“I can’t see that we have any other—” Aiden stopped, expression intent.
The fear that had been easing since we’d stepped into the cabin ratcheted up again. “What?”
The question came out slightly strangled, thanks to the fact my heart seemed to be pounding in the vicinity my throat.
“Movement, coming up the ridge,” he said. “They’re good, too. I can barely hear them.”
“How close?” Hart asked softly. “And how many?”
“Two. Headed this way, but not taking our path.” He paused, head slightly cocked to one side. “They’ve just split and are now approaching the clearing from the left and the right.”
“What’s the betting they’re our vampire’s hired guns?” Hart pulled his gun from its holster. “Shall we go greet them?”
Aiden nodded and glanced at me. “Wait here.”
“Please, both of you—be careful. This could be the trap I was sensing.”
Neither man answered. They simply slipped out the door and disappeared into the scrub to the right and left of the cabin. I closed the door and then slid the bolt across. It probably wouldn’t hold up if any great force was applied to it, but it nevertheless made me feel a little safer.
I stepped to one side and leaned back against the cool stone, my eyes closed but every other sense I had open. It didn’t tell me what was happening. Aside from the gnawing certainty that the shit was about to hit the fan, my “other” senses were giving me little in the way of information.
I crossed my arms and clenched my fists against the need to unbolt the door and race out after the two men. At best, I’d only get in their way. And worst, I could end up a hostage and turn a dangerous situation into a deadly one.
But the silence ran on, eating at my nerves.
I pushed away from the wall and began to pace. It didn’t help.
Then a sound not unlike the backfire of a car shattered the silence. I froze, my pulse racing and fear heavy in my heart.
That sound could only have been a gunshot.
I had no idea who had fired, but I desperately wanted to believe it had been either Aiden or Hart. Desperately wanted to believe that they were safe and unhurt—that the death and darkness I’d feared hadn’t just landed.
I bit my lip against the instinctive need to call out, and resumed pacing.
Two minutes later, another shot echoed.
But again, it was followed by silence. Far too many minutes of silence.
Then footsteps approached—two sets, one quieter than the other. Tears of relief stung my eyes and I all but ran to the door. But just as I was about to throw back the bolt, caution stirred.
If it was Aiden and Hart approaching, why hadn’t either of them called out?
I rose on my tiptoes and peered through one of the many cracks in the door.
It wasn’t Aiden or Hart. It was two complete strangers.
And they both had their weapons aimed at the door.
Chapter Twelve
I threw myself sideways and covered my head with my hands, even as the door exploded under a fierce storm of gunfire. Splinters, dust, and even stone chips flew everywhere, small but dangerous missiles that bit into my skin as easily as the air.
I swore and scrambled away on hands and knees, heading for the corner near the fireplace, as far away from the door as was practical in this tiny, one-room cottage.
Belle? I screamed. I need you to contact the rangers and Blume, and get them up here ASAP. Tell them to bring medics.
Fuck, Lizzie, what’s going on?