Daughter of Anat by Cyndi Goodgame Page A

he’ll be stabilized.  Right now, he’s liable to bite either one of us.  A little creepy on the biting me part, but still.”
    Only Szar adds his wisecracks in the worst situations.
    “How long now,” I didn’t take my eyes away from Cas.  He was so still.
    “It ’s been two minutes.”
    We stayed where we were in silence.  I wondered briefly where Cord was and if he was safe.  “Everyone is okay?” I asked Szar through my teeth.
    “Yes.  Cord is fine.”
    Stupid ass brother.
    Minutes.  Finally I heard commotion.  Cord emerged through the door and walked right up to Cas.  Why does he get to?
    Cas ’ arms were still tied to the chair.
    “What do you want me to do , man?  Untie you or open the bag?”
    “The bag.  I don ’t trust myself with Stace in the room.”
    If I doubted any of them before in loyalty, I didn ’t now. 
    Turn around , Kissa.
    “NO!” I said aloud. 
    Please.   He pleaded.  I can’t do this.
    With every bone in my body protesting, I did as he asked.  Cas ’ face was stony, sunken in like.  His hair hid most of his face, but I’d seen it before I turned.
    Szar disappeared from my peripheral. 
    “Szar.  Tell me what you’re doing?”  I would burst if the energy flowing through me didn’t release soon.
    “He will be fine , Stace,” a warm voice sounded beside my ear.  I struck my knife in the direction only because all my instincts were off with Cas in pain. 
    Calum ’s arm caught it and held on.  He planted his body across the back of mine and wrapped both hands around my forearms.  Electricity jolted higher with the second hand touching me.  We both startled upward like we’d lift off making the current grow.  The buzz of it was painful, yet it made me strong.  Weird.  The last time we’d held each other this close involved kissing.  No, we never kissed long for the pain grew unbearable.  Now I wondered if the pain shifted into something else. 
    When I looked down at where his hands held me, I flopped back against the better part of Calum freaked out at what I saw.  The rings.
    They glowed.  Mine on my arm dangling down, his on his hand.  Bright enough to glow in the dark.
    “I ’ll take her,” Cas’ voice was closer pulling us both out of the shock.
    I pulled out of Calum ’s grasp and jumped fiercely into Cas’ arms.  His face was above me.  Still covered in blood, his fangs were there, his eyes were bright with something unlike I’ve seen before. 
    You ’re okay? I asked him.
    Not completely.  But enough.  If I told you to not do this again you would just defy me, right?
    I nodded into him .  Damn straight.  I folded up in his arms shuddering from the release of knowing he was safe.
    I can handle this. 
    Maybe later.  For now, it will take time.  Your safety is all that matters.
    My safety means nothing if you are gone.
    He pulled me closer crushing me .  I’m sorry.
    I don’ t know how long we stood there holding each other, but the room was empty when I peeked over his shoulder and saw the crumbles of broken desk and chairs across the room and no live bodies.
    “They are in the next room waiting.”
    Oh!
    A shot of embarrassment at my rash need for Cas broadcasting to the people who could read me the most made me blush as I walked over broken glass to get to the front room.  The shack was small and stunk like death.  I wanted to burn it to the ground, but right smack in the middle of the city made it not a wise thing to do. 
    We all walked out the front door expecting to get in cars and head somewhere to clean up and “talk” about what happened.  No, it was never decided, but it was all in our eyes and gestures.  We’d developed some kind of sixth sense for each other and as odd as it was, it gave me strength.  So when we all neglected to sense the bodies lurking outside the door, I freaked like a crazed monkey.
    “Watch out for the knife from the left,” I yelped at Szar as he dodged it and ended the shorter