Read Dead of Night (Hunters of the Dark #4) Page 35

Chapter Twenty-Five

  When Shanna had noticed Krystal and Serene missing from their party, she’d insisted that they go back for them.

  “The two most powerful among us?” Ash asked. “Why? They will be fine, and they know where we are going.”

  “No way,” Shanna shook her head. “Krystal is fourteen. I’m going back for her.”

  “Shanna,” Damien put a hand on her arm. “She’s seen more than most fourteen-year-olds. And she can reach out to me through her powers if she needs to. To go back could mean death for us. And The Goblin Market is huge and crowded. Chances are we won’t find her, even if we try.”

  Shanna’s resolve wavered. “But if there’s even a chance at finding them…”

  “If there’s a chance at finding your five other friends,” Ash interrupted, “We had better keep moving.”

  Shanna hesitated. “Roma won’t hurt Krystal, but what about Serene? She deserves our help if she-“

  Damien suddenly pulled her off of the main road, clamping a hand over her mouth.

  Ash and Lupe followed them into the deep shadows of a booth and Shanna watched as three loup-garous passed them quickly, making for Blackwood.

  “Damn, they’re fast,” Ash muttered. “This is going to be more difficult that I thought.”

  “You’re not going to walk away from a challenge like this, are you?” Damien asked, eyebrows raised.

  Ash snorted. “Not on your life.”

  Shanna stood slowly, watching the streets for signs of other pursuers, but for the moment, it seemed safe. “Come on, guys. Let’s move out before we run into more of them.”

  They weren’t on the street for a minute before Serene caught up to them. Shanna stopped and watched the siren make gestures back the way she’d come, realizing that Krystal had been caught by Roma.

  “She won’t be harmed by Roma,” Ash reminded them as he saw their hesitation. “And if we can rescue your friends, we can go back for her with more firepower at our disposal.”

  Lupe scowled. “My god, just make a decision already.”

  “We need to keep moving,” Damien said, ignoring Lupe and touching Shanna lightly on the forearm.

  She looked at Serene, who watched her for a moment before nodding her agreement.

  Shanna sighed and ran a hand back through her hair. “I don’t think we have much choice. Maybe with Amelia, we can get Krystal back. But Roma…I doubt we could take her ourselves, especially since Damien would be out of the fight, maybe even fighting us at her side, once she gained control over him.”

  Damien looked away, but nodded.

  “We should attempt to beat Roma to Blackwood,” Ash suggested. “It will be much more difficult to secure your friends with her there as well.”

  Shanna looked up with resolve in her eyes. “Alright. Let’s do this.”