Was this what my mother disagreed with? What led her to turn her back on the organization and people that she’d been raised by?
Sighing, I dismissed the questions and focused on my more immediate problem—the bracelet. If I showed Gloria, would she know what it was, and would she be willing to help me?
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I glanced at the time. Javi would be back with the others soon and who knew how long before Tío ordered me to return. I didn’t have much time.
A red-haired guy came to my table with my water and a mug of tea. “Gloria’s special tea. She said to tell you it will help with the nightmares.”
My eyebrows shot up. How did she know?
“Thanks,” I murmured.
He shrugged. “She also said the shrimp was on her. Anything else?”
My heart sank as I realized I wouldn’t be able to talk to Gloria any time soon. I’d just have to figure something out on my own.
The shrimp was as amazing as ever and I stuffed myself with so many fries, I could barely move afterward. I didn’t see Gloria again to thank her for the free food, but promised the server I’d bring back a tip for him next time.
I didn’t see Grayson as I left the shack, and I felt stupid for looking. Darkness enveloped me as I stepped outside, the air making me shiver. Moonlight sparkled on the black water in the distance. As beautiful as it was, it was too cold for me to linger any longer. I waited for a car to pass by before making my way back toward the campus. My phone buzzed. I opened it to check for messages.
It was Javi. They’d made it back and discovered me gone. I typed out a reply, assuring him I was on my way and not to let his dad zap me. The silver of my bracelet glinted in the dark. I crossed the street and sighed as I started the walk that would lead me to the front gate.
A shuffling in the bushes caught my ear. My head snapped in the direction, eyes squinting in the dark. I couldn’t make anything out. I shrugged it off.
Probably an animal.
More rustling came from behind me. I swallowed hard. A big animal.
I whipped around, heart pounding as I pulled out my phone for light. The hair on my neck bristled. Something was out there. Something was watching me.
The light from my phone illuminated the sand and brush. My heart raced. Nothing was there, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone or something was following me.
In the distance, the waves crashed, but everything around me grew deadly quiet. I backed up slowly, scanning the sandy path.
Movement to my right caught my attention. I turned, shining the light toward it. Two bright yellow eyes blinked and disappeared.
I almost dropped my phone. What was it?
Fear rushed through me. A shifter? Manny?
Not wasting another second, I ran for the gatehouse, trying to dial Javi as I did. A shadowy figure appeared ahead, blocking my path. The same yellow cat-like eyes appeared again.
My heart slammed against my ribcage. There was no way I’d make it past or back to the shack in time. A tremor ran through me. What did I do?
“Hello?” Javi’s voice echoed.
I put the phone to my ear. “They found me. Something is after me.” My voice was breathless.
The mysterious eyes narrowed.
“Shit. Where are you? Where are you, Rose?” Javi’s words were distorted and urgent.
“Near the gatehouse.”
“I’m coming. Don’t… I’m coming. Stay on the line.”
I shuddered. There was no way he would make it to me in time.
“They’re coming. The GRIMMs are coming,” I shouted.
Fear ran through me. What was it waiting for?
Holding my phone up, I tried to illuminate my stalker.
It was gone.
Panic swelled inside me. Where did it go? I swept my light around the empty path, heart racing. Did it leave?
A blur moved toward me at lightning speed. Something big and solid collided with me, knocking me onto my back. The phone dropped out of my grasp, plunging me into darkness.
“Rose? Rose?” Javi’s desperate voice called from it.
Yellow eyes stared into mine. Moonlight shone off the distorted figure. Not quite human, but not quite animal, either, but something in between. It snarled, revealing its fangs, hot breath on my face.
A scream tore from my throat.
My body shifted into survivor mode, my arms and legs flailing. I slammed my fist into its jaw, trying with all my might to get it off. It roared, the sound ear piercing and striking my every nerve.
It swiped a claw across my stomach, nails digging into flesh. I screamed, the pain immediate and burning.
A gun shot rang out. The shifter’s giant body jolted and leapt away from me. I gasped and struggled to sit up, its weight now off me.
Pain erupted as I moved. More gunfire rang out. Voices shouted. Javi? A firm grip landed on my shoulder, making me scream.
“It’s okay. It’s okay. It’s just me.” Came a masculine voice.
I blinked into the darkness. A flashlight shone on my stomach.
“It’s not too bad. Not too deep. Let’s get you to the nurse.”
Strong arms helped me to my feet, the light from the flashlight bounced, revealing a group of people running toward us.
“Rose!” Javi’s voice called out among them.
I glanced back at my savior. Grayson. My eyes widened in surprise.
“I’m here. I’m okay.” I turned back to face the others.
Light shone all around us. My cousin, Tío, and two guards came forward, all bearing guns and flashlights. A light flicked to Grayson, who was still holding me up, I realized.
My cheeks flamed as I moved away from him. Dizziness swept over me, making me stumble.
Everyone rushed toward me at once.
I held up a hand. “I’m fine. The shifter?” I looked back at Grayson.
He shook his head. “Gone.”
Tío Javier advanced on him. “What do you mean gone? Why didn’t you
