Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 364

Chapter 364

Jade’s POV:

60

A body sailed through the air, landing with a sickening thud several feet from where SPECTER stood. He lifted his foot from Wraith’s wounded leg.

SPECTER turned, his cold gaze locking onto me as I stood over the last of his operatives, my chest heaving with exertion. Behind him, Milo lay motionless on the ground. I couldn’t tell if he was still breathing.

“Still have some fight left in you?” SPECTER’s voice carried easily across the distance between us, the howling sea winds seeming to part for his words.

I wiped blood from my lips with the back of my hand. “Only when a killer has even one breath left in their body. You taught me that.”

His eyes narrowed slightly. I didn’t give him a chance to respond, launching myself toward him with everything I had left. My muscles screamed in protest, but I pushed through the pain. This was it–the confrontation I’d been waiting for since I opened my eyes in this new

life.

SPECTER was near Shadow’s level at his peak. But even in my prime, with my original body, I hadn’t reached my full potential before they betrayed me. SPECTER might be older now, but he was still deadly–perhaps the deadliest person alive besides me.

If I weren’t injured, if my body wasn’t running on fumes, this would be a fair fight. As it was, I knew I was at a severe disadvantage, but I had to try. I had to hold him off until help arrived.

To an observer, we might have appeared evenly matched, but I felt each exchange draining what little reserves I had left.

The bastard wore body armor beneath his clothes. My punches and kicks barely fazed him.

I spotted an opening and thrust a sharp stone toward his neck, aiming for the carotid artery–one of the few exposed areas. His hand shot up with frightening speed, catching my wrist just inches from its target. Blood immediately soaked through my bandages as his grip tightened on my injured forearm.

With a quick twist, he attempted to snap my arm. I contorted my body, following the direction of the force to avoid the break, but pain still exploded through my nervous system as damaged tissue tore further.

I managed to break free, simultaneously kicking at his legs. He deflected each attack with practiced ease, sending me staggering back another step.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Wraith struggling to his feet. He’d managed to bandage his leg wound, though blood was already seeping through the hastily applied dressing. He limped toward us, determination written across his pain–contorted face.

SPECTER forced me back with a flurry of strikes, then whirled to face Wraith. Before I could call out a warning, SPECTER had closed the distance between them, grabbing Wraith by the throat and lifting him off the ground.

“Time to end this,” SPECTER said coldly, his grip tightening as he prepared to snap Wraith’s neck.

I lunged forward without hesitation, knowing I wouldn’t reach them in time but unable to stand by and watch. SPECTER’s free hand shot out, palm connecting with my sternum with bone–crushing force. I felt something crack inside my chest as I was thrown backward, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth..

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11:40 Wed, Oct 8

Chapter 364

60

I’d saved Wraith, at least temporarily. SPECTER had dropped him to deal with me, but the cost was high. I lay on the ground, each breath sending shards of pain through my chest. A broken rib, maybe two. I coughed, spraying blood onto the rocky ground.

SPECTER stalked toward me, forcing me back until half my body hung over the cliff’s edge. The sea spray misted my face, salt stinging my open wounds. The wind howled around us, threatening to pluck me from my precarious position and cast me into the abyss below.

I tried to roll away from the edge, but SPECTER blocked every attempt.

“Tell me who you really are, and I might make your death painless,” he said.

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