I keep attacking, and I know his face must be red, numb, damaged. I keep going as my arms ache, smashing snow and ice both to his skin.
But a scream pierces the night and I freeze.
It’s my mistake.
“You fucking bitch.” He tries to flip us, grabbing my wrists as he shifts his body weight.
I’m momentarily airborne, but I know if I get underneath him, he might suffocate me in the snow.
If his words didn’t prove it, his actions now do.
He did it.
And he’ll hurt them too.
I yank my arm out of his grip with all the strength I have. His gloved fingers slip on my coat. I don’t hesitate. I get to my feet and spin, turning back toward the house.
I run as fast as I can, sprinting, cold air biting at my lungs, my face, but it must be nothing to how he feels with all that snow. All that ice. I hope I’ve hurt him. Nothing conflicting knots in my chest now.
The open gate is ahead. There are no more screams and I don’t know where anyone is except Nolan. I hear him at my back.
No. You can’t have me. Only they can.
I’m almost to the gate. Which means I’ll be close to them. The house. I’ll call Detective Lincoln and I’ll?—
I’m snatched backward. I slip and fall. The ice beneath the powdered snow slams against my knees and a gasp leaves my lips. A body falls on top of me.
No.
I won’t let myself flatten. Then he has me. Then he’ll hurt them.
I use all the burning muscle in my lower body to stagger up, throwing my shoulder back against him and forcing him off balance, sliding behind me.
I run. I don’t look back. He grabs at my coat again but I easily tear away and he swears under his breath.
Then I hear it.
My angel. Sylvan’s voice, wild and lost. “Neve! Neve! Where are you? Come back!”
And I charge ahead faster.
Nolan’s footsteps fall away.
Quicker.
Snow churns beneath my boots.
Then I see them. And I sprint as fast as I can, throwing myself into both of their arms as they grab onto me like I’m something they can’t lose.
SIXTY-FOUR
NEVE
I’m sore as I sink down onto the bench, the entire arena empty, cold, and with that peculiar rink scent that I’m slowly getting used to.
It’s New Year’s Eve, and this takes the place of making resolutions. Tonight we have plans to go out with Karter, Cynthia, Tye, Edmond and his boyfriend, and maybe Tasia, if she gets her shit together.
Turns out, it was the guy she’s seeing who jerked her away from the camera. Faust and Sylvan had a “talk” with both of them. She was shit-faced, he was pissed off, and I don’t know how either of them ended up alive, but when they saw me running, they had bigger things to worry about.
