I could still feel it on my skin.
We ran in formation. Kendrick in the lead, Kyle to his right. I held rear guard. Rachele and Rebecca took the flanks. Stan led us, head high, his shoulder bleeding from where Aurora had “accidentally” slashed him.
Oops.
“Faster,” Kendrick growled, and Stan sped up again and stumbled on a root.
I surged forward before I could stop myself.
One hand fisted his collar, jerking him back like the mutt he was.
“Careful,” I hissed against his ear. “You take one wrong turn, and I swear to every god above and below, I’ll make you walk the rest of the way on your elbows.”
He nodded, spine stiffening. Good.
Aurora’s hand brushed my shoulder—silent warning or silent support, I wasn’t sure.
“Focus,” Kendrick called, not even turning around.
Midnight snarled i
