“No… no no no…”
Serena’s voice tore out of her as the forest swallowed Mike and Gerreck whole.
Damien was at her side in seconds.
“Serena.”
She barely registered that he’d used her name. He gripped her arms and hauled her to her feet. “Are you hurt?”
“My shoulder,” she hissed, pressing her hand on it as pain radiated through it.
“I’m fine.”
Damien’s eyes sharpened as they locked on the forest.
“They’re not far.”
Serene paused, as a small wave of embarrassment hit her.
“I hesitated.” she said, her tone grim
“Forget it.”
“I shouldn’t have—”
“Serena.” His grip tightened briefly. “We’re not losing this.”
Her pulse steadied.
“No,” she agreed. “We’re not.”
They ran off.
The forest closed around them almost immediately.
Damien followed, close enough that she could hear his
