Eaton and the others are standing in the doorway, eyes wide.
“The inn is on fire. They’ve found us. We have to go.”
* Cue:Ruin My Lifeby Zara Larsson
45
SERENA
Iheave open the window and stick my head out into the warm night air. Thick smoke clouds float toward us from the lower floors. I can see the flames licking up the side of the building, hear the screams as people flee out onto the lawn and the street beyond, choking and gasping.
A pack of golden soldiers waits below, dragging people out by the hair, thrusting the wanted flyers in their faces.
“Call your dragon,” Eaton demands.
I am here,Furi answers.
No, Furi. Stay away. It’s dangerous.
Says the witch dawdling inside of a burning building.
“No,” I say forcefully. “They have arrows. Probably blood ore. I’m not risking her.”
You need me.
I need you alive, and after what happened in Vod, I’m not taking any chances. If you get injured here, we’re fucked.
This is not negotiable. I am your defender,she insists.
And I am your rider. Now scram.
She whines, pushing against my command but finallyrelents.
“Do you have a better idea?” Eaton presses.
“I do,” Kai says. “I can get us out. Just stay close behind me.”
Heat smacks into us as we spill into the hall. Kai forges a path, dousing the flames with his affinity just enough to make it down a flight of stairs. We cling to each other as he blasts down the door of a second-story bedroom and throws open the window.
“Coast is clear,” he says, peering down.
That’s when a deep roar rattles the burning building, followed by shouted orders and commands to open fire.
“Fuck!” I hiss. Zadyn’s eyes lock on mine as he registers what’s happening.
What are you doing?! I told you to leave!
It’s called a diversion, Blackblood. Trust the process.
God damn it, Furi.
Off you go.
“Go,” Zadyn urges our friends. “Hurry.”
One at a time, we climb out the window, making the leap onto the soft ground below and breaking for the field ahead. I catch a flash of Furi’s wing sailing over the inn. My heart lodges in my throat as she swerves, evading the arrows shooting through the sky in pursuit of her. My friends have already scattered into the brush when a small voice rings out, freezing me in place.
“Daddy?”
