Underneath them, the train shook hard, moving fast through dark fields. Cold air pulled at Ava's ripped jacket, yet Liam held her close, his heat pushing back the cold as if saying everything would be okay. That kiss stayed sharp on her mouth - wild, taken in haste, left hanging. She looked over at him slowly; red stained his shoulder, though his light-colored eyes sparkled with the same daring glow she once followed without thinking.
A sharp cry cut through the noise - blood seeped between her fingers where she pressed down. The cloth gave way beneath her grip, torn into a long piece from her sleeve.
A sudden wince crossed Liam's face, though a grin followed just as fast when he caught hold of her hand. Worth every sting, he seemed to say without words. The pad of his thumb moved along her jawline, its roughness stirring something deep inside her. She felt each small motion like a pulse running down her back. Drawn in by an unspoken pull, he closed the space between them, lips nearly brushing hers. Her name escaped him - soft, low - just one syllable hanging in the air: Ava
Time slowed, charged like a storm. Her jaw lifted, pulse racing -
A sharp clang rang out as the train hit the junction, staggering both of them sideways. A metal-tipped shaft punched through near her leg, stuck fast in the door frame.
Liam hissed the word like a curse, pressing her into the dirt while arrows snapped overhead. Alongside them, another pair of hunters rode a service trolley bolted to the opposite rail line, gaining ground quick behind a jury-built chase pod. Light swung in uneven arcs, cold metal flashing in their hands.
Claws twitched as Ava's wolf pushed forward. They keep coming, she thought
Fierce light burned in his eyes when he pulled her up. Not us either, he meant, though he didn't say it again. His mouth crashed into hers - short, rough, stoking what already blazed - and just like that, he was gone, jumping to the next train car. She went after him, claws starting to form under her palms for better hold, both of them racing over unsteady rooftops.
A shot cracked the air, the bolt slicing close enough to sting Liam's skin. Roaring erupted as his body twisted forward, bones reshaping under darkening fur, teeth sharpening fast. Now a hulking shadow of a wolf, he launched himself over metal roofs, crashing hard into one gunman. Down they rolled, a storm of snapping jaws and tearing claws shredding through armor.
Down she dropped next to the second hunter - part man, part beast. His blade missed by inches as she twisted away, seized the crossbow, broke it across her leg. He charged; she slipped aside, drove a knee into his stomach, followed with an elbow strike to the head. The body folded, tumbled from the wagon, vanished into shadow.
A shape slammed into the ground, still. Bones snapped under weight that moved too fast to see. The man stood up, skin smeared red, breath loud against the quiet. His body told stories without words - marks here, tension there. Her eyes stayed longer than planned. Warmth rose in her face, settled deep.
He tugged at his torn coat, words rough like sandpaper. Not looking away, she felt it - that sharp pull between them. His gaze held hers, just as fierce, just as bare. A quiet match of need, neither backing down.
Fingers ran along the cut, her voice close. Impossible was what she said next. He stood there, bare skin meeting cool air. Words hung between them, sharp like the wound
His fingers cradled her cheeks when he leaned in. A long kiss followed - slow at first, then deeper, their breaths syncing as tracks curved beneath them. Skin met skin where her palms traced downward, sharp with want. The sound tearing from his throat sank into her bones. Heat built fast between them, bodies swaying like the carriage they were in. Movement carried them forward, fused by noise and touch.
A crack split the air - shots up ahead. Sparks leapt as the brakes slammed on. "That's Orin's zone," Liam said, stepping back. Help had arrived, coming fast from the front
Down they tumbled, skidding into loose stone while the train groaned to a halt beside empty tracks. Ahead crouched The Last Ember - a low brick shell pretending to be an old yard shack, wrapped in wire fencing and bright beams overhead. Yet figures moved fast along the edge - six of them, weapons up, voices crackling through handheld boxes.
"Flank left," Liam ordered, hand squeezing hers once, lingering. "We hit hard, grab Orin, get out."
Fog curled around them as Ava gave a quick nod, her body buzzing with urgency. Off they went - separate paths, silent steps, swallowed by the mist.
Out of nowhere she moved, leaping the barrier fast. Behind the hunter she landed, taking him down hard. Claws out wide, every inch alive with that mixed rage - vampire quickness wired into lycan muscle. A sharp turn, weapon gone from his grip. Teeth close to skin, just short of biting. Then impact - he dropped, still.
Wind at his back, Liam tore down the right side, fur flying, teeth bared. Bullets snapped past, yet he twisted midair, landing as a man who snatched the gun free. One slash sent red arcing into dirt. Still moving, gaze locked on her face in the chaos. She saw it too - silent agreement passing between them.
Ava felt the cold steel against her spine, the dented surface pressing hard. Breathing quick, she stood close to Liam, his skin wet from battle, nearly touching. His hand moved toward her side, light as a whisper. He asked if she was set, voice low, just above a hum.
A wild smile spread across her face. Luck might need a kiss, she seemed to say
Fingers cupping her jaw, he gave in - starving, desperate, every touch a spark. Fire surged through her veins, animal instinct clashing with ancient hunger deep inside.
Feet slammed into the door. Light flickered within, casting long shadows across bottles that hummed with inner fire. A thin figure wearing glasses ducked low behind wooden furniture - his name was Orin. Boots echoed as armed figures filled the room from behind.
Out of nowhere, everything broke apart. Moving fast, Ava lunged ahead, teeth tearing into a shoulder, wrenching the gun away. A grip around the neck sent another crashing into racks - glass burst, liquids spilled across the floor. Punches landed hard, growls tangled with yelling; a shot clipped Ava's arm, silver burning through fabric, yet she twisted and dropped the man with a strike to his chest.
Out of step but never apart, Liam moved as if made from her own shade. When one last hunter came rushing in, his legs gave way beneath a sweep - then the crack of bones underfoot, Liam standing tall above him.
Out of the stillness came nothing but uneven breathing. Peering around the corner was Orin, his face washed white yet lit with curiosity. That display caught his attention - few ever clear the barrier
Ava felt Liam draw her close, his hold firm around her middle. Her body gave a little toward his, though every cut stung. Close like that, she could hear his chest rise and fall behind her. Even broken places held something true between them. What they had stood strong, not polished but honest.
"Who sent the hunters?" Liam demanded.
Orin smirked. "That's the fun part. Sit. We talk prices."
Sirens screamed beyond the walls. Every second mattered like a heartbeat, yet holding that moment - just her and Liam - Ava knew she'd never give it up.