The Vow (Black Arrowhead #1) - Dannika Dark Page 0,99

one elusive enough to slip in and out without getting caught. Maybe Crow had finally hit rock bottom because no one was hiring him, and he was taking out all his anger on innocent victims, using the tribe as a scapegoat to divert attention from his sadistic pleasures.

A strange calm came over Lakota, as if the danger had temporarily passed. He couldn’t explain it, but he somehow knew it was the invisible connection he shared with Melody. His gut told him she was okay.

For now.

He twirled the knife in his hand and looked around. Where the hell did this guy run off to in the dark of night?

Kaota tossed his brother’s shirt back into the trunk. “I’ll shift and look for a scent.”

Lakota made a slow turn and scanned the woods. “We don’t know what kind of animal we’re dealing with, so keep your wolf quiet. I’ll follow behind you. If Crow’s a grizzly, we’re going to need my knife.”

Kaota pulled a slender flashlight from the trunk and handed it to Lakota. “Just don’t stab me with that thing,” he said, nodding at the blade as he shifted.

His wolf lifted his nose, distinguishing Melody’s scent from Crow’s. He stopped in front of a pile of clothes on the ground and snorted. Lakota watched the wolf trot up to the car and then run back down the road. Seconds later, he reappeared, his nose working overtime as he scurried into the woods.

“And so it begins,” Lakota said, shadowing him.

Without moonlight, the darkness was all-encompassing. Kaota’s wolf could see better, but Lakota wasn’t completely blind. He drew what light he could from the stars. His father had taught him at an early age how to use his other senses. He moved slowly, stealthily, deciding against using the flashlight so he wouldn’t draw attention to himself, not until he knew what they were dealing with.

In the distance, Kaota’s wolf yelped. Lakota switched on his flashlight and picked up speed when the raucous sound of fighting grew louder. As he reached a small clearing, the flashlight tumbled to the ground, spraying light on the grim scene. Crow stood naked before Kaota, who had shifted to human form and was lying on the ground, bleeding.

Lakota charged ahead, palming his knife. Crow turned, the flash of a silver blade slicing the air. Taken by surprise, Lakota pivoted, but the sharp knife sliced across the front of his shoulder. He fell on one knee and drove his knife into Crow’s leg. With impeccable speed, Crow brought down his arm in a stabbing motion. Lakota had no time to think. He rolled out of reach and sprang to his feet.

It only took seconds for him to realize Crow was a skilled fighter. He was not a man lashing out with ineptitude—his moves were calculated and fast. He had an Iwa knife in his possession. It had a backward hook and could tear flesh from bone. Crow pulled Lakota’s knife free and tossed it into the woods.

Kaota was still lying to the side. Lakota remained focused, his spirit wolf smelling prey and the thrill of the chase.

“This is the end of the line,” Lakota declared, his arms wide as he circled around Crow. “The Council knows what you’ve done. It would be foolish to kill one of us when they’re on their way over.”

Crow shook his head, a sardonic grin on his face. “You simpleminded little half-breed.”

Lakota remained quiet. Crow’s animal was likely not a predator, yet he didn’t seem keen on fleeing the scene. An impulsive man fled, but an intelligent man never left behind witnesses.

“You’re my big fat paycheck,” Crow declared, nearing his bag.

Lakota quickly edged him away from it, suspecting he might have a gun or another weapon that would give him more of an advantage. Crow looked irritated and backed away.

“Where’s the girl?” Lakota demanded.

“You’re so easy to bait,” Crow remarked with a slow chuckle. “And I thought the girls were easy prey.”

Lakota’s blood boiled when Crow didn’t answer his question.

Crow moved in a flash and sliced Lakota’s arm. Instead of retreating, Lakota tried to muscle him to the ground, his hand tightly gripped around Crow’s wrist. They struggled for the knife, Lakota digging in his feet until Crow stumbled. When they slammed into a tree trunk, Lakota lost his footing and fell to the side, a stick jabbing him in the hip.

Kaota suddenly shifted back to wolf form and rose to his feet.

Crow bit down on a tassel hanging from the knife handle, the