Chapter 34: Kali

34

KALI

S tunned, I step back and stare at the rough-hewn wooden door that's the only thing standing between me and the men looking to take everything I've ever wanted away.

This prophecy is absolute garbage that's followed me around my entire life, casting a shadow over every interaction, every single day. And now it's causing problems for Griffin, too.

That may be underplaying it a bit. It could cost him his life.

I feel, rather than hear, someone else moving about in the woods behind the cabin. They're not close, but if they're part of Jed's posse, here to make sure we don't run.

Out front, Jed's display of force is meant to intimidate Griffin into backing down. Any rational man would, except they're not dealing with a rational man. They're dealing with a beast who's on the verge of turning feral after being caged up his entire life, but has found his mate, and is quite frankly, spoiling for a fight.

"You're talking about me and my mate. It doesn't get more personal than that," Griffin says, his deep voice, cold and emotionless. "And I'm not going to stand for it."

Signalling his intention to stand his ground, I can feel the confusion radiating from the men out front. They don't understand why he's not the least bit concerned about being outnumbered and surrounded.

My beast whimpers, wanting to go outside and stand by Griffin's side, but he's right. I'm still feeling the effects of Serena's attack. Deep down, as hard as it is to admit, I know we'd be a liability in a fight. Slow, and still hurting, they could easily capture me, so the best thing I can do right now is follow my mate's orders and wait for the chance to help, if it comes.

There's still another beast out there, and I have a feeling they're focus is making sure I don't sneak away. The men outside might be keen to get Griffin out of the picture—killing an unknown beast with no family nearby to avenge him is a more palatable option than me—but if they really intend to make sure I never have children, the simplest way is to just get rid of me.

Scanning the tiny cabin, I search through the supplies and utensils, looking for something I could use as a weapon, if I need it. I hurry to throw on some clothes more appropriate for a mad dash through the forest, and then stash a small knife in my hoodie. After sliding to my knees, I drag a heavy metal box out from underneath the bed, eyes darting to the door, and all my senses trained on the heated words still being exchanged outside. This is the first opportunity I've had to be alone since Griffin brought me here. I considered using it, but it felt like a betrayal.

The first snarls from outside and the unmistakable cracks of bone tell me the men have shifted to their beastly forms.

Frantic, my fingers work the clasps of the box, which are stiff from not being used. As I lift the heavy lid, I pray the contents are still here, and that I can remember how it works. A flare. The red tube sits there, just like the day John made me stow it here for emergencies. And if this isn't an emergency, I don't know what is.

There's a chance nobody will even see it. We're a long way from Sutton, and only someone out on the mountain will be close enough, especially in daylight. And I hope and pray they're not human, or I'll be walking innocent people into a mess they'll never forget.

Lifting it carefully, I kick the box back under the bed and race to the small front window. Now in beast form, Griffin's magnificent animal stands on two feet with his back to the cabin and lets out a furious bellow. Jet black in colour with a thick coat, he's much bigger than the others now standing in a semi-circle in front of him. Broad shoulders, rippling with muscles, rise and fall as he growls, low and threatening, at the men in front of him.

To his credit, he's holding back, even though I can feel the rage rolling off him in waves. He's giving them one last chance to flee before things turn ugly. For a beast who's only just gotten his freedom, his restraint is impressive. I didn't think he'd have this level of self-control. When Jed said it would be better if I hadn't survived the attack, I thought for sure Griffin would snap.

But it won't last. Not now that he's in his animal form.

Griffin turns his head to the side, aware of me looking through the window, so I retreat away from the glass. I can understand the looks of apprehension on the men in front of him. He may not have attacked yet, but the crazed glint in his glowing eyes hints at his feral nature. Once he lets go, there will be no stopping him.

Jed steps forward, and Griffin's broad snout pulls back in a terrifying snarl. When he bares his teeth, his deadly canines appear snow white against his dark skin.

Jed's beast snaps his jaws in response, and that's all it takes to end the standoff.

With startling speed and agility, Griffin vaults over the porch railing and lands on all four paws, racing toward Jed and reaching him before the others have even blinked. He barrels Jed over, the two gigantic animals tumbling across the dirt and leaves, legs flailing and teeth flying. The fighting is vicious as they tear and slash at each other, holding nothing back.

My heart leaps into my mouth when Red's russet coloured beast piles in, jumping on Griffin's back and digging his long, black claws into Griffin's flesh.

My mate is badly outnumbered. He might be bigger than them individually, but he can't hold them all off on his own.

As Eddie piles in, trying to pin Griffin to the floor with his weight, I watch in disgust, as Jed scrambles out from underneath the pile of limbs and moves to the side, letting his cronies wear Griffin down and sap his energy.

With a roar, Griffin pushes the two others off and then clambers back to his feet, tossing Red across the mud before charging at Eddie, head down and shoulders low. He lifts him off his feet and slams him into a tree nearby with a sickening thud. Chest heaving, Griffin spins, spotting where Jed is lurking, but Red is back to his feet before he gets the chance to go after him.

He's going to get tired. And Jed's going to wait until then to make his move.

