With Jongho close at my heels, we bolt out to see a swarm of The Boyz's members on top of a man with a black hood. I also see Jinho and Seungkwan bleeding and hurt. And Shinwon is missing. Great. My stupid plan backfired.

I reach them, just as Q sinks his teeth into the man's neck, narrowly missing Hyunjae's finger.

The man fights through the attack and ignores the pain from Changmin's bite. His beady black eyes focus on me.

"Checkmate," he spits out.

That's not Devdan or Morden.

I gasp in shock and take a step back. Jongho has to steady me.

Who is this? What is going on? Where's Shinwon?!

I try to force negative, blaming thoughts from my head. They'll do no good to me.

I glimpse Sangyeon, Younghoon and New are checking on Seungkwan, while Jacob and Kevin have Jinho between them. Hyunjae is still protecting his finger to one side with Eric eyeing him, his eyes full of worry. This leaves Q, Juyeon and Sunwoo to be the ones to hold this strange man hostage.

The man cracks a smirk and chuckles. "Devdan gives his regards, Avalynn. Did you see this coming? Of course not. You think you know every twist and turn in the book -- in a Patterson book -- but you didn't see this one coming! Now, you've lost Shinwon. Congratulations."

I can't help it. I lunge for him. Q, Juyeon and Sunwoo release him and step back. They know, this is my battle, but are ready to act and help out, should I need them to. I snatch this jerk by the collar of his black hood and pull him toward me. He lets me, refusing to fight. That's rather odd.

Still, I'm propelled by my fury.

"Where is he?!" I snap.

"Who? Shinwon...or...Devdan?" the man snarls, making sure to articulate each word he says.

Seungkwan, a shaky hand on Sangyeon's shoulder, glares at the man. "There's TWO of them!"

"Oh, there's two of you?" I'm shocked, but not really. Fury is my main emotional charge right now.

"Devdan told us you wouldn't expect this twist. He knows you're smart, but you're not smart enough."

I want to bash this jerk's head in.

"I know he's around here somewhere, enjoying this. Every second of it. He probably has my poor friend tied up in the back of his car too!" I growl, looking around me and trying to survey the area.

"Ava!" a familiar voice cries out.

My eyes jerk from the road toward the voice. I spot Shinwon, staggering toward me. He's scared and he's bleeding badly from a cut on his cheek, but he's okay and he's not tied up! Relief washes over me.

I forget about the strange man and rush to him. I throw my arms around him and hug him closely, refusing to let go. I also make sure to keep one eye open, because I'm almost positive Devdan is around and about to leave, thinking he's got me distracted. A window of opportunity.

Checkmate, indeed, Devdan.