Uninvited (Uninvited, #1)(72)

The man moves stealthily, obviously an expert at moving undetected. When he’s as close as he’s going to get, about six feet across from us, I drop my hand. We tear through our copse of trees.

I see a flash of his startled face the second before he turns to run. Richard is fast, tackling him to the ground with a loud grunt.

They struggle. The target stuns Richard with a solid blow to the face that sends Richard into a rage. Like some trigger has been pulled, he starts hitting him wildly. The target tucks himself into a tight ball, his hands shielding his head, pleading, his words gibberish.

“Richard, stop.” I pull the gasping boy back. Richard glares down at him, his look murderous. Easily evidence of his HTS—or that his being here, training with a bunch of older, rougher kids, is making an impression. If you don’t have any violent tendencies, chances are you’ll definitely leave here fully conditioned with them.

“It’s just a game,” I remind him in what I hope is a soothing voice.

Felix snatches the rope from my hands and works quickly to bind the target’s arms. He wraps his upper body in the rope, trapping his arms at his sides and leaving a couple feet of rope for us to lead the prisoner—like a leash.

“C’mon.” Felix rises and tugs him to his feet. “The sooner we get back to camp, the sooner—”

He never finishes his sentence. Another team bursts through the trees and forms a tight circle around us.

My skin pulls, awash with a thousand needle pricks as Jackson steps to the front of three others, two boys and Addy. A slow smile curls his lips. “And you even gift wrapped him for us. How thoughtful.”

Richard steps in front of the target. “He’s ours.”

Jackson turns his smile on Richard and tries to ruffle his hair. The kid knocks his hand away. “Nice try, but sorry. We’re taking him.”

“No,” I announce grimly.

Jackson’s smile thins but doesn’t evaporate entirely. “Are you going to fight me on this, Davy?” His gaze slides over me. “That could be fun.”

“Yeah,” Addy seconds. Even in this lighting, the pit marks and acne on her face stand out starkly. “That could be real fun.”

My breath falls faster, chest rising with anger. Heat creeps over my face as I stare at the shadowy faces of Jackson and Addy. They’re the same, I realize. Cut from the same cloth. They both think they can do whatever they want—to whomever they want. “We caught him.”

“And I’m taking him.”

Jackson steps past me, reaching for the rope. Before I can even think about what I’m doing, I press the knife against his neck, just below his ear. It’s a reflex. Like the way your leg jumps when your knee is hit just so. Even though it feels as natural as breathing, shock ripples along my every nerve that this is me. That I’m the one holding a knife to someone’s neck.

He freezes even as Addy and the other two boys surge forward. I press the tip deeper.

“Stop,” he bites out at them.

I flick them all a glance, satisfied none look ready to ignore his command.

Without turning to look at me, Jackson asks softly, “What are you doing, Davy?”

“Taking what’s ours.”

“You won’t. You don’t have the nerve—”

And maybe he’s right, but I say, “Want to test me? It’s only your throat.”

“You’ll regret this,” he growls, neck stretched tight against the prick of my knife. But he doesn’t call my bluff. He doesn’t doubt me. And I guess no one would. No one does. Not here. Not among carriers.

Angling my head, I look back at the other three, my gaze lingering the longest on Addy, sensing she’s the most dangerous. “Sit down. On the ground. All of you,” I bark, making certain my voice rings with force.

They lower to the ground. I look at Richard. “Tie them up.”

Eager to comply, he jumps to the task, smiling gleefully. “Make sure you bind them tight. I don’t want them getting free.”

I look at Felix. He stares at me with wide eyes. I jerk my head at Jackson. “Him, too.”

Nodding, Felix steps forward.

“You’ll regret this,” Addy snarls as her thick arms are bound.

“Make it tight,” I instruct, ignoring her. “Don’t want him getting loose.”

Once Felix ties his hands with the rope, I ease the tip of the knife off his neck.

Jackson’s eyes gleam at me in the gloom. “You’re so smart,” he murmurs as Felix forces him to the ground and starts tying his legs. “Right now, you’ve won. But what are you going to do when I’m free?”

I squat down and tap the knife to his nose. Maybe I shouldn’t toy with him, but it feels so good to have the upper hand, even as his eyes flash murder. “I’m not worried about that.” Not the truth entirely. But since I got to this place, all I’ve done is worry. I’ve been looking over my shoulder ever since Pollock showed up at my house. It’s nothing new. Just another layer to my anxiety. To the constant fear. “I can take care of myself.” I smile and eye his ropes. “Clearly.”

He doesn’t even wear the phony smile. It’s like that has been cast aside for good. His lip curls over his teeth. “You won’t see me coming.”