Page 87 of Coordinates of Death

They tumbled backward into the snow as two spiked branches attached to rope slammed together, the impact booming.

It was then that Aurora saw the tripwire fastened between the trees.

She clung to Kordell’s arm. “Thank the Lord you saw that. I missed it.”

He pulled her closer. “It’s okay. When I’m out in nature, it’s like all my senses come alive.”

“Good thing.” She eyed the contraption. “But why try to kill us when he wants us to play his game? Doesn’t make sense.”

Kordell scrambled to his feet and examined the spiked branches. “Doesn’t look like the weapon was meant to kill but to maim. Just like the shots onto the frozen lake the other day were just meant to taunt.” He crouched low, observing the layout of the land surrounding the trap. “Looks like we can proceed to the right.” He returned to Aurora’s side and extended his hand. “Need help getting out of the snow, my lady?”

She chuckled. “Why yes, my knight.” She reached up, and he tugged her upright, but her foot slipped, sending her downward. He grabbed her around the waist, bringing her into a tight embrace.

Kordell’s muscular hold not only warmed her insides but surrounded her in a protection she never wanted to let go. But she must. Candace and Sweetwood Falls depended on her to catch the Shadow Box Killer. No matter how much she longed for happiness, her commitment to her town right now took precedence.

She retreated from his hug. “Thanks for catching me. Let’s keep moving.”

“Let me go first. We’re in my element now.” Kordell checked the trees on the right before stepping through.

Aurora followed, and two hours later, they emerged from the forest into a tiny clearing.

“Looks like that’s where we’re headed.” Kordell pointed. “I wouldn’t exactly call that a mansion, though.”

Dread wrenched Aurora’s stomach.

A decrepit small building with a single turret lay nestled among overgrown weeds and bushes, reminding her of the so-called haunted house she had passed every day on her way to school.

The house where she had been brutally raped by two teenage boys.

Her chest tightened as white spots flickered in her line of vision. She leaned heavily against a nearby tree to steady herself. Breathe, Rory.

“What’s wrong?”

Aurora closed her eyes, taking longer inhales and exhales, slowing her heart rate. She opened her eyes, the spots gradually dissipating.

“Aurora?” Kordell whipped off his glove and placed his fingers on her neck. “Your heart is racing. You’re having a panic attack. Sit.” He helped her sit in the snow, her back against the tree trunk.

Kordell squatted in front of her. “Breathe with me. Inhale.” He exaggerated his breath.

She obeyed, mimicking his technique until her pulse returned to normal. “Thank you. I’m good now.”

“Let me be the judge of that.” He placed his fingers on her wrist.

She remained still as he took her vitals.

“Okay, your beat is back to normal. What happened?”

Aurora pointed to the mansion. “Does that remind you of the haunted house on the way to school when we were kids? Even the gargoyles on both sides of the entrance match.”

Kordell’s eyes widened. “It does. Kind of.”

She had to explain herself before he asked. “That place scared me as a kid, so it just took me back to a time I wanted to forget.” True statement—only, she’d left out a portion of her story.

He nodded, biting his lip and averting his gaze. But the pinched expression faded as quickly as it came.

Interesting. Something about the house also bothered him.

“Do you want to retreat?” he asked.