Eli hated Saul for lying about bonds.
I understood.
Because this was the outcome. I did this to her.
Our eyes met and she didn’t blink, didn’t even breathe.
Blood dripped from one of my clawed fingers, catching my attention and drawing it to the gory scene around me. I couldn’t touch her with these hands.
The beast couldn’t make sense of Tara’s reaction. He took care of the threat. She was safe now. Why wouldn’t she move?
I didn’t have time to reason with him. To make him understandhewas causing the air to curdle with fear.
I reached for that iron will inside me, using it like a weapon against the beast. He didn’t give in easily, my body jerking and writhing as we both warred for control.
I won. Barely.
I panted as my form shifted, breath steaming in the cool evening air. Pain lanced across wounds on my back with each inhale. Sweat cooled on my neck.
All of it became background noise when Tara sat up, unshed tears sparkling in her eyes as she whispered, “Isaac?”
Chapter 18
Whiplash
Tara
Fearandshockpoundeda rhythm in my ears, blocking out even the sound of my own breathing. Isaac was standing in front of me, his shirt hanging in tattered ribbons around his chest. His jeans weren’t much better.
Blood dripped off his torso, leaving a small circle of droplets on the concrete around him.
That wasn’t the worst of it. It was everywhere, red slashes painted across the walls where claws tore through the air.
Claws.
That one word stalled everything, spiraling me back into shock. I kept waiting to wake up and realize this was all a dream.
A nightmare.
The rasp of Isaac’s voice jerked me back from the edge. “Tara? Are you alright?”
Am I alright?
My knees were skinned, my neck was aching, and I was pretty sure I had a concussion.
That wasn’t really what he was asking, though.
I stared at him, feeling a bead of blood swell on my bottom lip as it cracked. I tried to speak. Nothing came out.
Jay sent men after me.
They weren’tmen.
Jay was one. Isawhim.
God, how many were there?
I couldn’t get my legs to move, despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. There was an iron weight in my chest, holding me in place.