Page 104 of The Light Within

The road twisted through the forest, and they raced past tall, skeletal trees. The headlights caught glimpses of the frosted bark, turning the world into a blur of black and white. Julien’s heart pounded in his chest, each beat matching the rhythmic thrum of the engine. The SUV remained dogged in its pursuit, its driver showing no signs of giving up.

Just who exactly was chasing them, and how many in number? Likely, they were good buddies with the two dead bodies in the back. Would it be safest to stop and fight them? What were a couple more murders to his tally at this point?

Tempting, but the memory of bandaging Cinn’s arm that morning had Julien aggressively slamming the pedal down.Non.However tantalising, Julien’s abilities couldn’t be trusted, especially in this state of mind. He wouldn’t lose anyone else by his own hand. Especially not his boyfriend. His boyfriend, who’d told Julien that he loved him. Lovedhim.It was unbelievable, but Julien would take it.

He’d protect Cinn if it killed him.

They rounded a particularly sharp bend. The body laying across the back seat lurched forward, smacking into the headrests. Julien winced.

The village of Moret-sur-Loing came into view—the cobbled streets were quiet, only a few locals braving the cold to run errands. Julien cursed again. He didn’t want to involve innocents in this mess, but he had no choice. The narrow streets of the village, with its sharp turns, were their best chance to lose the tail.

Blaring the horn, which roared like a foghorn with its enhanced volume, Julien gunned the engine, and Maz surged forward into the village.A couple of pedestrians on the pavement stopped in their tracks, faces alarmed as the black car sped past them. Julien narrowly avoided a cart full of produce, sending apples tumbling into the street. The vendor shouted something that was lost in the carnage.

Cinn craned his neck to look behind them. “They’re still there, Julien! We’re not losing them.”

I have eyes.

Julien’s jaw clenched. He swerved around a parked car, barely missing the side mirror. The SUV followed, its tyres screeching as it skidded slightly on the icy road but quickly regained control. They tore through the centre of the village, the ancient buildings a blur on either side.

“Watch out for those kids!”

A group of youths bundled in scarves and hats gawked as they zoomed by. Julien winced. He really would be off to hell if he mowed down a bunch of children.

Rubber burned. Nerves frayed.

Maz blasted through the last stretch of the village, the paved streets giving way to the open countryside, and its dirt tracks. The snow was falling heavier now, the flakes sticking to the ground and making the drive even more treacherous. Maz handled it better than most cars would, the motetech enhancements giving her an edge in the worsening conditions.

But Julien felt her strain as if she were a part of him, the violent billows of fumes trailing behind them acting as a sign of protest. He stroked the steering wheel. “Well done, girl.”

“This isn’t working.” Cinn’s voice was edged with panic. “We’re not going to shake—holy shit! Look!”

Julien’s eyes flicked to the rear-view mirror, heart skipping a beat. The SUV was still on their tail, but now a passenger was leaning out of the window, clutching a sleek, black weapon. It was unmistakably motetech,and Julien’s blood ran cold as he recognized the design, tendrils of electric-blue light snaking around the barrel.

Cinn was right to be scared—this wasn’t just a chase any longer. They were about to be under attack.

“We can’t let them hit us with that,” Julien said.

“No shit!”

Julien’s mind raced, calculating the success of their very few remaining options. “Hang on tight.” He tightened his grip on the wheel.

“What are you—”

Julien yanked the wheel to the right, sending Maz careening off the road and onto a dirt track that cut through a field. The tyres skidded on the loose gravel, and Cinn was thrown against the door.

“Julien!”

The SUV followed, barrelling down the narrow track after them. Julien fought to keep control as Maz bounced over the uneven ground, the suspension struggling to compensate. He felt every jolt, every bump, reverberate through his spine. But the SUV was heavier, less agile. They hurtled towards the end of the field, and Julien scanned the horizon, heart hammering. Then, he spotted it—a small gap in the tree line. A Maz-sized gap.

If Julien could make it through there, maybe they’d reach another road, and maybe, just maybe, they’d lose the SUV in the process.

The gap loomed closer. They were moments away now. Julien glanced in the mirror—

The smooth control Julien had over Maz vanished in an instant as the tyres hit a patch of ice. Julien swore, fighting to correct their path, but it was too late. The steering wheel jolted violently in his hands, and the car seemed to float for a heartbeat, weightless and terrifying, as if the ground had simply disappeared beneath them.

“Watch out!” Cinn shrieked pointlessly, because there was nothing Julien could do to stop the car skidding wildly, spinning across the icy ground towards a sharp drop.

A sharp drop which soon revealed itself to be more of a—

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