“Rodric! I was so worried when you weren’t right behind us. What happened? How bad is she hurt?”
“Fallen b-beam,” Rodric managed between coughs. He glanced at Jena’s leg and fear surged again. “It’s pretty deep. Will she bleed out if we remove it?”
“It’s okay, Jena, I’ve got you.” Avery put her hands above and below the wood, eyes closed. “Rodric, when I tell you, yank it out and then put pressure on it to slow the bleeding. Ready?”
“Avery, are you sure that’s—”
“Now!”
Scrambling, he did as she said, pulling the spike out and tossing it aside before pushing on the wound, feeling Jena shudder under his hands as she passed out from the pain. Sparkling heat shimmered over his hands as Avery poured healing magic into Jena’s leg. Glancing up, he remembered the growing crowd and shifted, blocking her from view with his body.
Avery trembled from the exertion but smiled. “She’ll make it.”
Rodric swallowed as he scanned the crowd. Damien was missing, as were both their mothers. “Where’s Mom? Did she make it out?”
“Not yet. Rodric…” Avery looked at him, eyes pleading.
Despair knotted inside him. No one could survive much longer in the house. “It’ll be okay, I’ll go.”
Taking a big gulp of fresh air, he dashed inside and collided with Roarke, who shoved a few survivors past him toward the door. Before Rodric could ask him where to go, the side wall of the house gave way to ravaging flames, causing a plume of smoke and debris to explode around them.
Roarke shoved him to the ground and covered him protectively as they waited for the debris to settle enough to move. Hauled to his feet again, Rodric stumbled after Roarke toward the center of the house.
“Help!” Damien’s voice sounded from under a fallen beam, his upper body crushed.
Heart racing, he helped Roarke free Damien.
“Get him out of here, I’ll try to get our mothers,” Roarke instructed, squeezing Damien’s shoulder before disappearing into the blazing house.
Half carrying another Zafar sibling, Rodric managed to get them outside, dropping down on the ground next to his friend once they made it to safety.
“Your brother is one scary guy.”
“Yeah, I know.” Damien gave a short laugh before choking on smoke. His hand tightened on Rodric’s arm. “Where’s Jena?”
“I got her out and Avery healed her. Jena is going to be fine.” He smiled as he happily shared the news that they’d succeeded. “We saved them.”
“Thank you.” Damien smiled, relief shining in his eyes that his twin was safe before they fluttered shut, his grip slackening.
“Whoa, stay with me!” He tried to keep his friend conscious, tapping his face and gripping his shoulder. “Damien! Your siblings are all out, but they’re going to need you. You have to stay awake.”
Avery knelt on the opposite side of Damien, her face draining of color as she assessed him. “He’s bad, Rodric.”
“I know.” He swallowed the tears. “Can you do anything for him?”
“Let me try.” Avery closed her eyes, laying gentle hands on his shattered chest.
A racking cough tore through Damien as Avery worked, and Rodric lifted him up so he wouldn’t choke on the black gobs oozing out of his throat—a very bad sign.
New fear, sharper and more distinct than before, pricked him as he watched the two people he loved most.
Eventually, Avery opened eyes that were frantic.
“There’s too much damage, I’m losing him.” Desperation filled her voice as she worked, the glow of magic never fading as she spoke. “Rodric, help me save him!”
“I can’t, I’m not like you!” Everything in him rebelled in pure, unadulterated panic. It filled him almost to bursting, a ball of intensity growing in his chest until he could barely breathe. No, no, no, this couldn’t be happening.
“Yes, you are.”
