My heart sinks, which is a harder hit than the pain that’s still coursing through my body. Someone must have broken through the line of fire that kept us separated.
I hope whoever hit me with this stupid blade burns.
It’s not my scream that Rafe and Paxton hear. I’m not sure anyone can hear much above the clash of chaos filling the night. There’s something more primal that turns their heads from freedom and back onto me. It’s a connection the three of us have never managed to shake, even in a place as dire as this.
I want to shout for Rafe and Paxton to run and take their escape while they have it. But part of me knows that’s not the men I love. They’re selfless, and we move as a unit.
Which is exactly what they do when they turn and run back to me.
The blade is ripped from my skin, but my limbs are still clumsy from the agony of it all.
Paxton hefts me up in his arms while Rafe howls into the night, wounded because I’m in pain.
Paxton runs me toward the inmates, swearing under his breath. I glance over his shoulder and see Rafe stalking toward the fire.
Toward the officers.
Toward his victims.
I cannot let him hurt them. Gray’s tender conscience wouldn’t be able to bear the weight of something so gruesome. He will not live up to the “scary shifter” stereotype if I can help it.
“Rafe!” I call as Paxton nears the hole in the brick wall with me in his arms. Everything in me is raw and aching. “Rafe, come with me!”
Like a puppy who knows where his true home will always be, Rafe turns from the fight he could clearly win, wagging his tail because he doesn’t want to be a monster.
Rafe trots after me—the last inmate to escape from Prigham’s.
33
Not Enough
Paxton
While everyone on the fleet of busses is winded, scared and checking through the windows for signs of capture, I’m silently clutching Arlanna while my chest shudders. That was too close, and we’re nowhere near out of the woods yet.
“I have to calm them down,” she protests, trying to sit up in my arms.
I cannot handle her stubbornness. “You were just hit with a knife. Take a breath. There’s plenty of time to regroup.” Then it dawns on me that I have no idea where we’re headed. I glance up toward the driver—a man I don’t know by name, but I recognize from seeing his face photographed as part of Conan Valentine’s security detail. “Sir, do you know where we’re going?”
He doesn’t bother answering, which is irritating, but it’s no surprise. The Valentine employees are the best. Father’s tried to buy them off to lure them to our employ over the years, but they never so much as sniffed at the offers. Their loyalty runs deep, and clearly, telling us where we’re going isn’t in his job description.
It can’t be a piece of property. Even the home Arlanna’s promised us cannot possibly be big enough for everyone.
Arlanna’s movements are weighted, but she manages to sit up and glance back at the bus that’s filled with scared faces. Everyone is talking quietly, holding hands with the person in the bench beside them, whether they knew each other well or not. We’re all in this quest together, even though not many of us understand it enough to truly take ownership of it.
Gray is naked. He’s on all fours and shuddering on his knees beside the driver, who couldn’t be less bothered by the sight.
I cast around for a spare set of clothes for him, but of course, why would that have been on the list? A bus is most important. Everything else is luxury.
Cassia and Charlotte are on the bus behind us. I saw them get in, helping the others and making sure every seat was full.
My heart lurches at the sight of Gray, so clearly shaken and shivering. I kiss Arlanna and move her to the poorly padded bench, standing so I can do what I’m able to cover my brother. The snaps of my orange jumpsuit come off quickly, and I find I don’t care all that much about the fact that everyone here is going to see me in only my standard-issue white boxer briefs and my matching tank top.
When I place my hand on Gray’s shoulder, kneeling beside him, he doesn’t even register that I’m offering him my jumpsuit. His arms curve around my neck and he rocks forward onto his knees, his body shuddering with all the things he’s not ready to say.
I’ve never hugged a naked man before, but there’s no part of me that’s willing to let Gray go through this alone.
“I nearly killed them all,” he whispers.
“But you didn’t,” I gently correct, reminding him that he’s not a crazed lunatic who murders at random. “You kept your head through the whole thing.”
“I can still feel his rage,” Gray whispers. “I don’t want you guys to be afraid of me. I’ll get Rafe under control.”
Arlanna stands from her seat, overhearing enough to be helpful. “I’m not afraid of Rafe. He’s my sweet pup. He just doesn’t like it when his family’s snatched at.”
At the sight of her leaning heavily on the seatback, Gray snaps to the present. I help him step into my jumpsuit, and watch as he fluidly picks Arlanna off her feet and cradles her in his capable arms.
I fish around near the front of the bus for a first aid kit, which I find tucked safely under the driver’s seat. Arlanna’s head leans on Gray’s shoulder, and though the aisle is cramped, he manages not to let her legs bump anything. The two of us bandage up her stab wound as quick as we can while the bus jerks. Luckily, it’s clotted enough, which leads me to believe she’ll be alright.
I motion for the two to take my seat, mostly because I’m afraid Gray is going to drop her, overcome with nerves as he is. But also, I want to keep watch. Organize us as much as possible.
We’re not out of the woods yet.
