02 Hunted - The Chosen

by Denise Grover Swank

  “Get her,” the man with the pipe said. One of the men rushed past Will.

  “Goddamn it, Emma! RUN!” Will lunged for the man’s legs and they hit the pavement.

  She bolted down the street toward the crowd of people, two of the men in pursuit. Struggling to keep her sandals on her feet, she kicked them off. The warm asphalt was rough on her bare soles as she sprinted toward the crowd. The move had slowed her down, but she hoped to make up for it with the speed she gained.

  The street ahead had been blocked off. A rock band played at one end. Emma ran past a barricade and into the throng, pushing her way past people dancing in the street. She collided with a woman who held a cup above her head. The drink spilled over both of them.

  “Hey!” the young woman shouted.

  “Sorry,” Emma mumbled, looking over her shoulder. The men were gaining on her.

  She pushed on, her lungs burning and her nearly healed leg aching. She ran to the sidewalk, the crush of bodies slowing her down, fueling her rising hysteria. She looked back to see one of the men collide with a woman. The woman’s date came to her defense, but Emma’s pursuer shoved him easily to the side. The encounter bought her about thirty additional feet. The second man had disappeared.

  Emma turned left onto a cross street, running blindly. Think, Emma. Think. An alley opened to her left. She cast a glance over her shoulder. Neither man was behind her, so she ran into darkness, sprinting for a trash dumpster halfway down. She ducked behind it and turned to see a man standing in the middle of the alley entrance.

  She pressed her back against the brick wall, the stench of rotten food and urine making her gag. Her breath came in shallow pants as she heard the dull thud of his shoes move closer.

  Her options were to hide here or run, and neither was good. There was a chance he hadn’t seen her. The alley was dark and she’d rounded the corner of the dumpster when she saw him. But if he had seen her, she was sure she couldn’t outrun him. Sucking in her breath, she tried to squeeze behind the metal dumpster. If she could get behind it, he might not find her and even if he did, she might be able to get out the other side and run.

  “Emma,” the man called. “Olly, olly oxen free.”

  She choked on her terror and shoved her hip into the opening between the wall and the metal bin. The space was too narrow and her side lodged in the tight space.

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” he sing-songed. “Come out like a good girl.”

  She stuffed down the rising hysteria and tried to break free from the crack.

  A body stood at the corner of the bin, shrouded in darkness. “There you are.” His voice was deceptively sweet.

  The pendant in her pocket burned, shooting an electrical current throughout her body.

  His hand gripped her arm, jerking her free. Emma remembered Will using the keys as a weapon. She gripped them in her fist and swung toward his face, grinding the ends into his cheek and dragging down with all her strength. Instead of letting go, his grip tightened and he swung at her face with his free hand. The impact caught her on the cheek, swamping her head with an invading blackness. Fury built in her chest, replacing her fear. She’d be damned if she passed out and just let this bastard take her.

  The burning in her leg became unbearable as she shot a knee to his groin, with more power than she knew she had. His hold loosened as he fell to the ground, curling into a ball with a moan.

  Emma tore down the alley to the street and turned the corner, not stopping to see if he was after her. The fact that she was running farther away from Will ate her resolve.

  An outdoor cafe lay ahead with people dancing on the sidewalk. She raced for it, hoping to get lost in the crowd. Almost there, she stepped on a rock, sending a shooting pain through her bare foot. She stumbled in pain, tears burning her eyes. She couldn’t afford to stop now.

  Turning to look over her shoulder, she saw the man stop at the street corner, searching for her. A crowd of people stood in front of the cafe. If she could get inside, she might lose him, but she doubted that she’d make it before he caught up.

  “In trouble again, already?” she heard a man ask. “That didn’t take long.”

  Emma looked down at the table next to her, shocked to see the man from the bar the night before in Joplin. He sat alone, with a half-empty plate of food in front of him.

  She froze. Her pursuer was headed in her direction.

