“Run!” he yelled.
The hellhound charged, and I braced for the savage attack. But instead, it crashed into a wall of darkness. A frustrated snarl shook the church. Eli stepped forward, shadows unfurling like mist across the ground, winding around the beast like ropes, keeping it in place.
The hair on my head stood on end as a tingling sensation started in my fingers and spread to my toes. The air hummed with energy, a crackling charge just waiting to strike.
Grey didn’t miss the opportunity. His gaze locked onto the hellhound, eyes like wells of black, and power surged around him. Sparks danced across the collar, streaking down his arms. A bright light erupted, and a mass of raw energy tore through the beast.
Grey’s legs buckled.
Wood splintered and shattered as the shock sent the hellhound crashing into the pews. I scrunched my nose at the smell of singed fur and burned flesh. I expected the hellhound to be deep-fried, but its right ear twitched. I prayed it was only a residual shock from being electrocuted.
“Grey!” I dropped to my knees, cupping his face between my palms.
“You guys all good?” Eli asked, breathlessly. The shadows retreated around my feet as he approached. I’d never seen Eli use that much power. Blood coated his palms as shadows swirled around him like snakes, ready to attack any threat.
I gave him a thumbs up as Grey grunted, rising on unsteady legs. “Is everyone ready to get the fuck out of here, now?”
“Yes,” we all said in unison.
The walk to the car was painstakingly slow, but after what felt like an eternity, we finally made it.
“Here. Take my car.” I tried to toss Emory the keys to my SUV, but they slipped from my fingers and crashed onto the asphalt of the parking lot.
“Nice toss,” Grey groaned, leaning against his Camaro.
“Maybe if my hands weren’t slick with your blood, they wouldn’t have slipped.”
Eli’s eyes darted back and forth between us. Watching. Assessing. Not missing a single detail of our interaction.
“You got something to say?” Grey dug his own keys from his pocket.
“No.” Eli shook his head.
“I like him.” Grey tried and failed to open the door.
I reached out my hand and motioned for him to fork over the keys. “You’re in no condition to drive.”
Grey winced and begrudgingly settled in the passenger seat, muttering a string of curses as he tried to shut the door. I gave it a little bump with my hip, helping it slam shut.
“Want us to follow you?” Emory offered, hesitating before getting into the SUV.
“No, we’ll be okay.” I pulled her in tightly for a hug. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“I’ll crash with Emory tonight,” Eli said. “Best to let my dad cool off before going home anyway.”
“Tomorrow.” I gave her another quick hug and wrenched the Camaro’s door open. The damn thing was so heavy.
“You can drive a stick, right?” Grey asked, seeing my hesitation in the driver’s seat.
“Probably.” I shrugged like it was the easiest thing to do in the world.
“That was a yes or no question.” Grey reached for the keys, trying to take them back.
“I got this.” I’d driven Eli’s old pickup truck once, and I might have stalled at a red light and cried until Eli switched spots with me, but that was like five years ago.
Well, here goes nothing.
I put the car in neutral and pushed down on the clutch and brake. By some miracle it started. I shifted the car into first gear, and off we went.
