The gruff voice broke through her spiraling thoughts, and Selma exhaled as relief and adrenaline made the muscles in her legs soften.

“Kesh?”

A moment’s silence. “Yes. Who’s this?”

“Selma, Kain’s Mate. He told me to call you—”

“What happened?” he interrupted. “Where are you?”

“In Western Colorado, off Route 40. Prince Naharan and some women—I think demons—attacked us. They’ve got Kain. Please, we need your help.”

A growl burst through the phone at her explanation, but the sound of it soothed her. His anger was directed at their attackers.

“I’m on my way. Do you have access to transportation?”

“Yes,” she said, glancing at the fancy car Kain had driven her straight from the Governor’s mansion to Colorado in.

“Good. I’m going to text you directions to a cafe in the nearest town. Drive straight there. I will be there in less than an hour. Do not stop for anything, understood?”

“Okay.” Knowing that someone who sounded as competent and in control as this Kesh was would be taking charge of the situation was a huge relief. Selma slumped against the side of the car when her muscles threatened to give in to the delayed shock. “Thank you.”

He grunted, then disconnected the call, leaving her alone on the side of the road.

Now that the reassurance of Kesh’s voice was gone, the darkness seemed to press in on her again, making her every hair stand on end. Somewhere out there, demons were hunting her.

The phone in her hand lit up with a text message—directions from Kesh.

But before she managed to read the text, a scraping sound from the other side of the car cut through the darkness, chilling her blood.

What the hell was that?

“Hello?” she called stupidly before biting down hard on her tongue. If whatever made that sound was capable of responding, she didn’t exactly want it to.

Moving faster than she’d thought possible Selma lunged at the driver side door. The sooner she got out of here, the better.

Her heart drummed hard in her throat as her adrenaline spiked for the second time that evening, but when her fingers pulled frantically at the handle, it didn’t budge.

How was it locked? She’d made sure to leave it unlocked when she got out, leaving the keys in the ignition. Frantically she pulled on the door again, but it still wouldn’t budge.

“Even when you reek of fear, you are the most delicious thing I’ve ever seen,” a deep, familiar voice purred.

Cold shock froze her to the spot, her fingers still curled around the handle. No.