  The man at the table glanced down the street and stood. “Is he after you?”

  She nodded.

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the dancers, standing at the edge in the shadows. “Play along.” He swung her around into his arms, drawing her body flush against his. Emma, too surprised and scared to protest, let him. Her brain turned fuzzy. He turned his head slightly to check on the man’s progress. He was shorter than Will, his face almost even with hers. His dark eyes pierced hers as he said, “Sorry for this.”

  He put his hand behind her head and pulled her mouth to his. It was for show, she instinctively knew this as his body swayed to the music, pressing her close with the arm he wrapped around her back. His attention remained on the man chasing her. She saw the man pause and search the crowd. The man who held her turned her slightly, moving his back to her pursuer. He deepened the kiss, his tongue gliding over her lips, searching for hers. She wrapped her arms around his back, clinging to him as her body responded, heat rising from her core and melting her from the inside out.

  He pulled back and turned slightly, making sure the man had moved on. He held her close, still swaying to the music, his desire for her evident. The knowledge sent her head reeling. “I believe you now owe me your name.” His voice was seductive in her ear, his breath sending shivers down her back.

  “Emma.”

  “Emma,” he murmured, her name sounding lyrical on his tongue. He held her tight, his face hovering next hers, his breath fanning her cheek. Her body screamed in anticipation, as though she had no will of her own. His eyes locked onto hers, mesmerizing her. “Whatever happened to that boyfriend of yours?”

  Oh, my God. Will.

  Emma’s breath sucked in and she stumbled backward, out of his embrace. She tripped on something and he grabbed her elbow to keep her from falling.

  “I won’t tell him what just happened, that is, if he exists,” he said, righting her. “But I’m guessing from your reaction that he does.”

  “I have to get back to him. He was fighting off the men who attacked us.” She heard the panic in her voice even though her body seemed slow to catch up.

  He led her to his table, pulled out his wallet, and threw some cash by his plate. “Which way?”

  She blinked in surprise.

  “I didn’t just save you to let you get into trouble again. Where is he?”

  Emma hesitated. Leading this man to Will seemed like a very bad idea.

  “You’re wasting time. I’m going with you, like it or not.”

  She started walking. “This way.”

  They hurried down the street in silence. Emma wrestled with her response to the man next to her. What the hell had just happened? It was like her body had a will of its own.

  “Where are your shoes?” he asked.

  “None of your business.” She worried about Will’s reaction when he saw him.

  “You never asked my name.”

  “What?”

  “Raphael, my name is Raphael.”

  She ignored him and kept walking.

  “You didn’t do anything wrong, you know. You were only hiding from that man. It was only an act.”

  Emma knew what she experienced was more than just an act. The fact the she was so easily turned on by this man scared the shit out of her.

  A wave of pain swept through her side and she wobbled, confused. She realized it was Will. When she was held captive in the Vinco Potentia compound, she and Will had shared a psychic link. But they had tried it since and it never worked so this caught her by surprise. She stood still, concentrati
ng. Will, she called out to him.

  “Are you okay?” Raphael asked.

  “Shh!” She scrunched her eyes shut. Will? He didn’t respond, but she knew he was in tremendous agony. She took off running, Raphael behind her.

  “What happened?”

  “He’s hurt. I have to get to him.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “I just do.”

  They reached the end of the block and peered around the corner. Emma’s car was close to the corner of the building. Will was a row over, his face covered in blood. He stood hunched over in front of the leader. Shadows edged the perimeter.

  Emma gasped. “Will.”

  “Do you have a plan?” Raphael asked, standing out in the open.

  “No.”

  He found a three-foot length of wood against the building. “You go get your car. I’ll take care of the guy attacking your boyfriend. When it’s safe, we’ll load him into the front seat.”

  “What about you?”

  “Don’t worry. I can take care of myself. Stay behind me and wait for my signal.”

