Page 52 of Ruthless Fae
With one last glance, I pushed off the boat and flew back toward the island.
Chapter Twenty-One
I flewtoward the island without looking back. If I did, I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my resolve and do the right thing. Escaping had seemed like the only option just a moment ago, but I had been lying to myself. I couldn’t leave all those who the Habermanns had tortured and turned into mutants. The siblings had only their own selfish, evil gains in mind, and I had to help those still in their clutches.
Even though I had suffered, what I’d been through could not compare to what Sinasre, Bael, and others had endured. No one would come and rescue these ill-treated, poor souls; it was the reason they ended up on this island in the first place. The twins had made sure to capture Supernaturals who had no family, no one to ask after their well-being, no one to care if they lived or died. People who were much worse than me because, even though I’d lost my home, I’ve been lucky enough to meet humans who had come to my aid. Though Charlie and her friends were now dealing with the consequences of their noble acts, defending the Supernatural Academy from whatever attack the Habermanns had unleashed on its students, and Dean McIntosh... gone somewhere, perhaps still on the island, trying to find the fountain that would cure the members of the wretched mutant army.
They couldn’t help, so I had to.
No, I couldn’t simply save myself while others suffered without hope. Maybe it was stupid. Maybe it was suicide. But if I managed to save at least one life, then it would be worth it.
Turning my thoughts back to the here and now, I scanned at the dock as it came back into view, then activated my glamour, and flew at a safe distance from the guards’ shack, scanning the shore for signs of activity. A moment later, I found them back at the shack. I could see them through the window as they appeared to argue. Had they alerted their superiors of our escape? It didn’t seem like anyone would take chase anytime soon. Perhaps, the men were scared of the consequences of their failure.
As I flew toward them, I mulled over my plan. I hadn’t left my friends on impulse alone. I had an idea in mind to help the mutants’ cause. The dome needed to come down in order for anyone to go in and help, and I intended to get that done. Except, I needed a weapon, and the guards at the shack certainly had them.
Still invisible, I landed thirty yards away from the small structure to avoid alerting the men with the whirring of my wings. Lucky for me, the motion lights were already tripped and blazing, though the alarm was off. I needed to be careful not to alert them to my presence again. I tiptoed closer until I heard their voices, approached the window, and peered inside.
“They’re gonna lynch us, Karl. We let them escape,” one guard said, a man with a red face and pale brown eyes.
“Ain’t no one lynching me. I’ve told you that. I’m outta here.” The second guard was rifling through a drawer, searching for something. A moment later, he came up with what looked like a metal spike.
“What are you going to do with a screwdriver?” Red Face asked.
“I’m gonna hotwire that boat.” He pointed to a smaller vehicle than the one we stole. “That’s what.” Karl started to walk out of the shack.
Red Face stood in his way. “You’re just going to make things worse. You don’t think they’ll find us?”
“At least I’ll live another day. You can stay here if you want. So either come with me or get outta my way.”
Red Face debated, his eyes shifting from left to right. As the guards stood there, I thought of how to steal the handguns they carried at their waists.
“Damn, you’re right,” Red Face said at last. “Let’s go.”
Good, they were leaving. Maybe, I would be able to find another weapon inside the shack. My eyes roved around but found nothing. With frustration, I realized I couldn’t let the men leave without taking one of their guns. My plan was deranged, but it would be even worse without a weapon.
As the two guards walked out of the shack, I came around the corner, watching as they walked toward the dock with firm, determined steps.
Shutting my whirling thoughts down, I simply acted. Fast on my feet, I dashed forward, aiming for Karl’s weapon. I sensed the moment that he heard me, paused, and started to turn around. Before he could, I jumped into the air, beat my wings as fast as I could, and slammed both hands against his back, pushing him with all my strength and momentum.
He went staggering forward and fell on top of his companion. They collapsed on the dock, one on top of the other.
Wasting no time, I went for the handgun at Karl’s waist. I pulled on it, but it didn’t come out. I tried again, but Karl’s arm shot out and knocked my hand away.
With a curse, he rolled over and jumped to his feet, eyes roving all around. “What the fuck?” He dexterously unsnapped a strap from the holster, pulled out his gun, and aimed blindly. “Stay away!” His voice broke as he brandished his weapon around.
I crouched low on the wooden planks, afraid he might start shooting blindly.
His partner was on his feet now, his weapon drawn. “What the hell was that?”
“Someone pushed me,” Karl answered, his eyes wild, his index finger tight on the trigger. His panic was hanging by a thread. I could see it clearly. He would snap at any moment.
I considered wrestling for one of their guns, but I knew I couldn’t beat these men. They would kill me. If I fought them now, it would defeat the purpose of leaving my friends, of leaving Vaughn.
That was when I noticed what they’d called a screwdriver lying on the dock. The tool had a bright red handle and a cylindrical metal shaft that ended into a flattened tip. It didn’t compare to a gun or even a knife, but it was better than nothing, and it would serve my plan all the same.
Springing forward, I flew toward the screwdriver, snatched it, and kept going. One of the guards stuck his foot out at the sound of my wings and caught me in the chin. I winced at the pain but kept flying past the dock, skimming over the water.
Shots rang out—some wild and high, others coming too close for comfort, breaking the surface of the ocean, and disappearing in the darkness.
