I stalked to my bedroom, dressed in a black shirt, camo pants and combat boots. Then I strapped blades to my ankles and wrists, sheathed a larger revolver at my waist and stuffed two smaller ones in my pockets.
I phoned Cole but immediately went to voice mail. Either his phone was now turned off or it was in use. Probably in use. “Ethan, Kat and Reeve just showed up at the cabin. I’m going to walk them back to their car. I’ll also try to do a little detective work on Ethan. Call me.”
When I returned, Kat wouldn’t meet my gaze. Dang it. I shouldn’t have stepped into her business. I thought I’d learned my lesson in the butt-in department.
“I’m sorry,” I said, and squeezed her hand.
She nodded, the action stiff.
I read the fine print: not forgiven. I sighed. “Follow me.” When we reached the front door, I drew in a deep breath for strength. My hand trembled as I twisted the knob, and my knees knocked as I walked outside. Cold air enveloped me, hugging me with unwelcoming arms of ice.
A forest loomed around me. A dusting of snow had fallen, leaving the slightest glaze of white. It was pretty. I stiffened, searched the darkness...but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
“Where’s your car?” I asked.
“On the road outside the forest,” Ethan replied. “We didn’t want your captors to hear us coming.”
I’d talked to Cole about the area, and knew we had a two-mile hike.
“I’ll take the lead,” I said. “You guys will do what I say, when I say, without any argument. I’m serious. I love you girls with all my heart, but if you question me out here, I’ll knock out your teeth, I swear I will.”
Kat finally cracked a grin. “Look at you, all forceful.”
Ethan stepped in front of Reeve, protecting her from my supposed wrath. Did he understand I’d do what I’d threatened—and so much worse—to him?
“Stay behind me.” I entered the forest, listening. Footsteps crunched behind me. No sound in front of me. Good. We maneuvered around trees, going downhill, minute after minute ticking past.
“So, Ethan,” I said, “have you ever heard of Blood Lines?”
“No.”
“Then why do you have them around your house?”
“Your friends asked me the same question, and I’ll tell you what I told them. I don’t know.”
He was lying. He had to be lying.
“How did you and Reeve meet?”
“Can we not do this now?” he asked tightly.
“You’re right. We’ll wait till we get to the car. We’ll put the girls inside, and then you and I will walk away for a little chat.” Afterward, there was a chance only one of us would be walking back.
“Ali?” Reeve said. “What’s going on?”
He nodded readily. Too readily? “The car.”
“I’ll let Ethan explain it later.” We reached a small, round clearing, the sky no longer shielded by the tops of the trees. A big white cloud shaped like a rabbit appeared to be...pulsing. There. Gone. There. Gone. There.
I stopped, stiffened. Smelled nothing I shouldn’t.
Hungry, a voice whispered. So hungry.
Hmm. Smells so good.
Must have.
Want.
Mine. Mine, mine, mine.
The zombies were out, and they were nearby.
“What is it?” Ethan whispered, his voice trembling.
“Kat, Reeve, climb the trees behind you,” I demanded, palming a dagger and a gun. “Now!” I scanned the line of trees in front of us. At the far right, a bush shook, snow dancing to the ground.
A second later, Emma burst through, even though I hadn’t summoned her.
Panic bathed her expression as she ran, her tiny arms pumping quickly at her sides. “They’re coming!” she screamed. “Leave! Alice, leave now! It’s a trap!”
A trap? I couldn’t leave and protect my friends. What was more, I wasn’t going anywhere without my sister. I launched into motion. As I raced, I tried to push my spirit from my body, but Z.A. wrapped her hands around me and anchored me inside.
“Let go,” I screamed at her.
She laughed.
Behind Emma, zombies broke through the thicket.
They were chasing her?
Oh, heck no. She was a spirit. They were spirits.
They would be able to touch her.