I moved instinctively, my body reacting faster than my mind could process.
I dodged his strike, his knife sliced through the air where my throat had been seconds earlier.
The alley exploded into chaos.
I fought like I had as a hunter, relying on muscle memory and training.
But this body, this new body, was different. Stronger. Faster.
I landed a punch that sent him staggering back, the force of it shocking even me.
“You’ve got some bite,” he admitted, wiping blood from his split lip. “But you’re still not good enough to go toe-to-toe with me.”
He lunged again, and this time I wasn’t quick enough. His knife raked across my side, tearing through fabric and flesh.
Pain flared, sharp and blinding, but it only fueled my anger.
I lashed out, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him into the cold brick wall. The impact sent a shudder through my body, but I didn’t care.
My grip tightened, fingers digging into his skin.
His eyes widened for a moment. He clawed at my wrist, trying in vain to loosen my hold.
“Who are you? Who sent you?” I growled out.
I needed answers, and I wasn’t going to let this bastard breathe until I got them.
A cruel smile curled at the edges of his lips. His eyes gleamed with something darker, something I couldn't quite read at first.
But then his smile widened, and I felt a cold shiver crawl up my spine.
“You think I answer to anyone?” he sneered, his voice hoarse from the pressure on his throat. “You’re just another loose end. And I clean up loose ends.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut, but before I could react, I felt the shift. One moment, I was in control, holding him against the wall with all the strength I had left.
The next, his knees buckled slightly, and in a blur of motion, his hand shot up and grabbed my wrist with a vice-like grip.
He twisted, using his free hand to shove me hard against the wall.
I didn’t expect the sudden force, and the impact made me gasp.
Before I could recover, his body pressed against mine, pinning me in place, and the world seemed to spin.
“Did you really think you can best me?” he asked.
His grip on my wrist tightened until my bones screamed in protest.
I tried to shove him off, but the movement felt sluggish.
His weight on me was like iron and I felt vulnerable. His knee dug into my stomach, and I winced. My other arm struggled to break free, but it was useless.
“Struggling’s pointless,” he said.
I felt his cold fingers at my throat, just as I had done to him moments ago.
CHAPTER TWENTY
GAEL
