Living with the Dead

ROBYN

Robyn turned to run from the man. She knew it was futile – he was close enough to grab her. But he didn't. She was so surprised that she stumbled, twisting to look back at him.

He stood there. Smiling. "Ten. Nine. Eight."

Robyn ran.

The forest couldn't be that big. The path had to lead to the other side. Unless it just looped around to where it started…

"Ready or not…"

Robyn dove into the brush. She hit the ground, skidding through the undergrowth, shoulder flaring, a branch scraping her cheek a mere inch from her eye. She scrambled in deeper, every move making the brush crackle and snap like gunfire.

She dropped, turned toward the path and stretched out on her stomach. The vegetation sprang back up, cradling her. Flat on the ground, she watched the man's pale face bobbing along the path. It stopped directly parallel to where she lay.

He turned and crossed his arms. His sigh wafted through the quiet forest. "Oh, come on. If you're going to play, you have to do better than that. I can smell you. I can see in the dark. What the hell did Marsten teach you about werewolves?"

Robyn choked back a laugh. Did he really say werewolves? He was going to have to do better than that if he wanted to scare her.

He couldn't see her. He'd just approximated where the noise had come from.

"Are you going to make me come in there after you, blondie?"

Like to see you try, Mr. Werewolf.

He took a step into the forest. Then another, and another, sauntering along as easily as if he was still on the path, ducking branches she couldn't even see, heading straight for her.

Her shirt.

She'd tried to buy one as dark as possible, but it had white stripes. Against the darkness, she must stand out like a zebra on a dimly lit plain.

She tensed, but held still, hoping she was wrong, that he was still guessing -

He stopped four feet away, his face turning to hers, teeth flashing against the night.

She leapt to her feet and barreled through the undergrowth, glancing over her shoulder to see him still sauntering, unhindered by the brush, not even bothering to run.

She was veering to circle back to the path when she caught the flash of reflective tape on a tree and ran for it. The path. Thank God. She rammed through the last patch of brush. Vines grabbed her feet, but she yanked free and hit the path at a run.

Just find the end. This wasn't the Amazon jungle.

Footsteps pounded on the path behind her. Now he was running.

Just keep going. Keep -

Robyn tripped over a root and sprawled face-first to the dirt, hands flying out, her skinned palms and injured shoulder screaming.

Ignore it. Get up and -

A hand grabbed her foot and yanked. Her face slammed into the dirt. With a bone-wrenching jerk, he flipped her onto her back.

"Not bad, blondie. Not bad at all. Wanna have another go? I figure we have – " He checked his watch. "At least ten minutes before the cavalry arrives. Marsten's good at following a scent, but he'll hate sniffing the ground to do it. Grass stains are a bitch to get out of Armani. Or so I hear."

He was casual and relaxed, still smiling. Sweat dripped into Robyn's eyes. He wasn't even breathing heavy. Just a pleasant jog through the woods. She couldn't escape him, no more than she could Adele.

Ah, but you did escape Adele, Bobby. Look around. She's long gone.

Sure, that was because she was still back at the fair, sipping a soda while her thug partner beat the crap out of Robyn.

She hadn't escaped. She'd run straight into a trap.

"Well, are you getting up? I'm going to give you another chance."

"Sure, like Lucy gives Charlie Brown another chance to kick the football."

He threw back his head, laughing. "Sharp one, aren't you? I'm glad to see you still have some spunk. Now let's see you use it. Of course, I don't plan to let you get away, but you don't really have much choice, do you? How about I give you to the count of twenty this time?"

Robyn rose slowly, brushing herself off as she looked around, getting her bearings. The man eased back, relaxing.

"Come on now," he said. "We're on a schedule here."

"Before I do – "

She wheeled, as if to bolt. The man lunged at her. She spun and kicked, aiming for his crotch. She saw her foot flying, on target. At the last second, he grabbed her ankle, so fast she saw only a blur. He whipped her off her feet and threw her. She hit the ground and lay there, gasping, her brain struggling to comprehend why she was on her back and how she got there.

The man stood at least ten feet away. He'd thrown her. Grabbed her by the leg and thrown her like a doll. She stared at him, his slight build, his wiry arms.

He was barely bigger than she was. How the hell had she mistaken him for Karl? Forget that. How the hell had he thrown her ten feet?

"That was good," he said, advancing. "A double fake-out. Of course, I wouldn't be nearly as impressed if you'd succeeded with that kick." He smiled, teeth flashing. "In fact, I'd say if you had managed it, you'd have been in for a double-dose of pain."