While they're all distracted, I slip out the front door, leaving it ajar to make as little noise as possible. I creep around the side of the cabin, keeping as low as I can, and then stop with my back pressed to the wall. The other beast is still out here watching, hanging back from the action, and waiting. But from what I can tell, he's on higher ground, on the opposite side of the cabin. I don't think he'll have seen me. At least, I hope not.

Swallowing back my nerves, I look down at the flare in my hands, indecision still gripping me.

Griffin won't be happy if I do this. Nobody might see it, but when they realise that I've set it off, I might make the situation worse. But when the scent of Griffin's blood reaches me, I know I must do something. How much worse can it get than this?

Planting my feet firmly on the ground, I point the flare skyward. The gap in the tree canopy over the cabin gives me plenty of clear blue to aim for. And I fire.

Mesmerised, I watch the red light shoot higher and higher with a loud whoosh, a trail of smoke curling behind it.

And for a couple of seconds, there's absolute silence.

Jed's growl breaks the quiet, followed by footsteps. He's coming for me. The sounds of fighting resume, and I hear Griffin snarling viciously, trying desperately to get away from Red and Eddie.

I duck down, keeping tight to the wall, and inch painfully slowly back toward the porch, using my fingers on the ground to keep my balance. Steadying my breathing, I peek around the corner, checking for Jed's location, or anyone blocking my path back to the front door.

Jed is stalking toward the far side of the cabin, and I'm relieved to see nobody waiting for me on the porch. Time to make a run for it and get inside to relative safety.

Griffin's crouched low on the far side of the clearing, blood dripping down his side, with two beasts watching him, chests heaving, and a myriad of injuries covering their muscular bodies. At least Griffin's in better shape than them. His eyes dart to me. Right when I see the fear flash across his expression, and realise something is very wrong, a twig snaps behind me.

Sighing, I close my eyes, swallowing back the terror rising inside me, and push to my feet.

The other beast has decided to join in.

"You shouldn't have done that, Kali." Martin hisses, hands raised defensively in front of me. "Now, I'm going to make you regret that."

I take one step backward, then another, adrenaline pumping through my veins.

He advances, his long strides eating up the distance.

My beast rises to the surface, ready to take over, despite neither of us being back to full health. When I growl, warning him to keep away, he smirks, not even remotely concerned.

"I heard what Serena did to you. Do you really think you'll stand a chance against me if you couldn't handle a pathetic female like her? Just give up."

My beast doesn't like that idea one bit. She pushes forward, but I still can't shift, not yet.

With only one option left, I turn to run, but just as I thought, Martin's on me in an instant. Big arms band around my waist as he lifts me clean off the ground, and his claws puncture my stomach and hips.

"Time to end this prophecy, once and for all," he whispers, hatred thick in his tone. Martin presses harder, making each wound deeper, and I cry out.

We went to school together. He wasn't friendly with me, nobody was, but he wasn't one of the cruel ones, either.

What have I done to make them all hate me like this?

Griffin lets out a deafening bellow as he sees me get captured. Before he can move toward me, Jed takes the opportunity to pounce, gripping a mouthful of Griffin's flesh between his jaws. Griffin howls, thrashing about in Jed's grip, not caring if he's making the damage worse, just wanting to get to me before Martin rips me apart.

But it's not over yet.

My fingers wrap around hard plastic in my hand. I yank my fist free of my hoodie and drive it back over my opposite shoulder, plunging the sharp blade of the paring knife deep into his neck. I shudder when it hits bone and let go immediately.

Blood, warm and coppery, spurts out of him, instantly coating the back of my shoulder and my clothes.

He drops me, and I land hard on my hands and knees, crawling forward quickly to get out of reach before flipping onto my back, so I can keep him in my sights.

I don't think I need to worry about him coming after me again.

Martin stumbles, hand pressing down on the wound to stop his blood from streaming out. Eyes wide, he stares horrified at the heavy slick of red flowing down his arms and chest, knowing nothing is going to stop that. Not accelerated healing, not medical attention, and not his bare hands.

"You fucking bitch," he mutters, right before he keels over to the side, and after a few seconds of gasping and twitching, goes still.

Stunned at what I've just done, I push down the urge to vomit into the dirt and focus on Griffin, who's trying to fight Eddie off him, with Red's hind limb clamped between his jaws. Jed roars, resuming his march toward me, eyes flashing angrily, and teeth bared.

My blood runs cold. I'm in big trouble, and Griffin's too far away, and too busy to get to me.

From the way Eddie's beast salivates and snarls, his plans to leave me alive but get rid of Griffin are now well and truly forgotten.

Scrambling forward, I lean over Martin's body, grimacing as I yank the knife free from the man's neck. It's difficult to grip the slippery handle, so I wipe it on my jumper, holding it tight.

Screaming in frustration, I turn to face Jed, who's bearing down on me quickly. I've never hurt anyone. I don't deserve this. I've kept myself small and stayed out of everyone's way. I've avoided attracting unwanted attention all my life and never gave anyone a reason to come after me. And yet, here we are.