HIDDEN (FIGHT OR FLIGHT)

Chapter 28

DAMON'S P.O.V.

I could hear Felix's voice clearly through our mind link, his tone calm but urgent, "I'm fine, Damon. Seriously, don't freak out. I called you because there's something important here you need to see. Just stay hidden for now. Trust me, I'll be quick."

I pressed my palm against the rough bark of the tree, my fingers curling slightly into its crevices as if I could draw strength from it. The air was thick with the scent of earth and leaves, but beneath it all, Felix's familiar scent lingered, faint but enough to ground me. He was inside that house, just a few feet away, but the sense of distance between us felt more profound than mere space. Something was off, and I couldn't shake the unease settling in my gut.

Vincent stood beside me, his body tense and ready to spring. His breathing was shallow, controlled, but the strain in his muscles was palpable. He didn't like waiting, and I could feel the barely-contained urge in him to charge in and confront whatever was happening inside. I could sense his frustration, like a live wire between us, but I held him back.

"Felix said he's fine," I murmured, more to reassure myself than to calm Vincent. My eyes scanned the house, trying to catch some movement or sign of danger, but all I saw were the faint shadows through the windows, shifting in the dim light.

Vincent wasn't convinced. His jaw tightened as his gaze remained locked on the house. "I still don't trust this," he whispered, his voice low but edged with raw intensity. "What if something's wrong? We should go in, Damon."

I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to agree with him. My heightened senses picked up on every detail-the soft murmur of conversation inside, the distant hum of the wind through the trees-but none of it made sense. Felix was talking about helping Kyle and his mother with food and hotel bills after they'd been mugged. Who the hell was Kyle? I had no idea what he was referring to. Why hadn't he told me? Why was I hearing about this now, like I was an outsider in his life? The realization stung, but I forced myself to focus.

No danger. Not yet, at least. Felix was safe, but the gnawing uncertainty remained. What was I even doing here?

The front door creaked open, the sound splitting the silence around us. My breath hitched as Felix stepped outside, flanked by two people. One of them, a man, had his arm casually draped around Felix's shoulder, as if they were old friends. The other trailed behind them, silent, unreadable. Their backs were turned to me and made it hard to make out their faces. I strained my hearing, trying to pick up any clue, any hint of what was happening.

Felix's voice echoed in my head again, calm and steady. "Stay hidden and follow us, but don't reveal yourself just yet. I'll explain soon."

I exhaled slowly, the weight of his trust settling over me like a heavy cloak. If Felix said to wait, I'd wait. No more mistrust and eavesdropping. But Vincent was practically vibrating beside me, his impatience radiating off him in waves. He shifted on his feet, his fists clenching and unclenching.

"Why aren't we doing something? Why aren't we inside already?" Vincent asked.

I shot him a warning look. "Not yet. Give him some privacy, will you?"

The minutes dragged, each one heavier than the last, stretching my nerves thin. I knew Vincent's patience was wearing out; I could feel the strain in the air between us. He didn't understand Felix like I did. He didn't know how much trust Felix and I shared, how deeply we were connected.

Finally, Felix's voice cut through the haze. "Damon... come to the living room. It's time."

My heart raced, adrenaline spiking through my veins. Without another word, I grabbed Vincent's hand, and with a deep breath, I focused. The world blurred, shifting around us as I teleported us directly into the living room.