Chills roll down my spine at his words, and I take another sip to calm my nerves. Chief Cloak’s phone rings and before he can pick up, Dad’s, Abernathy’s, and Steinbeck’s go off too.
“Speak,” Cloak demands on the speakerphone, not caring that others have to answer their phone also.
“Sir, there have been multiple sightings of what looks like cloaked figures, which we believe are Rebels, heading straight for Purgatory Prep right now!”
My body tenses up as my first thought goes to Rez and Moni—we left them there. Rez had messaged JP saying they were back from class and they were just going to chill for the night, so I know they’re home. Thankfully Knots is there with them, but as it was proven before, he can be taken out.
Fuck!
“Send the units; we are on our way,” Chief Cloak says and we all jump to our feet.
Dad ends his call and goes to the bookcase where he slides the panel open, revealing a portal connecting this room to his office in the Administration building.
“Where do you think you’re all going?” Abernathy asks us smugly.
“Where do you think?” Zeke replies sarcastically, setting down his drink.
JP pulls out his phone and sends off a quick text. I can only assume he’s letting Knox and Ryker know the situation.
“You’re not coming with us,” Steinbeck counters as he steps up to the portal.
“I would like to see you stop us. The woman I choose is there and helpless right now because of us. So, I’m going to get her and our sister. If you want, we’ll come back, but we are going one way or another,” I say, holding my ground.
My dad looks at me and then nods to the other men. “Let them come. We don’t have time to argue,” he says, and Steinbeck nods, walking through the portal first. Dad turns back to us three, “Be careful and come straight back here.”
We all agree, and he disappears next into the portal along with Chief Cloak.
Abernathy steps back and walks over to Zeke, pulling him in for a hug. The love and affection pouring out of Abernathy floors me for a moment until JP tugs on my sleeve to get my attention. He nods to the portal and my cheeks heat at being caught eavesdropping on a father and son moment, but I honestly couldn’t help it. As far as I remember, Zeke has never received a hug from his father before. My dad normally had to step up and give him that.
I pry my eyes away from the once in a lifetime event and get my head on straight before walking through the portal to rescue my girl.
ChapterFifty-Five
THUNDER HOOVES, ACTIVATE!
Rez
Have you ever picked up a baby rabbit where you can feel their heart beating against their chest and wondered if they could die from being that scared? Well, I’m telling you, as a person—Yes. You can. Every blind swing of my knife that doesn’t hit anything brings me one second closer to my heart exploding from pure fear.
Something brushed over my head, knocking me forward on all fours and losing my knife in the process.
Fuck!
Before I can even attempt to reach out in the direction I think my knife landed, a deafening crack rings out. Blue lightning spiderwebs along the ground illuminating the gray, wrinkled, clawed foot of the closest Abuhuku. Thunder rumbles in front of me as a blue hoof kicks out and sends the creature flying into something with a guttural scream and a crunch.
The sky lights up once again and reveals my unsuspecting savior. Standing in front of me, gouging the Abuhuku with antlers, and shooting dark blue lightning from his black hooves, is none other than Basilicus. The Thunder Stag is a sight to behold as he kicks, impales, and throws the Shifters around, and I take my opportunity to grab for the knife that’s within reach.
Through all the commotion, one Shifter decides to try a different tactic. I catch him crawling along the ground out of the corner of my eye, which is how I missed him getting so close. He shoots up, lunging for Basilicus. Without thinking I scream ‘NO’ and slash with my knife, cutting along his arm.
He screams in pain as blood gushes from the wound and turns to grab at me. I try to dodge but he manages to grab me right as Basilicus turns, ramming him in the gut with his antlers. There’s a brief tug at my back, and I realize he's stuck to my backpack.
Shit, he’s gonna take my crazy ass with him!
I quickly swing out of my backpack right as Bas drops his antlers and kicks the Abuhuku, taking my backpack with him.Thank God I was smart enough to put the thumb drive in my pocket, though why I brought it, I’m not sure.Bas stomps his hooves, grabbing my attention and bows low enough for me to reach his back.
Fuck yes, get me out of here.
Saying a silent prayer that I don’t cut myself, I slide my knife through one of the leather buckles on my thigh. I run up to him and swing myself up and onto his back, grasping hard onto his antlers. He turns suddenly, facing the mountain, and I have a split second to think I might just take my chances with the sticky bugs from the swamp before he jumps and climbs up to the first ledge of a thin landing. It’s so dark and thin I can’t even see it, but I throw my trust in Bas and just hope I don’t die.