  Emma was thankful she still held the keys in her hand, opening her fist to reveal gashes where she’d gripped them so tightly. She followed Raphael as he walked into the parking lot. He sauntered toward the men, carrying the board, arrogance in his stride.

  Emma stopped at the car and watched, terrified. Will took jagged breaths and struggled to stand upright.

  “Can I join in?” Raphael asked.

  The leader was now weaponless. He was battered and bloody but in better shape than Will. The other man lay motionless on the ground.

  Will saw Raphael approach and tried to straighten.

  Raphael held up a flattened palm toward Will. “I am here to help you.”

  Will fell back to his knees.

  The attacker turned to Raphael and smiled as he moved to pick up his pipe off the ground. Raphael circled, holding his board out at his side. The other man lunged, raising the pipe and swinging down toward Raphael’s head. He raised the board and blocked the blow. The crack of splintering wood filled the air. Raphael reached up with his other hand and grabbed the pipe then twisted his body around, bringing the weapon with him.

  The leader hesitated for a half second, long enough for Raphael to kick him in the chest. He fell back, landing on the hood of a car. Raphael twirled the pipe expertly in his hand slamming it down on the hood inches from the man’s head. He tried to get up, but Raphael kicked him again, knocking him back into the hood. Raphael brought the pipe down on the hood on the other side. His eyes looked murderous.

  “Emma, bring the car now,” Raphael said, his gaze never leaving the man.

  Will grabbed his side and tried to stand, spitting blood onto the ground.

  Emma inserted the keys into the ignition, her hands shaking so badly it took several attempts. She pulled forward through a gap between two cars in the row ahead. Raphael continued striking the hood, keeping the leader contained. She got out and started toward Will.

  “Emma, stay where you are.” Raphael said, still facing the man.

  Will staggered and fell to his knees.

  Emma knew that Will, even as injured as he was, worried more about her than himself.

  “Did you plan to hurt the lady?” Raphael asked with a growl.

  The man on the hood looked up, his eyes wild. “No, man, we were just supposed to scare her.”

  Raphael swung the pipe into the man’s legs. “Wrong answer.”

  The leader screamed in pain, his legs buckling. “Dude, I swear!”

  Raphael paused and studied him before he hissed. “Transi per umbras.” He swung the pipe like a baseball bat against the man’s head. Emma twisted her face away as the sound of a splitting melon filled the air. She gagged, almost vomiting.

  “Emma, you may get your boyfriend now.”

  Emma sucked in a breath through her mouth as she ran to Will, holding back her sobs and her fear. Neither would help right now. He looked up at her, blinking the blood out of his eyes. One eye was already swelling shut. His lip was split. He had a gash on his forehead.

  “Will.” She reached for his arm and tried to lift him off his knees.

  He moaned with the movement. Raphael reached down and slung Will’s arm over his shoulder. “Emma, open the car door and I’ll help you get him into the car.”

  Will glared at Raphael. “Who the fuck are you?”

  “Will, he’s a friend. He helped me hide. We can trust him.” It’s me you can’t trust.

  Raphael lifted Will’s body as Will cried out with the movement.

  “I’m sorry, my friend,” Raphael said as he lowered Will onto the seat and closed the door. Raphael picked up Will’s bag out of the street and carried it to the car.

  Emma opened the trunk and Raphael tossed it in. As he slammed the lid shut, she turned to get in the car.

  “Emma, wait.” Raphael touched her shoulder. She spun to face him.

  “Emma, when you leave here, drive and don’t stop.” His voice was low and insistent. “I know you want to get help for your boyfriend, but there are men searching for you. You must get far away from here.”

  Her eyes widened in alarm. “How do you know?”

  “Trust me, I know.” He lowered his voice. “You need to know that your boyfriend has significant injuries.”