Wheezing, she pushed up onto her elbows and inched back. The man strolled over and planted a foot on her chest. When she rose, tentatively, he kicked her injured shoulder, bringing tears to her eyes.

And still he smiled.

"So, what are you?" he asked. He said something that sounded like "bitch," then continued, "Because if you are, I'd say you need some serious practice with your spellbook. If you cast one, I didn't even notice."

Witch? Had he said witch?

"Maybe half-demon, like your friend?" he continued. "Mmm, now there's a cutie. Nothing against you, blondie, but I like them more exotic."

Was he talking about Hope?

"And from what I hear, she's definitely exotic. Some rare kind of demon, isn't she? The kind that likes trouble." A low, growling laugh. "Really likes trouble, the way I hear it. No wonder Marsten hooked up with her."

Marsten? Robyn struggled to remember Karl's last name. It was Marsten, wasn't it? What the hell was going on?

She squeezed her eyes shut. Forget it. If this was Adele's partner, he was probably just as crazy as she was. Demons and witches and werewolves. Insane.

The man's next words were cut off by his cell phone.

He checked the display. "Ah, the boss. Now keep your mouth shut, blondie, okay? Or else…" He put his foot on her shoulder, making her gasp. Then he answered with a "Hey."

A moment's pause.

"Not so well. Got a bit of a problem. I was following Marsten and his girlfriend, and they led me to the blonde. Adele was chasing her with a gun. I rescued her, which I figured was what you'd want, but I couldn't do it without making contact. She's not nearly as grateful as she should be."

He listened.

"That's what I figured. I was going to bring her to you, but Marsten's hot on my trail. We've been dodging them, but they're gaining. I can hear him coming right now."

Robyn heard only the wind sighing through the trees.

"I'm just saying, this might not go down the way you were hoping. I have a feeling, as hard as I try to avoid it, fur is gonna fly." His grin belied the regret in his voice. "Marsten's a cold-blooded bastard. Negotiations with a guy like that usually end with corpses. Just so you know."

A pause.

"All right then. I'll do my best – "

Robyn grabbed his foot and heaved. When the man staggered back, off balance, she leapt up, wrenching his leg. He toppled over backward, phone falling.

Robyn ran.

Curses rang out behind her. This time, she was sure the word he used wasn't witch.

She ran full out, adrenaline pumping so hard that if her lungs were complaining, she didn't feel it. She kept her head down, watching the moonlit path for obstacles this time.

The path had to end soon. It had to -

And there it was. The end. A barricade across the path with a white sign so big she could read it in the dark. "Soil erosion. Path closed. We apologize for the inconvenience."

She let out a huffing laugh. They had no idea how damned inconvenient it was. Screw soil erosion. She was going through.

She vaulted over the barrier. Amazing what adrenaline could do.

She ran another dozen paces, then pulled up short on the edge of a ten-foot drop-off.

Uh, I do believe that's the soil erosion, Bobby.

She considered jumping, but couldn't see the bottom in the dark and would probably impale herself on a retaining rod.

There had to be a way around. She ran into the bushes and found herself in a veritable jungle, so thick she'd need a machete to chop her way through. The running footsteps sounded again.

She flailed about until she found a clear path. Once she got in deeper, she could take advantage of the thick woods to hide -

A figure loomed in her path. She let out a shriek. He lunged and grabbed her, his hand slapping over her mouth, his other arm swinging her off her feet, carrying her, kicking and writhing before setting her down in a clearing, still gagged, with one hand pressing the top of her head.

"Get down. Hope?"

Another pair of hands tugged her shirt. "I've got her. Rob, get down."

Robyn recognized the voices but after the last time, she didn't trust herself. She followed the hand over her mouth and saw Karl.

"Down," he said.

Hope grabbed her arm and pulled her to her knees.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," the man's voice sang out. Brush rustled, then stopped. "What's that I smell? The big bad wolf took the bait?"

Karl swung toward them. "Get her out of here," he said to Hope.

Hope didn't move. Robyn looked over to see her staring into the forest, her eyes gleaming, unseeing, her face blank.

"Hope," Karl snapped.

"She's scared," Robyn snapped back. "I'll get her out. Which way -?"

"Hope," Karl said, getting her attention. "Control it."

"Sorry. I'm fine." Hope shivered.

"Asshole," Robyn muttered.

Karl's gaze swung her way, as if he'd heard. She imagined Damon's chuckle. I don't think he expects insults after rescuing you, Bobby.

