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DRAKE WAS FIRST up the trail He was li badly bruised by his fall

Jack was just behind him

Drake liathered around their intended kill One of the coyotes, a creature with bright eyes and an al

Dekka was pinioned, helpless If she was conscious, she showed no sign of it But she was still alive Jack could see that she was still alive And that in a few seconds, less, she wouldn’t be

“Don’t worry, h “I’m not here to stop you”

Drake looked down and shook his head ood I don’t think this is going to end well for you” Then he looked back at Jack and said, “So ht, Jack?”

It was a warning A threat But Jack didn’t care He was sick So sick, so sick deep down inside He wanted to throw up, but there was nothing in his stoht But Drake or Caine or the coyotes would come for him

Why was he here?

Because you’re a stupid fool, Jack told himself Smart stupid Stupid smart

“Just a little farther,” Drake cried from up ahead “Come meet him, Jack”

Jack stopped and looked back He saw the fuel rod first Floating along Then Caine beneath it Caine seeht on his shoulders Like it was almost too much for him

Jack felt as if a weight were pressing down on hiht that wanted to squeeze the blood from hi down his face, although he didn’t re

For all his supernatural strength, Jack felt as if his arth as he fought against his own paralyzing fear and horror

Too much All of it Brittney, poor Brittney And now Dekka How many more would end up like them? And what about Jack himself?

Jack didn’t think about what he was doing when he grabbed the nearest coyote by the scruff of its neck The coyote yelped and tried to twist around to bite hiht