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Though her thoughts had been focused upon Devon during training, she found all of her doubts, worries, and concernstook over as adrenaline coursed through her, and anticipation for the fight consu in a headlong charge Chris braced hie out of the way as the ht hold of hi vaered forward beneath the force of Chris’s blow Though he was off balance, and caught by surprise, he was still hungry, and volatile His reddened eyes latched upon Cassie, his lips pulled back in a snarl as he caught scent of what he thought would be the easier prey

Cassie grinned at hi to rid herself of her pent up, frustrated energy It snarled as it lunged at her, its hands curled into claws as it ai was stupid that was for sure It did not stop to think that it ht be outnumbered and that a retreat should be considered Instead, all it could think about was blood and feeding, and destroying life

It launched itself at her, leaping into the air, its hands outstretched as it looked to devour her Thrusting her hand up, she used the palm of her hand to smash upward His head snapped back, his blood red eyes rolled back in his head as his teeth bit into his chin Blood spilled down his face, but he did not completely slow in his rush He seized hold of her ared her eagerly forward

She did not panic, did not even feel a spurt of fear as his lips pulled back His fetid breath washed over her, causing her gag reflex to react instantly Lifting her leg, she slaroin He howled as he bent over, the pain finally breaking through his bloodlust as he released her Fisting her hands, she drove the him to his knees

The attack was so fast that Chris, Melissa, and Luther had not had a chance to react Now they et off his knees He stu the stake deep into its back, the creature grunted in surprise as Chris twisted it deeper and harder

Cassie winced, trying to turn off her guilt as the creature h her as it er red, but a soft brown They pleaded for iven in this situation Cassie sed heavily; rebefore them She should not feel remorseful; he would have killed her instantly if he’d had the chance It was survival of the fittest after all, and luckily this time they had been the fittest

But as they moved the body into the woods she couldn’t stop herself fro that before he had become a monster, he had been someone’s son, maybe even someone’s brother or husband She could not stand to think about the hurt that his fah Could not stand to think about the fear and pain the man had probably suffered before he had been killed the first ti to rid herself of the lingering re to her She had to shake them off, had to lose them It would eat her alive if she didn’t She could never allow herself to gliain She couldn’t do this anymore if she was unable to separate the two, and if she didn’t do this than people would die

Cassie shuddered, she felt hollow and shattered She desperately needed to see Devon; she knew that only he could ease the aching coldness per her bones Even if he couldn’t know about this aspect of her life, he could help to ease the choking loneliness and guilt clinging to her

She sighed heavily, now that they were done all she wanted was to escape the cemetery and return home as soon as possible

A chill shot down her spine, the hair on the nape of her neck and arms stood on end Fear and disbelief crossed Chris and Melissa’s faces as they turned slowly toward the area where the evil suddenly seeped from Turned toward the area where they had just left the body of the defeated young man

Luther stepped closer to thereed "Let’s go We need to get you out of here Now!" he snapped, when none of theht away

"Why doesn’t it just come after us?" Cassie asked softly

"I don’t know, but let’s not teed fervently, pushing at Chris and Melissa as his gaze worriedly scanned the forest

Cassie’s eyes narrowed as she stared hard into the shadowy interior She could make out the different el hidden ast the trees Not even an animal stirred, apparently scared away by the evil in their ?" Chris asked softly

Cassie shook her head; frustration caused her hands to fist "We need to go!" Luther hissed

Though Cassie did not want to turn tail and run fro swiftly along as they hurried toward Luther’s Toyota Caaze instantly turned back to theShe half expected to see it standing at the , its face twisted into a hideous snarl, ready to pounce, eager to slaughter theht beyond, she tried to pick out as many details as she could Cassie’s teeth rattled as ice encased her once h Luther started the car, they did not move She felt pinned beneath the wave of hostility andwith us," Chris said softly

Cassie turned slowly toward him, shocked by the paleness of his complexion, and the hollowness his cheeks and eyes had taken on "Chris?" she asked worriedly

His hand trembled as he lifted it toward her He desperately needed to touch her, to connect with so his ability He was shaking when he clasped hold of her hand, his fingers dug tightly into hers His shoulders heaved as he inhaled a sharp breath He looked sickly in the glow of the dashboard lights

"Chris, what is wrong?" she de around her heart She had never seen hiruff voice