Whispers of Darkness (The Deadwood Hunter Series) by Rachel M Raithby Page A

felt the rush of the kill again... Well, the cat won’t want to be locked away again and he could probably turn back now but he can’t... Spending so much time as a leopard when you’re not used to controlling it, well there’s a chance he’ll lose his humanity and fully embrace his leopard side.”
    “That won’t happen, I won’t let it ” Lexia bent, kissing the leopard on the head. “I’ll bring you back, Caden,” she whispered.
    A soft knock sounded at the door and Lincoln turned to lights . “Yes?” Lexia asked.
    Lara’s petite face peaked through the door . “I brought you some food.”
    “Thanks,” Lexia smiled, realizing how hungry she was.
     

Chapte r 14
     
    As darkness fell, Lexia took to the streets, two predatory shifters by her side. Every footstep, every paw print was taken with silent purpose. They passed by invisible, deadly ghosts hidden within the shadows of night. All that could be seen was the eerie glow of six shining eyes; eyes full of deadly intent, eyes that would make you gasp and run from the shadows.
    They paused briefly at a junction in the road . Two sets of cat eyes scanned the area, whilst another set of fierce gold ones closed. “It’s clear,” Lexia whispered, her gold hunter eyes opening again.
    Lexia set o ff running, the Hunter at the surface, every fiber of her being on red alert, checking, sensing for any life around them, good or bad. Lincoln’s warm heavy body brushed against her hip as he ran by her side. Her hand absently brushed over his back, curling into his fur.
    Caden ran on her l eft; he limped, slowing his pace so she paused for a second to let him catch up as Lincoln took the lead and showed her the way to the forest. But as he went to turn a corner, Lexia hissed, “Stop.” He froze immediately, his gold panther eyes turning to look into hers. “There’s someone on that street.”
    He growled low and Lexia walked forward rubbing her hand across his head . “Shush, pretty panther.” She closed her eyes, letting this new strange power take over, and there in her mind’s eye, she could see the life force of two people. “They’re just boys, Lincoln, we need to take another route.”
    He growled again . “I know but it won’t take long to go over a block.”
    As they ran across the road, Lexia glanced down the street seeing the shadows of tall towering trees in the distance . Their straight road to freedom and it was blocked by two teenagers.
    One block over the three of them turned . Keeping to the shadows they made their way down the quiet rundown street. Dogs were silenced as the two big cats padded past. This street didn’t have a clear path like the last one, they’d need to turn off and go over another street. As they were about the cross the road and leave the shadows of the tall tattered building, Lexia felt it, the dark swirling energy of a Hunter. He walked by himself turning onto the same street.
    They all froze at the same time and slipped into the darkness between two buildings . “We need him off the streets Lincoln, show yourself to him, he’ll never know what lies within the darkness.”
    The Hunter walked as if not a care in the world, his eyes glancing around every so often. He had his baseball cap pulled low, shielding his gold eyes from any passersby. He paused when he heard the low unmistakable growl from a big cat, his brow furrowed as he looked around him and then he froze, eyes widening as two gold panther eyes gleamed in the darkness like two floating jewels within a sea of black.
    He smiled and looked around him once more . When the Hunter was certain they were alone he pulled his gun from his belt, a silencer already attached and crossed the road with confidence in every step; he was certain he could take on the panther alone. But as he entered the darkness his eyes blinded for the split second it took them to adjust, he felt strong human hands grasp around his head, his mouth. And before his finger even had chance