Free Taken Over (Book 2 The Ravening Series) by Erica Stevens Page A

me, helping me to my feet as he pulled me out of the way in time for Jenna , and then Bret. Barney simply trotted down the side of the embankment, his tongue lolling as his eyes seemed to laugh at us.
       “Let’s go,” Lloyd ordered briskly.
       “How much further is it?” Jenna asked quietly.
       Lloyd pulled out the GPS as he began to jog slowly through the woods. He frowned as he raised it high, studying it carefully for a moment. I held my breath, hoping like hell the damn thing finally worked. Lloyd’s shoulders slumped with relief. “Two point eight miles. We can be there in a bout half an hour if we hurry .”
       I was exhausted but the po ssibility of finally reaching one of our desti nat ions was far too tempting to slow me down. We moved swiftly through the woods, Barney stayed close by my side, his tongue lolling as he panted slightly. T here was a bright step in the dog’s gait that hadn’t been there when he had been wandering the street. Apparently a simple piece of bread and a little affection were all that he needed to be happy again. I was heartened by his presence and took strength in his determination and suddenly joyful attitude .
       I turned my attention from Barney to find Lloy d watching me. “Hope he doesn’t bark,” Lloyd muttered.
       I shot him a n angry look but didn’t respond. I hadn ’t thought of that, but I wasn’t going to respond to Lloyd. Following the GPS we came across a small back road lined with trees and white picket fences. For a moment I felt as if we were on the edge of a stage, as if we were looking at the scenery from some play. It was so still, so calm and peaceful that it robbed me of my breath. W here many other roads had destruction littering them, this one did not.
       “Scary,” Bret mutt e re d.
       I seconded that. Barney sat at my side as I crouched down, resting my fingertips on the ground. The scent of dirt and rotting leaves assaulted me. I inhaled deeply savoring in the raw scent of the earth. My earth. “That’s my aunt’s house,” Jenna breathed pointing at a cheery yellow house with soft blue shutters. The potted plants hanging from the porch beams were swaying gently in the soft September breeze. They were beginning to die from lack of water. The whole thing was so damn eerie that I wanted to turn and bolt back into the forest. This air of pristine perfection didn’t seem right. Not at all.
       I glanced at Barney , but he was n’t nervous about the strange road. “The dog seems to thinks it’s ok,” Lloyd muttered.
       “Barney.”
       “What?”
       “His name is Barney,” I told him.
       Lloyd rolled his eyes as he turned his attention back to the road. “ Barney thinks it ’ s ok.”
       We stayed perched by the side of the road studying the house for a moment longer. “Then let’s go,” Jenna said forcefully.
       “Wait.” Lloyd held out a hand, his eyes narrowed as he glanced first one way and then the other. “This whole thing…”
       “Is just wrong,” I finished for him.
       His eyes came slowly toward me. He nodded once, briskly. “It appears safe and we can’t stay here,” Bret said. “We either move now or we stay here until…”
       “Until we know it’s not safe,” Jenna retorted sharply.
       I rested my hand on her arm, looking to calm the simmering tension radiating from her. Her patience was obviously wearing thin and I didn’t blame her. “We’re going,” I assured her. “ It may not feel right but i t’s not going to get any calmer than this road. We have to go.”
       Lloyd nodded, but his eyes were distant , weary . I rose slowly, if he wasn’t going to go first, then I would. I took a deep breath, drawing on my courage as I prepar ed to plummet into the calm streets of what had the eerie appear ance of Mayberry. I bolted forward before anyone could stop me, racing across the street with more speed than I would have possessed a month ago. I