nd the corner. My breath hitched, and I bolted in the opposite

n't have been just the scent of my blood. They must have known w

thought chilled me. I had been so careful, so methodical, outmaneuver

old myself, sprinting through the rain-slick streets. Withdraw

ed to the walls where shadows stretched unnaturally-three wolf-like silhouettes creeping closer

the ground. "Five against one? You gentlemen sure know how to ma

an form. Three men emerged from the darkness ahead, tall and

t unless you make us," one of them snarl

I tightened my fists. "Calm down, Thalassa. Focus," I mutte

"We don't have all night. Surrend

a mistake. I seized his wrist, twisting with all the force I could

t a gentleman!" anothe

nto his jaw before aiming for his eyes. He staggered

and stomped hard on his foot, breaking free just long enough to whirl and strike his sola

harder, knowing they would be right on my heels. The corner of an abandoned bu

stepping into my path with a smile that chilled me t

ead sinking like lead

?" Merrick taunted, his vo

hot out, grabbing my collar and yanking me back. I hit the ground hard but scrambled to

ngth behind the blow, but it barely fazed him. Merrick

and lifted me off the ground. I clawed at his hand, struggling for air, but his strength w

killed you already," he murmured, his breath hot agains

rouched beside me. From his pocket, he produ

trouble," he said with a smirk, p

llowed. My veins felt as though they were on fire. I tried to pull the syringe out,

I croaked, my voic

errick mocked, his grin widening. "We'

men hauled me up by my arms, dragging me toward the alley

than my captors could react. The man dragging me cried out as som

a deep, unfamili

a long black coat stepped into view, his

are you?!" M

olly, stepping closer. His voice carried a d

effortless motion, the stranger caught the attacker's le

rrick bellowed, h

ilver hair gleaming under the streetlamp. My brea

calm but menacing. His lips curled in