Page 48 of A Brighter Yellow
“They really aren’t fancy,” he said.
She didn’t answer but grabbed Charlie by the arm. “OK, Charlie, one foot in front of the other, and then we’re out the door.”
Charlie gave her a look that said she knew she was being patronized.
“Don’t give me that look. The fact that you can’t argue with me right now just means you need the help,” said Anna, guiding Charlie toward the door.
“Thank you for coming to get me,” whispered Charlie.
“Best friends forever,” said Anna. “I’ve got a necklace that says that somewhere.”
Charlie almost laughed and then winced. “I was so happy,” she said, “when my necklace lit up. I knew you would find me then.”
At the door, a warlock abruptly sat up, looking dazed. Ochre kneed him in the face as they walked by, barely breaking stride. Anna tried not to giggle. Her mate was so hot. She recognized that she was probably a little hysterical. Shit had gone a bit sideways. But she didn’t seem to be able to stop the irrational little bubble of happiness that was lodged just behind her breastbone.
“Up the stairs,” said Ochre, pointing. “Out the front door.”
Anna nodded and wrapped an arm around Charlie’s waist. The stairs were epic torture for Charlie, and Anna debated whether or not to simply pick her up. By the time they made it to the top, Charlie was drenched in sweat. Anna pulled Charlie toward the exit, where she kicked open the door and ran with heavy feet out onto the dirt and gravel parking lot. Three Warlock bikers came out of the shed in front of her, and Anna paused. Ochre arrived beside her and fired the gun she’d handed him. To her surprise—although it really shouldn’t have been shocking considering he was a dead-eye with the bow—the biker collapsed. The other two looked at their fallen comrade and then reached for the guns they kept strapped to their legs. There was a roar of an engine and then the sound of splintering.
A black SUV barreled down the drive. It headed straight for the warlocks, who dove out of the way as it skidded to a stop, spraying gravel. Three men came out of the vehicle, guns in front of them. Their movements were practiced and efficient.
Ochre scooped an arm around the other side of Charlie, and together they ran toward the SUV. Anna felt lead-footed but concentrated on getting to the black car. In her head, she counted the seconds.
Steve, an AR-15 in front of him, reached back and opened the back door of the SUV without looking.
“When—” began Ochre.
There was a muffled boom.
“Right,” said Ochre. He dove into the backseat and held out his arms. Anna shoved Charlie at him, and he lifted her into the car. Anna climbed in as she felt the ground under her feet heave upward.
There was another boom, and black smoke began to leak out the cargo bay doors.
“In, in, in!” yelled Steve. The three men dove into the SUV and it launched into motion, carrying them away.
Episode 24
Through the Woods
Ochre
“We’ve got incoming police,” said the guy in the very back, who was crouched in the space between the hatchback and the seat. He had his hand over his ear, listening to something from an earpiece.
“Slow down,” said Ochre. “Drive the speed limit. They’ve got nothing on you.”
“Unless they check the security feed,” muttered Anna.
“We cut that,” said Steve. “We’ll keep going.”
“No,” said Ochre firmly. “We need to get out.”
“You can’t get out,” said Steve. “You need medical attention.”
“I’m OK totravel,” said Ochre, firmly. “Without us, they’ve got nothing on you.”
Steve looked at them from the front seat, his face serious.
“You’re bleeding,” he said.
