Free Inequities by Jambrea Jo Jones

him. The leaves and twigs dug into her ass.
    She could do this. Save herself . The only problem she had was not knowing where she was and how far they’d walked. She needed civilisation, but she had nowhere to hide the gun. She’d have to take over now.
    “Stay where you are,” Vivian shouted.
    He laughed. The stupid crazy man—laughed.
    “Put the gun down, Vivian.”
    She had this strange urge to listen to his command. Vivian shook her head. No. She was in control.
    “I said stand down or I will shoot you.”
    “You don’t have it in you. Give it to me.”
    Ryerson got off the ground and stalked towards her. She didn’t want to, but she wasn’t letting him take over. She closed her eyes and squeezed the trigger. Nothing happened.
    “Stay back.” Vivian moved backward.
    What was wrong with the gun? It didn’t fire and he was getting closer. Safety. Shit. Yes, she had to take it off. He wouldn’t have the weapon down his pants ready to fire. Vivian took a second to look down at the gun. That was all he needed. Ryerson pounced on her as she switched the safety to the off position. Her finger squeezed and the gun went off.
    They both froze. Vivian didn’t feel any pain. Had she hit him? She needed him down for the count. The only drawback to her twisting her ankle was she couldn’t run. If she shifted—she could do this.
    Ryerson fell to the ground, but she couldn’t see where he was hit. Vivian threw the gun as hard as she could, away from Ryerson. She wouldn’t be able to hold on to it when she changed. She took the shirt off and shifted. Her fox was strong. The shift took some of the burn off her leg. Not looking back she turned and raced in the direction they’d come from. Back to Russ.
    A hand stopped her. She let out a high-pitched yap and bit at the fingers. She had to run. So close to being free. He’d tricked her. Vivian nipped and yapped. Long and loud. Someone had to be out there.
    “You bitch.” Ryerson slammed her into the ground forcing her to shift back. She couldn’t move. It was too late. He’d kill her now for sure.
    I love you, Russ. Sorry. I’m so sorry.

Chapter Eight
     
     
     
    Russ had caught up with the others. It wasn’t too hard, with the Ancients help he’d known right where he needed to be.
    “Wait. Did you hear that?” Russ halted the others.
    There it was again. Screams like someone was being attacked. It had to be Vivian.
    “Don’t.” Greycen stopped his mad dash.
    “Let go of me if you want to keep that hand.”
    “Listen to me. We can’t charge in there. We could make things worse.”
    Russ paused and took a deep breath. Greycen was right. He would take the man’s counsel.
    “You’re right. Split up. Max, come with me. Peter and Greycen work your way around so we can come at this bastard from both sides. I want him surrounded and he is mine. Are we clear?”
    Nods followed his announcement. He’d kill Ryerson for harming a hair on Vivian’s head.
    Max powered up his hands. The flashes of light still held Russ in awe. To have that power would be wondrous, but it didn’t make him feel less anymore. He was strong in his own way. His power was in his leadership. Why the fuck it’d taken him this long to figure out he had no idea. Zareb had as much as told him that a good leader used his people’s strengths for the greater good of the tribe. And Zareb should know.
    Calm. Focus. He would do this and no one would get hurt. Well, except Ryerson. He would bruise the fox a little before bringing him down. His own den could bring him to justice.
    “Keep it light. I don’t want him dead. Yet,” Russ whispered to Max.
    Max winked at him and continued on. If the situation wasn’t so dire, he might have laughed. They got closer to the sounds. Then silence. Russ closed his eyes. He couldn’t rush in. She might get hurt worse.
    Russ looked at the scene before him and saw red. Rage took over. He made sure Greycen and Peter were in position and he charged. Max