Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
“So, what do you want to do for our next date?” he inquired.
“Hey! That was my question!” Matteo shouted, ending in another round of giggles.
Luke opened his mouth to make another teasing comment when he thought he saw someone move in the deep shadows between two buildings. His heart lodged in his throat. Was that one of the demons? Were they following them to the college? Usually, Azroth would simply send the crows to watch over him, but maybe it was too cold for the crows.
It had to be the demons. They could probably sense that he and Matteo had left the house. They likely returned home, and Azroth ordered Tog or Mullmag to follow them to the college to make sure Matteo made it safely. That had to be all it was.
Except another shadow moved between two homes. This one was larger and human-shaped. But not shaped like any of the demons in their human form.
No, they were being followed, and it wasn’t by the demons.
Luke’s heart raced as he glanced around, and sweat beaded up on his back despite the cold. There were few businesses in this area, and they were all closed for the night. Just homes with their lights turned out as everyone slept. Right now, they were a block from the closest entrance to campus. There was a blue call box right by the entrance that linked straight up to the police. Not to mention, security cameras covered the campus.
If they could make it to school, it was likely whoever was following them would give up. From there, he could return to Matteo’s dorm with him and call for a ride-share to take him home.
There. He had a plan. This was going to work.
Luke slipped a hand up to grip Matteo’s biceps and leaned in close, pinning a fake smile to his lips as he whispered. “When I tell you, run as fast as you can to campus.”
Matteo’s pace faltered, but Luke maintained a tight hold on him, keeping him moving. “What?” Matteo gasped.
“We’re being followed.” A car door slammed shut somewhere down the block, and Luke used it as a starting pistol. “Run!” he barked.
They launched themselves forward, racing along the sidewalk. Behind them, a car engine roared to life and tires squealed. Panic exploded in Luke’s chest, but all he could think to do was run. A second later, new footsteps pounded on the sidewalk behind them. He couldn’t think. Didn’t know what to do. The only thing he knew was to run.
As they were reaching the corner nearest the college, Matteo suddenly jerked back, ripping free of Luke’s hand. His surprised cry cut through the cold, silent air, stopping Luke’s heart. He stopped and turned to grab Matteo, but it was too late.
Two big men dressed all in black wearing black face coverings seized Matteo’s arms while one punched him in the stomach. Luke lunged for them to pull Matteo free, but another man in black stepped up and took a swing. Luke dodged. Behind him, a car screeched to a stop and a car door was flung open.
No! They had to run. If they were stuffed into that car, there was no hope of escape.
But the thought had no sooner crossed his mind as pain exploded in the back of his head and the world went black. Rough voices blurred into indecipherable white noise, and he felt himself sinking to the ground. He couldn’t save Matteo. Couldn’t even save himself.
Not the ending he’d been expecting for their first date.
Chapter 24
Payback
LUKE
Consciousness crawled into Luke’s mind bit by bit.
He was cold. So fucking cold.
His head throbbed like his brain was attempting to leak out of his skull.
More of his body hurt, but it was difficult to pinpoint the exact locations when it all mixed to make a nauseating brew of pain and cold. Part of him wanted to slip into the black void of unconsciousness again, but there was something nagging at him, pulling him toward being fully awake. He didn’t know what. Everything in his head was fuzzy and hurt.
The feeling grew more urgent as the seconds ticked by until at last he forced himself to pry his eyelids open a crack.
Darkness.
It was almost a relief considering how badly his head hurt. He slowly opened his eyes the rest of the way and looked around. This wasn’t his room or the house he shared with the demons. It wasn’t anywhere he recognized on campus, either. He was lying on a dirty concrete floor as far as he could tell, but everything else remained in heavy shadow. It was all indistinct blobs looming over him. The scent of rust, dust, and mold was thick in the air.
He attempted to pull his arms under his body to push himself upright, but he couldn’t move. Panic sliced through his heart. His wrists were tied behind him. Someone had bound his ankles as well. He couldn’t move. Couldn’t sit up. What the fuck was happening?