Page 41 of Faerie Hunted

I pressed my hand to the empty slot and dove deep for my magic until it twined with the artifact. Once I was relatively sure I had a handle on things, I sent the magic out into the car.

“Start,” I whispered. Hardly daring to listen in case it didn’t work.

It probably wouldn’t work and I was wasting my?—

The engine roared to life as theTotaliswarmed in my palm, pulsing with power.

Fuck having someone give me the crystal.

I let out a triumphant whoop and hurriedly pressed my foot to the pedal, throwing the car into reverse and peeling out of the driveway before someone came running.

12

Imaneuvered the car around a corner too quickly and the tires skidded over wet pavement.

The roads here were narrower and I wasn’t used to the way the vehicle handled.

Still, I managed to get all four tires back where they belonged and somehow found my way to the alley where Onyx rested.

I paused only long enough to roll down the window and call his name. “Onyx! Get in!”

He shuffled up to the side door. “What the hell is this, Tavi?”

“Exactly what we needed,” I told him with a rogue smile.

His fingers shook as he peeled open the door and flung himself down on the seat, his skin now ashen gray. I wasn't sure how far the car would take us but if it got us out of this town then I was all for it.

Sirens already sounded in the distance. They were on to us. We’d be lucky to make it out of here without the Bureau on our asses.

My heart thrummed an unhealthy erratic beat against my ribs.

By the time we reached the edge of the forest and I pushed open the door for Noren, I felt lightheaded and only the seatbelt kept me from falling forward against the dash.

He clambered over me to get to the small area in the back, taking up every inch of available space and then some.

Doesn’t matter.

The moment the door closed, I peeled down the road with a squeal of tires.

“You okay, buddy?” I asked over my shoulder.

The cab filled with the scent of wet fur.

“I’ve been better.” Onyx blew out a long sigh and rested his head against the window.

“I was talking to the direwolf but it’s good to know.”

He swallowed over a laugh. “I realize. Maybe I’m trying to fill the silence because my thoughts have gotten a little too loud. Everything hurts.”

“I’m sorry.” My apologies meant shit. “I’m so sorry.”

“No sense apologizing.” He closed his eyes.

The road in front of us wasn’t empty by any means. We joined a line of traffic, horses and carriages joining lines of cars and bikes. At least we were moving faster. At least when I cracked the window, the sirens were left in the distance and soon I heard nothing but the passing rumble of others and the steady hum of our tires.

“It’s bound to happen though,” I said at last. “The thoughts. Sometimes I can barely stand myself. My brain is screaming so loudly it’s like nothing else exists.”

“When you think about everything that’s happened to us…” Onyx trailed off.

---