The Better to Bite(54)

“Anna!” My dad’s footsteps thundered after mine.

I ran straight for the woods. I knew where Granny Helen was. Maybe I could get to her fast enough, maybe I could save her.

The way I hadn’t saved Sissy. Caitlin.

My mom.

A wolf’s howl filled the night, and I ran faster.

I’d just reached the edge of the woods when my dad grabbed my arm. I was jerked to a halt as he demanded, “Is she dead?”

I looked back at him. “I don’t know.” I couldn’t see her face. I could only see the blood that pooled beneath her body. “If we don’t get her soon, she will be.” Blood would attract the predators in the woods. All of them.

He yanked out his phone. Called for back-up and an ambulance.

Cassidy had stumbled down the porch. My body vibrated with tension. I had to go. Had to run.

Find. Her.

Granny Helen was lost, and she needed me.

My dad ended his call and pulled out his gun. “She’s close?”

“In the woods.” I pointed toward the twisting darkness. “She’s hurt.”

Cassidy whimpered.

My dad took my hand. “You hold onto me, every second, got me? Don’t run off, and if you see any wolf—”

My gaze darted to the gun.

“You let me take care of him,” my dad finished.

Swallowing, I nodded. Then we ran into the darkness.

***

Twigs bit into my arms as we raced through the woods. We were close now, so very close. Cassidy had followed behind us, even though my dad had ordered her back.

I didn’t blame her. If it were my grandmother, I’d want to be there, too.

Faster, faster we ran, and a stitch burned in my side. I could feel a pull on my body, like a magnetic force urging me closer to Granny Helen. Not far now, not far at all.

We burst through the trees, and I saw the swooping limbs of the willow. Granny Helen’s body was beneath the tree, but…she wasn’t alone.

“Get back!” My dad’s snapped order to me and Cassidy. He pushed me behind him and raised his weapon.

“You there—step away from the woman and put your hands up!” His voice was a roar that demanded obedience.

Because someone crouched over Granny Helen’s body. Someone, not something. I peered around my dad and saw the person emerge from the shadows.

Tall, strong, wearing loose jeans and no shirt—Brent.

Brent?

“I found her like this,” he said as he raised his hands. “She needs help!”

I wanted to believe him. But in the moonlight, I could see the blood on his hands.

Don’t trust Brent.

“Anna.” My dad’s voice was calm and flat. His cop voice. “Take out my phone and give the men directions to find us.”

I wasn’t sure I could give good directions, but I’d try. I took the phone. One touch and I had deputy Jon on the line.

“Listen to me!” I heard Brent saying to my dad. “An animal did this, not me. I’m here to help her!”

But some animals could be men.

“Step away from her,” my dad ordered him.

Brent eased back.

“Keep those hands up.” My dad’s weapon never wavered as he made his way toward Helen’s body.

He bent and put his fingers to her throat.

“Gran!” Cassidy’s cry. She tried to rush by me, but I grabbed her and held on tight.

I could be pretty strong when I needed to be.

Granny Helen wasn’t moving, but that bloody pool beneath her body—it looked black in the moonlight—was growing.

My dad’s gaze met mine.

Be alive. Be—

“Tell Jon we need those EMTs now!”

And I realized we might just have a chance of saving someone. This time.

***

They got Granny Helen out of the woods. She’d been clawed. Her arms and chest were covered with deep slashes, but she was alive.

Barely.

“Why was she in the woods? How’d she even get here?” Cassidy asked. Her voice was hollow, and I figured she was numb. Or in shock. Maybe a combination of both.

“I don’t know.”

“The shop was trashed, but that’s so far away—”

Granny Helen had been running from something.

I glanced back at the woods, but instead of seeing the trees, I saw Brent. Two deputies were on each side of him, and his hard stare pinned me.

The ambulance’s siren screamed on, and Cassidy jumped into the back with the attendants.

I stepped away from the vehicle.

“Anna!” Her cry rose above the siren, stopping me.

I met her stare.

“Thank you.” Softer.

I nodded.

My secret was officially out. Everyone knew. Rafe thought it was dangerous but…but I’d just saved someone.

Maybe it was time for me to stop hiding. Time for me to be just who I was. Different. Freak.