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“Call me if you need me.”

I smiled and waved as Maya backed out of the parking space, turning toward the ramp leading to the lower floors.

Opening my texts, I sent a message to the guys.

Rae:

On my way home.

I’d texted the group chat Zeke created to tell them to eat dinner without me. He asked where I’d be, but I didn’t tell them.

It wasn’t like they knew anything about this area, anyway. My work was easy to find, but the restaurant Shane chose wasn’t near the mall, and the garage wasn’t connected.

Tucking my phone into my purse, I looped the strap across my chest and crossed the dimly lit upper floor.

I’d worn a garnet miniskirt with black tights, so the cool night air felt nice against my legs. The breeze moved through the open space, the only other sound besides my boots thumping against the concrete.

I tried to ignore the unease prodding at the back of my mind as I headed for the elevator on the far side of the lot. Even a car horn from the lot below, cutting through the eerie silence, didn’t shake the tension coiling in me.

Passing the next ramp leading down, I heard it. A soft clicking sound followed by a low, guttural growl lifted the hair on the back of my neck and stopped me cold.

While I couldn’t see them, I knew infernals had found me.

My pulse kicked up as I tightened my grip on my purse strap.

I knew they were there watching me. I didn’t know if they were the same ones from Grandma’s funeral or a different kind lurking in the shadows of parked cars.

I hated fearing them. After so many years, I’d grown used to their presence, convincing myself they weren’t even real. But after the funeral, I knew I couldn’t act blasé about it anymore.

I took a steadying breath.

If I ran now, I knew they’d chase me. The way they’d interacted with me at the funeral proved I was no longer safe as a mere observer of their kind.

When the sound of screeching metal broke the silence ahead of me, I flinched, but didn’t move.

I wouldn’t react.

I couldn’t react.

I needed to get home to the guys.

I took a slow, deliberate step forward, knowing I couldn’t risk the elevator—not with an infernal waiting to ambush me. Judging by the sounds, whatever lurked ahead possessed claws sharp enough to slice me in half.

I needed to take the ramp to the level below. If I found other humans, maybe the infernals wouldn’t touch me. I’d never worried my everyday movements might put me in danger before.

I never thought they’d harm me. For almost twenty years, they hadn’t.

When they killed my parents, I didn’t think they wanted me. Maybe they couldn’t find me in the crawlspace. I’d passed out and woke only to the sound of the police calling my name.

Another growl—closer now—ripped me back from my memories.

I forced myself to continue walking, turning onto the ramp.

Each footstep echoed loudly. My combat boots might help me run, but every heavy step gave my location away.

Rounding the corner to the next level down, I looked around for any sign of life. Nothing. The space was emptier than the upper floor. Broken overhead lights cast deep shadows where infernals could hide.

I started across the parking lot as the clicks and growls rose again from all sides. I needed to pretend I didn’t hear them. If they knew, I’d never make it to the elevator, much less make it out of the garage alive.