  Her tears fell and Raphael wiped one off her cheek. “Don’t worry, he’ll recover. But listen to me.” His eyes pierced hers and she felt herself becoming lost, forgetting all sense of where she was. “Emma, you can help him. You have power that you don’t even realize. Find your power and you can heal him. Use the pendant. Now go.” He led her to the driver’s door. His eyes held hers, dark and captivating. To her dismay, the familiar heat spread throughout her body. Raphael leaned into her ear, brushing her cheek against his lips. “Not yet, my love. But, soon. Soon I will come for you.”

  He turned and walked down the street, into the darkness.

  Chapter Nine

  Emma’s hands trembled as she pulled out of the parking lot, her thoughts spinning in a vortex as she tried to figure out what just happened with Raphael. How could she react to him that way?

  “Who the hell was that?” Will slurred, his head slumped toward her.

  Her face burned with shame, making her grateful for the darkness. “He was someone who helped me. Helped us.” She turned down the street and she tried to remember where the highway was.

  “What did he say to you just now?” His words rushed out in a gasp of pain.

  “Will, you shouldn’t talk. You’re hurt.”

  “Emma, what did he say?” He coughed from the exertion, then tensed with a moan.

  “Will, please. He didn’t say anything. He told me to take you far from here. He said he thought you were really hurt.” Where was the highway? She parked at a stop sign, her fingers numb from gripping the steering wheel so tight.

  “Did he touch you?” He coughed again, then doubled over in pain.

  “Will, stop!” She turned to look at him, fear constricting her chest as she watched him spit blood onto his lap. “I need to take you to a hospital.” Her voice shook.

  “No. He was right,” he said in a defeated tone. “You have to get far away from here.” His body sagged in the seat.

  Emma held back her sobs, tears streaming down her face. Where was the highway?

  “I saw him get too close to you.”

  “Will, stop. Just stop. Nothing happened.” So, she now was a slut and a liar. She not only made out with Raphael while Will got the shit beaten out of him, she also would have done it with Will watching in the car. What the hell is wrong with me? Hysteria bubbled below the surface.

  She drove several blocks, lost. “Where is the fucking highway?” She had to get Will out of here before they got caught. Sobs erupted, despite her intentions to hold them in.

  “Emma.”

  She braked at another stop sign, searching for any signs for the interstate.
>
  “Emma.”

  She turned to look at him, gasping at the sight of his battered body. She did that to him. She didn’t beat him up herself, but she might as well have. He had the shit beat out of him because people wanted her. And she repaid him by jumping the first guy that came along. Her sobs intensified.

  “Emma. It’s okay. I’m okay. Shh... stop crying.”

  ***

  Will lay in the seat, pain deluging his body with every movement. He was sure he had broken ribs from that goddamned metal pipe. He was lucky that was all that was broken, other than his ego.

  He’d seen the way that man had talked to Emma. The way he said her name with such familiarity. The way he leaned close to her before she got into the car.

  The way Emma didn’t push him away.

  The fact that if Will had tried to get that close to her when they first met she would have slapped him wasn’t lost on him.

  Emma was beside herself with agony, sobbing so uncontrollably that Will worried she would have an accident. He knew she was upset over him, but he suspected there was more, something else she wasn’t telling him. He groaned in frustration and a sharp pain shot through his chest.

  When Emma heard his gasp, she cried harder.

  Maybe he was reading too much into it. “Emma, it’s okay. Turn left up here.” The entrance ramp to the highway came into view.

  “Which… way?” She fought for breath through her hiccups.

  Which way? He couldn’t protect her in this condition. He didn’t even protect her just now, some other guy did. His gut burned in fury. He was lucky she wasn’t hurt or dead. He still had to find Jake and get answers about what all this fucking shit meant. He couldn’t do that while worrying about her. She needed protection. He couldn’t get the answers and protect her at the same time. He needed help.

  “Go north.”

  Her mouth dropped open in surprise. “North? But Jake was in Arizona and the Vinco Potentia is north.”

  “My friend James lives in Minnesota,” he gasped for breath as pain stabbed his side. “He’ll help us.”

  Her eyes widened. “Can we trust him?”