I posture, pretending that I’m not standing in front of a bus full of people in a tank and underwear. My voice carries with it the weight of authority I was bred with, and won’t shy away from now. “Everyone, listen up. Just because we got out of Prigham’s doesn’t mean we’re home free. We’re out of Prigham’s and got our magic back, yes, but they’ll come after us.” I look over the rows of faces, each painted with varying shades of fear. “We need to prepare.”
I nearly smile when a man in the fourth row raises his hand, as if we’re in class and I’m his teacher. “How do we prepare? Where are we going? I’m worried our escape will last a total of ten minutes. They’re going to hunt us down and drag us back!”
Arlanna climbs off of Gray’s lap and stands beside me as much as the narrow aisle will allow. “We have precautions in place when we get to where we’re going. The main thing is that we need to get to my property in Henley. I have a house on ten acres of land. Right now, my father’s people are working to outfit it to hold all of us.”
Ten acres? That’ll do nicely.
“Every inmate at Prigham’s?” someone inquires, his disbelief playing out on the dozens of faces.
“Everyone.” Arlanna nods once, as if that’s all we need to understand that the question of our lodging is no longer a thing that should concern us. She speaks with such authority. Her shoulders are rolled back, though her body’s just been through the ringer. “You’re right that they’re going to hunt us down and try to drag us back to prison.” Her voice raises in defiance. “But that’s not where we belong!”
I watch with fascination as the worries begin to evaporate from the faces of the onlookers. Instead of concern, now I see proud defiance beaming up at us.
She is amazing.
I balk at the breadth of this plan that’s far more thought out than I imagined. I love how confident she is that no harm will cut us off from our freedom. The city of Henley is about half an hour from here, so there are loads of bumps that could still happen along the way. And once we’re there, we need to prepare to defend our territory.
Arlanna reserves her serene bravery for the others, but when she turns only to me, I can see the clear pangs of worry clouding her confidence.
In her f
ear, I see the reality that we might not make it to our destination.
She turns and addresses the inmates in our bus with certainty that almost fools me. “Close your eyes and steady your breathing. All of you. The world outside this bus doesn’t matter. All that matters is your breathing. I need a wealth of calm energy if I’m to defend us.”
I watch as everyone closes their eyes and inhales in unison, like a yoga class readying for a communal stretch.
It’s not enough. Not enough time. Not enough calm. Sirens hit my ears, and I fear our little slice of victory is just about over.
When the driver swears and slams on his breaks, I know Arlanna, Gray and I are on our own. I grab onto the seats, caging Arlanna with my body so she doesn’t go flying backwards.
“Get down, Miss Valentine!” the driver shouts. He’s been with the family for who knows how long, but he’s still confined to using a formal address with her.
Arlanna grips the seats once she gathers her bearings, and turns to see the breadth of what’s stopped us.
Though our bus is in the long line of escape vehicles, I can still see too many police cars barricading the road, keeping the line of busses from reaching our destination.
This time, I don’t hesitate. I don’t wait for there to be no other option before I tap into my fire. I’ve kept my glare bottled up for years, but it’s time to unleash all I’m capable of. I don’t care if the world knows I’m dangerous.
They should be afraid to try and lock me up ever again.
My lips press to Arlanna’s forehead. “Stay right here. I’ll clear the path for us.”
Arlanna clutches my forearm so tight, I’m certain her fingernails are going to leave marks. “If you light their cars on fire, we still have to drive through it. I don’t want the busses exploding or catching fire in our escape.”
Fair point.
“A line of fire will give us at least enough distraction to come up with something more concrete. It’s our only move right now.” I cup the driver’s shoulder. “If I block off the road, can you drive around on the grass? Could this thing handle the terrain?”
The guard shrugs. “It’s worth a shot. What are you thinking? We can’t outrace the cop cars.”
“I can incapacitate the cars, but the road won’t be drivable. We’ll have to go around.”
“Go on, then. I’ll get us around if you can get the cops off of us.”
“Paxton, don’t you dare leave this bus!” Arlanna shouts, sounding every bit like a mother bear.
I love that she worries about my safety, that she cares if I come back to her.
The corner of my mouth drags upward. “Keep everyone on the bus, and get ready to move.”
I have to ignore her caution as I leap out of the bus and race toward the front of our stalled procession.
The police are armed and wearing Kevlar, some holding riot shields as they approach the first bus. One trots around to the side, banging on the door several busses ahead of us.
I don’t want to hurt the boys in blue. They’re only doing their jobs. So I do what I can to aim my fiery glare at the stretch of ground right in front of the officer’s feet. The grass bursts into flame, and the man nearest the bus hops back, swearing at the crowned prince, who’s charging at him in his underwear.
A door behind me creeks open, but I don’t turn to see who’s joining me. Instead I charge for the front, hiding my body as much as I can to the side of the first bus’ engine.
“You will let us pass!” I shout, though I have no faith they’ll actually listen to me. My decree holds less weight than it used to, being that I’m an inmate on the run.
In my knickers.
One of the officers holds a bullhorn, and speaks for his team with an echoing voice that carries. “We have orders to take you back to Prigham’s Penitentiary. Failure to comply will result in further action. We are prepared to use force, if necessary.” The crackle of the bullhorn sets my teeth on edge. “Everyone will get out of the busses with your hands up.”
