Free Last Chance (DarkWorld: SkinWalker Book 3) by T.G. Ayer Page A

just leave her right there to wait for me to find Anjelo and Mom.
    The soft susurration of Lily’s breathing was the only thing to mar the solid silence that fell upon the tunnel. Until Lily yelped and the high-pitched sound echoed around us.
    “Gosh, Lily, a little louder please. I don’t think they heard you in the Greylands. Do you want to alert them to our presence?”
    “Sorry. I just felt my eyes transform.”
    The excitement in her voice was contagious, and I forgot to be annoyed with her. “Good girl. Can you see yet?”
    She was breathing fast, excitement and the thrill of lynx sight rushing through her veins. “Yes, yes, I can. The sight isn’t the best, but it’s not dark any longer.”
    “Good. Then we can get moving,” I said, not waiting for her response as I began to walk forward. The tunnel curved left up ahead, and I moved quicker, determined to get this job done fast.
    “Kai?” Lily asked as she hurried to keep up with me.
    “Yes, Lily?” I responded without looking back.
    “Thank you.” Her voice filtered to me, soft and hesitant.
    “What for?” I frowned but kept walking, eyes open and alert.
    “For being so patient with me. And for bringing me along.” Her voice revealed she’d known all along how close I’d been to saying she couldn’t come.
    I shrugged, but the movement was obliterated by the weight of the weapon-laden satchel on my shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. Just don’t make me regret bringing you, or I will have to send your ass back home immediately.” I smiled to myself. Sometimes it was hard pretending to be an adult.
    My feet hit the stone floor as we moved down the tunnel, sending low thumping sounds echoing around us. I cringed, but there was nothing to do but plod on.
    “Will you really do that?” Lily asked hesitantly, and I considered her question.
    Then I nodded without looking back. “Yes. If you become a burden or jeopardize the mission in any way, I will take you straight back home.”
    Lily grunted and I could just see her pout. “Geez. You’re such a slave driver.”
    I snorted. “I don’t expect any more of you than I do of myself.”
    “I guess you’re right,” Lily conceded before falling into silence. She hurried to keep up with my long alpha strides, but I didn’t slow down. Lily would think I was being easy on her, and the last thing I wanted was for her to become complacent.
    Not in Wrythiin, when all our lives were at stake.
    As we took the corner, the sound of oncoming footsteps slammed into me. For a moment, I was fixed to the spot, unsure of what to do. Then I fell into fighting stance. Lily heard the footsteps too and stopped just at my shoulder. I could taste the tension coming off her body in waves.
    A hooded figure stalked toward us, head down, footsteps in a fast, purposeful rhythm.
     
    ***
     

Chapter 9
    Just when I thought the Wraith hadn’t seen us, he looked up. His face was within folds of shadow, hidden by the large hood of a Wraith cloak. I watched as he slowed to a stop, one black-gloved hand flipping aside the folds of his dark mantle. The black sword at his hip glinted in the meager light. Even in panther sight, the obsidian blade flickered ominously, making my stomach roil in response.
    My hand followed suit and my fingers curled around the hilt of my own appropriated obsidian sword. But it was stupid. The whole hand-on-sword-hilt move was meant to be threatening, but it held no substance. Not when these narrow tunnels made a true sword fight near impossible.
    The Wraith stood stiff, shoulders straight as he waited for my next move.
    Moments passed in which we both seemed to be waiting for the other. I felt he had the advantage, as he was able to see my face while all I could make out was black shadow under the hood. It seemed we both decided at the same time, launching into a run.
    Lily’s voice echoed behind me, her cry of, “No!” reminding me I wasn’t in this alone. In the moment of studying my enemy,