It’s like I was born to move in this environment.
Theo slides onto her knees next to the girl. “Hey, I’m Theo. Your Aurora, right? Your brother asked us to come and get you.”
She looks up at us, top lip raised in a sneer. Yep, that's Cosmo's sister, alright. “I think I’ve broken my G-g-godsdamn stupid fucking ankle,” she growls. “So d-d-dumb. Piss, balls, shit.”
“No problem,” Theo says, all cute and reassuring. “Me and Maximus are getting you out of here.”
Me and Maximus. Maximus and me.I like the way that sounds. We could do a sequel to that dog movie.
And yeah, I’m crushing on Donovan’s girl, but I don’t feel one ounce bad about it. We’ve had Amirene announce that I’m part of Theo’s A-Team, so if the divine lady statue gives me the thumbs up, who am I to fight fate?
“MAX!”
Oops. Got distracted.
Theo glares at me—sexily. “You’ll need to carry Aurora.”
I look down and see her foot is completely fucked. “Yikes, that must fucking hurt.”
Baby-Drakeward gives me the stink-eye. “No shit, d-d-dickwad. And where’s my fucking brother? My phone is completely d-d-dead.”
One of the servers stumbles past. “Cell phone reception’s been blocked—it’s anarchy! Run!”
I watch the little dude run towards the exit. A flaming bottle flies at him, and the server twists, grabbing it mid-air, then throws it towards an ice sculpture. Nice work, he must be one of those bar-tenders who juggle elaborate cocktail shit.
Another couple runs past. The woman in a long jeweled gown stumbles and grabs for her husband’s hand.
“Stupid bitch,” he snarls at the woman. “Find your own way out.”
No bueno.
In a flash, I’m in front of the old fuck. One punch to the jaw, hard but not enough to knock him out cold. “Get your lady to safety, prick. NOW!”
Ha-ha. He looks like he’s going to shit his pants, but does as I tell him, turning around and pulling his missus to her feet.
“Maximus,” Theo shouts from behind me.
Right, gotta look aftermyladies. I crouch down and pick up Aurora, who winces in pain, then does some more scowling. She and Cos are two peas in a grumpy pod.
“Which way?” Theo yells over the din.
Scanning the room, the old hound-senses activate again. I know exactly the path to take. “Hold the back of my jacket,” I tell Theo. “And stay low.”
We circle a clashing group where blood and fists are flying, then flatten ourselves against a wall just in time to avoid a brick whizzing by.
When the smoke shifts for a second, Theo cries out and clutches my arm.
“Donovan!”
I can hear the frantic pounding of her heart.
“I just saw him,” she screams.
I look where she’s pointing, but only see a burning grand piano and several protestors brandishing Molotov cocktails—yikes.
And…incoming.
I push her to one side as a bottle smashes on the wall beside us. The flames gobble up the wallpaper. Next move? Again, the world slows down for me.
