Page 64 of Shadow & Stars
ROMAN
The fire swept down the alleyway. I hit the ground, landing on my side.
Holy shit!
Flames roared above, licking at my skin. The heat was incredible but did not burn me. Thank God! Being roasted alive was on my list of the worst ways to die.
Please let Eric and Michelle be okay…
As soon as the fire cleared, leaving behind smaller flames in the scorched brickwork, I got to my feet.
“We are here, Shadow.” Margarite and Lizard Guy were on their feet, not crispy.
Good. Good. But what about the witches?
The dragon roared, its wings a heavy beat outside the alley. I looked back, the street on fire. Oh, God. Things would only go to hell now. This double whammy came at us in one evening. I couldn’t think how bad things were going to get from here on out.
Feeling a little dizzy from all the drama, I ran down the alleyway, reaching a destroyed gate. It lay in smoldering piecesin a paved-over garden. I darted past it, scanning the garden for any sign of the witches.
I spotted them hiding in a line of fir trees at the far end. Michelle waved me over.
“You both okay?” I asked, crouching beside them.
“Just,” Eric answered.
The houses were on fire, and it was quickly spreading across the roofs. It wouldn’t be long before this street collapsed into ashes.
I blew out a long breath, holding steadfastly to my fraying determination.
“We have to get to Queen Piper,” I said.
Michelle looked at me, her facial features sagging. “What if we can’t? What if humans aren’t strong enough to fight without magic?”
“Don’t say that,” Eric countered. “We can’t give up yet.”
Yeah, screw any resignation. We weren’t quitting.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said.
“There is no safety,” Michelle answered hopelessly.
“No. You don’t get to say that. You have to fight.”
The dragon flew past. I froze, waiting for the beast or the demon queen to spot me in my own moment of hopelessness. But neither did.
“Let’s move,” I pressed, getting back on the horse of determination. “Those fuckers aren’t taking over. And I won’t let you wait around to be barbequed.”
Thankfully, Michelle agreed to move, sparing us any more attempts to make her see the light. I guess not wanting to be cooked alive trumped doubt.
Taking point, I passed through the trees into another back garden. The witches followed, and I led them to the other side. We hurried down an alley into another street, the residents frantic in a desperate bid to escape the area.
“Where are our people?” Eric said.
“Can’t be everywhere at once,” Michelle muttered. “Come on.” She moved into point, weaving through the chaos until we reached a parked car at the end of the street.
“Do your thing,” she told Eric.
He grinned and broke into the car in less than thirty seconds and had it hotwired in no time.
