Page 131 of Until We Burn
Stella’s handflies over my mouth. Kai’s name scrapes my throat.
“Don’t react,” Stella whispers in my ear. “Don’t reactat allor your whole secret falls apart.”
Lust rounds up behind Kai and hauls him up by the arms. Tears burn in my eyes.
No, no, no!
Simon approaches Kai and swings his arm back.
“Agh, fuck!”
Simon crumples against the table, clutching the back of his neck.
Wallace stands behind him with a broom brandished high. “Leave my friends alone!” he shouts.
Kai fervidly searches for me. I shrug out of Stella’s grip and race towards him. The floor bangs beneath my heels.
We need to get out of here.
“Diana! Behind you!” Stella shouts.
I dart around just as Stella leaps onto one of the Vipers and tackles him to the floor. The Viper twists his body, throwing Stella off him. She lands on the floor with a thud.
“Stella!”Rowan’s voice clashes with mine.
The Viper advances on her.
Rowan rushes past me. He thrusts Stella behind him and punches the Viper back.
My head whips around in realization. The party had stopped. Down in the pit, three other Vipers and Griffins are fighting. Security shouts around us.
“There you are.”
Arms lock around my neck and drag me backwards. Fear skitters over my body. I kick out, twisting, writhing, and ramming my elbows back.
“Let me go!”
Kai snaps around. “Diana!” His eyes pale before they go black with rage. He surges towards me.
Suddenly, an Angeline Vivienne heel darts past my shoulder.
“Get away from her!”
“Ow—fuck!”The Viper’s grip springs apart. I grip the stair railing and whirl around. He tumbles down the stairs where Sophia stands with a single heel in her hand.
She gawks up at me as she races up the stairs. “Diana, what are you doing here?” she shouts.
“I—”
“Simon, please!”
My skin prickles. I snatch Sophia’s heel and twist around.
Andrea has wedged herself between Kai and Simon. The lights cut over the tears streaking her face.
“Don’t hurt him,” she begs. “Let’s just go, okay?”
“Get the fuck out of my way.” Simon sidesteps her. He grabs Kai by the collar and wrenches him back. Kai stumbles into the glass barricade with a groan.
