were looking, hoping, for trouble, and that they’d just spotted their next victim. She wondered if it was obvious how alone she was.
Among them was a wild dog, huge, rabid looking, and twice the size of Ruth.
“What you doing out here all alone?” the lead boy asked in a mocking way, to the laughter of the other four. He was muscular and stupid-looking, with broad lips and a scar on his forehead.
As she looked at them, Scarlet felt a new sense overcome her, one she had never experienced before: it was a heightened sense of intuition. She didn’t know what was happening, but suddenly, she was able to read their thoughts clearly, to feel their feelings, to know their intentions. She felt immediately, clear as day, that they were up to no good. She knew that they wanted to harm her.
Ruth snarled beside her. Scarlet could sense a major confrontation coming—which was exactly what she wanted to avoid.
She leaned down and began to lead Ruth away.
“Come on Ruth,” Scarlet said, as she began to turn and walk away.
“Hey, girl, I’m talking to you!” yelled the boy.
As she walked away, Scarlet turned over her shoulder and saw the five of them jump down off the stone and begin walking after her.
Scarlet burst into a run, back into the alleyways. She wanted to put as much distance between herself and these boys as she could. She thought of her power with the Roman soldier, and for a moment wondered if she should stop and try to defend herself.
But she didn’t want to fight. She didn’t want to hurt anyone. Or take any chances. She just wanted to find her mommy and daddy.
Scarlet turned down an alley empty of people. She looked back, and within moments, could see the group of boys chasing after her. They weren’t far behind, and they were gaining speed fast. Too fast. Their dog ran among them, and Scarlet could see that in moments, they’d catch up. She had to make a good turn to lose them—and fast.
Scarlet turned another corner, hoping she’d find a way out. But as she did, her heart stopped.
A dead-end.
Scarlet turned slowly, Ruth by her side, and faced the boys. They were now maybe ten feet away. They slowed as they approached, taking their time, savoring the moment. They stood there laughing, cruel smiles on the faces.
“Looks like your luck has run out, little girl,” the lead boy said.
Scarlet was thinking the same thing. They had backed her into a corner.
Before she could even react, their dog suddenly ran forward, leapt into the air and aimed for Scarlet, his teeth pointing right for her throat.
CHAPTER THREE
Sam woke to a splitting headache. He reached up with both hands and held his head, trying to make the pain go away. But it wouldn’t. It felt like the entire world was coming down on his skull.
Sam tried to open his eyes, to figure out where he was, and as he did, the pain was unbearable. Blinding sunlight bounced off of desert rock, forcing him to shield his eyes and lower his head. He felt himself lying on a rocky, desert floor, felt the dry heat, felt the dust rising up into his face. He curled up in a fetal position and held his head tighter, trying to make the pain go away.
Memories came flooding back.
First, there was Polly.
He remembered Caitlin’s wedding night. The night he proposed to Polly. Her saying yes. The joy on her face.
He remembered the next day. His going on his hunt. His anticipation of their night to come.
He remembered finding her. On the beach. Dying. Her telling him about their baby.
Waves of grief came rushing back. It was more than he could handle. It was like a terrible nightmare re-running in his head, one he could not switch off. He felt that all he had left to live for was stripped away from him, all in one grand moment. Polly. The baby. Life as he knew it.
He wished he’d died at that moment.
Then he remembered his vengeance. His rage. Killing Kyle.
And the moment that everything changed. He remembered Kyle’s spirit infusing him. He remembered the indescribable feeling of rage, of another person’s spirit and soul and energy invading his, possessing him completely. It was the moment Sam stopped being who he was. It was the moment he became someone else.
Sam opened his eyes completely, and he sensed, he knew, they were glowing bright red. He knew they were no longer his. He