Page 45 of Ashborne Forged

This would be fun.

~ VOSKI ~

I cursed to myself when she sensed me, and darted around a tree, pausing only to make certain she still faced the position I’d been in, then began to creep around to get behind her, smiling when I felt her in the bond.

Clever girl. But not as adept with the bond as I was. Stifling it as much as I could, I knew I wouldn’t stop her sensing me, but the sensation would broaden and fade. She’d struggle to find me with it.

Moments later, her voice rose, echoing through the trees. “I know you’re here! I can feel your eyes on me.”

And then I reached for her mind, pressing harder, having to speak louder than I would with Kham. ‘I like having my eyes on you.’

I knew she’d heard me when she whirled.

Carefully, using all my skill, I watched her through holes in the bushes, keeping myself at her back at all times, so I could watch her without her seeing me.

“Come out!” she called, but I could hear the smile in her tone.

Shaking my head, I remained at her back, but slipped deeper into the trees. She didn’t yet understand.

Moments later, she stopped turning, searching and tipped her head. “No,” she murmured. “You like to give orders, not take them.”

Whether she intended for me to hear the words or not was unclear.

But I smiled.

And even on profile, saw her cheeks stretch to reflect the same.

God, I wanted her.

“You feel like a predator,” she said breathlessly, quietly. I had to strain to hear her.

‘Do you feel like prey?’ I sent, crouching when she began to back toward me. ‘Because you are.’

She sucked in a breath and whirled, poised to run directly toward me—then her eyes flew wide and she slid to a halt as our gazes locked.

I smiled, then sank deeper into the dark so she wouldn’t see me. She’d begun to back away, already smiling, the bond thrumming with need, and anticipation. I balled my fists as my heart slammed in my chest.

‘Grace… run.’

With a little squeak, she bolted, and I was after her like a dog on scent.

She was swift, and silent on her feet—but ruined it by laughing. Tittering, giggling, scrambling through the forest offering me a trail that didn’t require line of sight.

I smiled and moved around her, herding her, though she didn’t know it.

Because this was our first hunt. And I wanted to savor it.

“Hide and seek!” she called over her shoulder, then dodged off the trail and into the trees. “And tag! Right?”

I swallowed a chuckle. ‘You’re it,’ I sent, my body thrilling when a rush of anticipation and desire washed through the bond.

15. You’re It

SOUNDTRACK: If it Doesn’t Hurt by Nothing More

~ GRACE ~

The moment he leaped from the bushes, I shrieked and darted away—just in time. His fingers brushed my upper arm when I dodged. I needed to stop laughing, but struggled, gasping and sniggering as I sprinted away, his curses of frustration peppering the air behind me. And it brought such a rush of joy, tears pricked my eyes.