The officer doesn’t have aggression bred into him. I can tell he’s just doing his job.
The wrong job.
I don’t have it in me to hurt him, or his men. But I also cannot stomach leading the inmates away from their brief taste of freedom. The police are armed, and ready to harm us for daring to exist outside of their constrictive box.
When a hand cups my shoulder, I’m spooked, especially when I don’t see anyone beside me.
Cassia speaks steadily in my ear, though I cannot see her face. “Light those trees to the right side of the road on fire. I’ll sneak into their squad cars and move them out of the way. We can’t give them proof that we belong in jail. Our escape can’t have any casualties.”
My mouth falls open, but that’s the only acknowledgement I give her. She’s gone without waiting for my reply.
The officer with the bullhorn is awaiting my response, but I know there’s little point in conversing when we’re both at an impasse. Instead I switch my focus to the cluster of trees that Cassia indicated, narrowing my gaze and summoning up indignation that I know must accompany my glare.
Passion and purpose mingle in my body, sending heat through my veins all the way up to my face.
Before the cops can make their next move, the trees to the right of the road burst into flame.
Cassia couldn’t have timed her grand theft auto better if she tried. It doesn’t even look like the police notice one of their cars is rolling backward several meters behind the enflamed trees, leaving the road halfway exposed for us.
The police divert their focus, shouting and scrabbling, backing away as another tree catches the flame, and another.
My fist pounds on the bus door at the front of the long line, and the driver opens it up for me.
Of course Sloan is driving the car at the front of the caravan.
I leap inside. “Keep the door open for Cassia! She’s still clearing the road for us.”
Sloan’s eyes are wide, which gives me a small sense of satisfaction that I was able to surprise the great Valentine guard. “What’s she doing? We’ve got to get out of here before more emergency vehicles block our way.”
A smile creeps across my face as I watch out the tall front window. I nod toward the one cop car still obstructing our escape, relishing his gasp as it glides backward with no one at the wheel.
“How is…” Sloan has no intelligent guesses.
“Shadowmelder.” I barely get out the word as the cop car drifts back, picking up speed as it rolls toward the deep ditch not meant for travel.
The crash splits the focus of the police officers from the fire, and more shouts alert us to the fact that they have no backup plan to restrain us.
Cassia got out. She must have. That was too hard a crash for her to risk being inside the car. She no doubt would be knocked unconscious, or worse.
“Where is she?” I shout without meaning to. I’ve no control over my temper or my volume right now. I have no plan for how to find an invisible, possibly immaterial woman in the middle of a mass escape from prison.
“We have to take our opportunity and go!” Sloan warns, as if I’m the one keeping Cassia out among the enemy.
“Wait! We’re not leaving without her.”
Charlotte would never recover if we left her girlfriend behind. Cassia has already sacrificed so much, getting us this far. I cannot let the busses leave.
I turn and step toward the exit, but no sooner do I make the decision to possibly get left behind with my sister than an unseen force rockets into my midsection.
“Move!” Cassia shouts, though I still can’t see her.
I fumble backwards just enough for Sloan to be able to shut the door. The bus lurches into gear as Cassia materializes in my arms.
We’re on our way. We’re safe.
At least, that’s what I tell myself as we roll along, leaving a blaze of wreckage behind us.
34
Daddy’s Gift
Ar
lanna
Holding Gray’s hand through the drive to the Henley property doesn’t calm me one bit. Maybe it’s supposed to infuse tranquility into my boyfriend, though I doubt it’s done even that. The plan from here is far looser than I would have liked, but we had limited plotting time.
“I’m not going to ask what the next step is. You got us out; that’s more than anyone’s been able to do.” The heavy hint Gray leaves in the air between us goes unaddressed. He wants to know what’s coming next.
The truth is, I have no idea if we’ll be received by anything but an open field, truckleberry trees and a house fit for a family, but not for five hundred. I talked through different options with my father, but he did his thing where he half-listened, waved his hand and said, “I’ll take care of it.”
I don’t know what that entails, and even though I’m a crucial part of the equation, somehow anything beyond getting us to the Henley property isn’t my business.
Not my business? This whole thing is my business because he made it my business when he didn’t serve time for his own crimes.
Holding a grudge against my father never does me any good, but I bristle all the same, as if he’s in front of me and I can tell him off properly.
As we pull through the gate onto my stretch of land that I haven’t visited in years, any rant I might have stored up is swallowed.
Gray leans forward, gripping the seat as he cranes his neck to look out the front window. “Holy… Did you do this?”
I don’t know what I’m expecting, but a lengthy aisle of portable latrines greets us, followed by a row of a dozen trailers that have pictures of cartoon showers painted on the outside.
There’s a giant white tent toward the center of the property that Gray points to with wide eyes. “That must be the town square,” Gray muses.
And that’s when it hits me: I’m not just building a series of safehouses; my vacation property is being set up to become its own community. Its own village.
Sins of the Mother: A Paranormal Prison Romance (Sinfully Sacrificed Book 2) Page 21