"Come on." Hope tugged her arm.

Robyn glanced at Karl, who'd turned away, dismissing them as he scanned the forest.

"He'll be fine," Hope said. "We need to go."

Um, Bobby, if the dude wants to play he-man, that's his problem. Get the hell out of there.

Robyn unlocked her knees and let Hope lead her through the undergrowth. After a few steps, Hope slowed, her chin lifting, that same blank look crossing her face. Robyn took her elbow, but Hope yelled "Karl!" grabbed Robyn and yanked her back.

"Damn, she's good," said a voice in front of them.

Robyn froze and squinted into the darkness. It was another moment before the man stepped out of the trees, right in their path. Clutching a gun, Hope stood between Robyn and the man.

Where the hell did Hope get a gun?

"Guess I can't sneak up on you, can I, demon-girl? So how does that work? You catch a vision, right?" He lifted his foot, easing forward. "You see me coming."

"Stop," Hope said.

"Have you got silver in that gun? Because if you don't – "

"I don't need silver bull – " Hope glanced over at Robyn, then back at the man. "Just stop."

Karl stood a dozen feet behind Robyn. He seemed to be measuring the distance between himself and the man, gauging whether he could get to the guy before he pounced on Hope. His jaw tightened, as if he didn't like the answer.

"Hope?" Karl said. "Back up toward me."

Hope didn't move. Robyn couldn't see why she had to – she was holding a gun on an unarmed man.

"Hope?" Karl's voice sharpened to a razor edge.

Robyn shot a glare at him.

"I don't think she wants your help, old man," the other guy said. "She's having too much fun. You like a little danger, don't you, babe? Gets your motor revving."

Hope's eyes were glittering again. Sweat sparkled across her cheeks and forehead. She breathed fast through her mouth. Not fear, Robyn realized. Excitement.

"Got a real lust for trouble, don't you, babe? How hot are you right now? I bet you're so wet – "

Karl snarled, an inhuman sound that sent Robyn spinning to look at him. He strained forward, face twisted with rage.

"Karl." It was Hope's turn to snap a sharp warning.

Robyn tensed for Karl's reaction, but he only murmured, "I know, I know," then rolled back on his heels. "Just back up. I'll be okay if you back up."

"Am I making you nervous, old man? Why? Just because I could break her neck before she fired that gun? Don't worry, babe. Killing you isn't what I have in mind. How about a deal? You come along with me. See how much more fun you could have with someone your own age. We'll leave the old dog with blondie. She's more his speed."

"Do you want him, Karl?" Hope asked.

"Yes, please." Karl's words were a growl.

"Robyn, step back. I've got you covered, Karl."

The younger man just stood there, smirking, like a wolf listening to the foolish little rabbits plotting to overthrow him.

"Be careful," Robyn said. "He's fast and he's a lot stronger than he looks."

That made the man laugh. "Really? Fancy that. What the hell are you teaching these girls about werewolves, Marsten?"

Hope's gaze shunted to Robyn.

"Or maybe at your age 'strong' is relative, huh, old man?"

"Karl?" Hope said.

"I'm right behind – "

The man lunged. Hope did the same – diving off to the side as she fired. The bullet caught the man in the side and he spun. Before he could recover, Karl tackled him and the two men went down.

"Robyn!" Hope scrambled up, gun trained on the fighting men. "Get back to the path."

The man wriggled out from under Karl. He sprang to his feet. Karl twisted out of the way. He grabbed the man on the rebound and threw him.

The man sailed through the air and crashed into the undergrowth fifteen feet away.

Robyn stared.

He threw him. Just picked him up and hurled him, like the guy did to me.

"Robyn!" Hope yelled. "The path."

Robyn couldn't move. As the man wobbled to his feet, Karl glanced over, blood streaming from his lip. He swiped at it.

"Hope? Get her out of here."

Hope looked from Karl to Robyn, clearly reluctant to leave him.

"N-no," Robyn said. "I-I'm okay. I'll – "

The man ran at Karl. They hit with a smack that echoed through the trees. Karl's fist connected with the man's jaw with an even louder thwack. The man howled in rage. His face – His face changed. Rippling. Contorting.

Robyn was wrenched backward, almost off her feet. She looked to see Hope clutching her arm, dragging her.

"Come on."

"No, Karl needs – "

"He doesn't need us."

When Robyn resisted, Hope heaved hard enough to make her stumble.

"He can't concentrate with us here."

One more backward glance at the fighting men, then Robyn let Hope lead her back to the path.