Nothing about him screamed threatening or supernatural. He looked…human. Then again, they’d hardly send some green-skinned lizard monster or a vampire with dripping, bloody fangs out into the heart of a tourist destination in broad daylight. Scarlett had seemed human until she’d jumped off that ledge. The thick crowds seemed to part before him, a subtle shift that let him eat up ground with long legs.
“He’s gaining on us,” Marley hissed.
“It will be all right,” said Ian.
She really wished she believed that.
He shifted, pulling something from his pocket and pressing it into her hand. Marley glanced down at the embossed silver disk. “I don’t understand.”
“Put it somewhere safe,” he ordered. “Keep it close. About a quarter mile up the strip, just past the Pancake Pantry, you’ll see a brick entrance for a little shopping center called The Village. You’re going to run to the back, past the fountain. Look for the spice shop. Inside you’re going to go to the back wall and use that key. Careful no one’s looking when you do. That will give you access to Levi’s shop in the back. Tell him I sent you and that I’m calling in the favor he owes me.”
“And what do you plan to be doing while I’m running?” she demanded.
“Buying you some time.”
“Are you crazy? You’re about to fall over. I’m not leaving you behind.” The grayish pallor of his skin made his eyes look bottomless and hollow.
“Marley, there’s no time to argue about this.” He tugged her into an entryway, out of the flow of traffic and pulled her close. “This is the best chance you’ve got.” The hand cupping her cheek seemed to grow hot, a sharp punch of heat that burst over her like a wave before soaking into her skin. She felt an odd little pull and swayed. “Ian?” The dam shattered and adrenaline dumped into her system as all the fear she’d been holding back broke free.
He shoved her into the flow of people. “Run!” he snapped.
For a long humming beat she stared at him.
“Run!”
Urgency beat in her blood, the song of the hunted as her body recognized itself as prey. Marley turned, her muscles coiled for flight, instinct demanding she do as he’d asked. From the corner of her eye she saw him slump against the wall.
“Ian!”
The Hunter noted it too, tipping his head in a strangely reptilian motion before swiveling his attention back to her and continuing his relentless pursuit.
Ian struggled upright, pushing away from the wall and stumbling back into the flow of people. What the hell was wrong with him? Was he sick? Poisoned? Under some kind of mental attack? Clearly he was in no shape to fight.
Panic was an electric current in her body. Marley fought to get past it, to look around and think.
Run.
She could all but hear Ian in her mind, feel his will pushing her to follow his orders. Eddies of people whirled around her as the Hunter prowled closer.
From the day they’d met, Ian had continually put himself between her and danger, done what he thought was right, regardless of her distrust or the difficulties presented. He hadn’t abandoned her, even when it would’ve made his life easier. She couldn’t abandon him. So Marley did the only thing she could think of.
She screamed.
All around her, people stopped what they were doing to stare. She’d wanted their
attention, and she had it. Leveling a finger at the Hunter she shouted, “Help me! This man’s trying to kidnap me! Help me, please!”
The Hunter’s jaw dropped open a little in surprise, and he pulled up short, his hands upraised in a non-threatening gesture, his face set in an expression of shock.
Marley began to edge toward Ian, still screaming. “Someone find the police! Arrest this guy!”
Across the street, a half dozen leather clad bikers shoved up from their seats at an outdoor restaurant and jumped over the wrought iron railing. They ran toward the Hunter, mouths drawn in grim lines. Marley saw the flash of brass knuckles, the glint of a knife as they rushed to surround him.
She took advantage of the resulting confusion and darted toward Ian. He reeled, weaving as he walked. She ducked under his arm to take some of his weight and direct his motions. As soon as his weight settled across her shoulders, the fear abated and she could think more clearly.
“You’re crazy,” he said.
“You’re sick or something. Come on.” She started to drag him further down the strip, toward The Village.