Why don't you sit this one out? Summers has it covered. We can dub you in later once your voice is adequately rested. You should study his inflection. You might learn something."

A growing crowd gathered to watch the showdown. Hyde turned an unflattering shade of red.

"You really think you can steal my job, don't you, Imitation?" He snarled and shoved me. "Wonder how you were able to memorize the lines, hmmm?"

I stumbled back, unprepared for his attack. What the hell? I didn't want his job! They'd foisted it on me. And then it occurred to me what he'd said. He knew . I saw it in his malevolent gaze. Fuck, just how close were he and Matt? Was he going to spill my secret to everyone?

"Nothing to say, Imitation?" He shoved me again.

"Touch him again, and I'll have you arrested for assault." Kade's growly voice sliced like a blade as he cut through the crowd. "Only warning."

Hyde spun. "You would defend him, wouldn't you?"

"Save it. We don't have time for your theatrics." Kade glowered, his gaze a fierce gold, his fangs peeking out. "You here to do your job or not? You're costing the production money."

"From what I hear, cash isn't a problem any longer." Hyde smirked.

This was news to me . . . and apparently to a bunch of the crew, as they exchanged hopeful looks.

Jabril waved that away. "Enough. You're here now, and the lighting's perfect. Let's get the shot and call it a wrap for the day."

"Fine." Hyde rammed my shoulder as he passed, marching toward the outcropping. "Stay out of my way, Imitation."

Kade growled, and the hair on my nape stood on end. Wolves had strict regulations about harming humans because, with their superior strength, they could easily do permanent damage. Still, it stoked a tiny fire in my heart that Hyde's actions made Kade want to defend me.

And as tempted as I was to let Hyde go on that rock ledge and take his chances, I couldn't do it. "Wait. I'll give you my safety harness."

He spun on his heel. "You think I would wear anything you'd had on your diseased body?"

Kade took a step toward Hyde, and I put myself firmly between them.

I blew out a breath. Raven, raven, raven . I hated Hyde but didn't wish him harm. "Fine. Then let the stunt coordinator wire you up."

He glared, shook his head. "What's your deal? Like you care."

"Teremie's right. You need safety gear," Kade called after him.

He flipped Kade off and kept backing toward the edge. "I don't need shit from you. Take your imitation and get out of my way. Let a real actor do his job."

Jabril looked between us. Probably torn between safety concerns and the perfect lighting. "Hatcher, go get wired. I'm not taking any chances."

Hyde scoffed and moved to the X.

"Not wasting my time. Get in position, if you want the perfect lighting to last. Warming up now." He took an exaggerated stance, lifted his arms like some dime store wizard. "Friends—"

The squawk of a raven split the air.

Crack!

The outcropping crumbled. A scream. Hyde disappeared over the edge. One moment he was there, the next moment the shelf fell like a row of dominos. Before I could hop to safety, the ground shifted beneath me. My arms flailed as I tried not to pitch forward into air.

A strong hand on the collar of my costume yanked me backward. I slammed into Kade's chest, knocking the breath from me. His other hand steadied Jabril.

Jabril grabbed his walkie-talkie and screamed for medics.

"You okay?" Kade said next to my ear, warm air against my chilled skin. A muscular arm wrapped around my middle and gave me a squeeze before he backed us up a couple more paces from the edge.

"I've been better." I fucking hated heights! Poor Hyde.

No way he survived that fall.