Page 72 of Rebel Fae
As if reading my thoughts, Vinya said, “Don’t worry, my cloaking spell is impermeable to bullets.”
I gave her a nod as we rushed through the wide garage door while bullets whizzed and a few even sizzled against the protective spell that surrounded us. When we got outside, Vinya took a sharp right and ran faster, one hand extended toward Vaughn as she floated him away while the other kept the shimmering protection spell around us. I matched the new pace at Vaughn’s other side while marveling at her skill.
But we weren’t out of the woods yet. With every pounding step, pain shot up my back. I tried to ignore the limp weight of my broken wing, but it was difficult. It made me feel unbalanced as if at any moment I would teeter and fall over. Pushing that awareness away, I tried to focus on running.
Shouts and orders to follow us came from inside of the garage. Ahead of us, a group of about a dozen, all the males and females who had been fighting inside the building just a few moments ago, waited. They were close to the shimmering edge of the Habermann’s magical dome, restlessly shifting from foot to foot. What were they waiting for?
I immediately spotted the vampire female carrying Arryn and Courtney, one in each arm.
“Tally,” Arryn cried out, desperately stretching her thin arms in my direction, but the female held her fast.
“Raul, hold the wolf,” Vinya told a massive male almost as big as Bael. She deposited Vaughn in his outstretched arms. I had to fight the urge to yell at him not to touch Vaughn.
They’re helping you escape, Tally.
I bit the inside of my cheek as Vinya pointed her magical hands toward the dome and released a red, glowing spell that opened a wide hole in the shimmering barrier. Everyone rushed through the opening at once. Nervous, I ran across with my eyes closed, the strange tingling magic tracing over my skin like a million locust wings.
Safely through, I glanced up. Once we were all on the other side, the witch clenched her hands into fists, and the opening snapped closed with a buzz of energy.
Were we safe?
Through the dome’s shimmering surface we could see the guards rush out of the building, running in our direction, shooting. I ducked, putting an arm up, but the bullets hit the dome and instantly disintegrated. Once they realized that way was futile, they turned and ran back into the garage. They’d likely exit the dome the way Karen and I had gotten in. It would only take them a few moments to besiege us again.
“Everyone gathered and touch each other,” Alonzo commanded, but it seemed the members of his group already knew the drill and were already forming a circle and holding hands.
Alonzo wrapped a hand around my wrist and nodded at Vinya. Wasting no time, she grabbed one of Vaughn’s paws with one hand, then gripped my shoulder with the other. That familiar sensation of falling to pieces came over me, and I’d never been grateful for its awful effects.
When I blinked again, we had transported away from the battle. The entire group stood inside a large, sterile-looking space with white walls, zero furniture, tilted windows on three of its walls. Heavy fog floated outside the windows, making me wonder where on the island we’d escaped to. Or where were elsewhere entirely? Oh, gods, what about the others? Panic surged in my chest, paralyzing me. Members from our party quickly peeled away from the group and ran out of the room, disappearing through a set of doors at the wall with no windows. It seemed they had much to do and no time to waste.
I stared around, disoriented.
Where are we?!
The woman who was carrying Arryn and Courtney set them down on their feet. Arryn hurried to my side and wrapped her arms around me, sobbing and shaking. Her little wings trembled behind her as I hugged her back. Courtney rushed to Vaughn. I wonder what kind of Super the man who held him was. Vaughn was massive, and the man barely appeared strained, even if his arms were bulging with the effort.
“Cousin,” she said in a small voice, caressing the side of his muzzle. She had his green eyes and looking into them sent a pang of longing through me.
Why wasn’t he waking up? His own healing abilities combined with Vinya’s magic should have been enough to set him right by now.
Courtney glanced up at the man who held Vaughn, her little face twisted in a worried expression. “Why is he sleeping?”
“We’ll take care of him, sweetie,” Vinya said, patting her head. Then she turned and started walking away. “C’mon, let’s take him to the infirmary.”
They had an infirmary? Thank the gods.
I followed, but Alonzo stopped me. “It’s best if you stay with the girls. They look terrified.”
I glanced down at them. Courtney had inched closer to us and Arryn had pulled her into a one-armed embrace. Tears were streaming down their cheeks, and they were trembling like scared mice. My gaze darted back to Vaughn as Vinya magicked him away through a door. I gathered the girls to follow, but Alonzo reassured me.
“He’s in expert hands. They’ll take care of him. Besides, you need help, too.” He gestured toward my torn wing. “C’mon, follow me.”
I did as I was told even as my heart seemed to split in two, wishing to be with Vaughn and the girls at the same time.
As we exited the room, I glanced back one last time and thought I saw a glimpse of blue sky through the thick fog outside the windows. Then, the door shut behind us, obscuring my view. We walked down a wide hall, passing many closed doors. There was no sign of the others.
“Where are we?” I asked, barely getting the words out of my parched mouth.
“Our headquarters.”
