“Stupid bitch,” he spits in my face.
I taste blood. I slam my knee up, trying to get him off of me. But my strength is not what it was.
I blink and Delaine’s weight is off me. I’m staring at Jace beating him.
I scramble to my feet, just as Luca moves past me to throw a punch at Butch, knocking him back to the ground.
“I think that’s enough,” Noah says to Jace.
Jace’s shoulders rise and fall. “These two touched her. It won’t be enough.”
Luca pauses, then kicks Butch in the ribs.
“Felix, Kellan.” I turn towards the door, “Get these two to transport.”
“Aw, really?” Felix whines. “Can’t we just call some grunts?”
“No, I need to make sure they get back.” I roll my neck, rubbing my side.
Jace’s gaze snaps to me immediately. He’s in front of me in a heartbeat. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.” I pat his shoulder and move past him.
Noah has already moved to the kids, lowering himself to their level, voice calm. The girl is staring at me. Her gaze is wide, unblinking.
I wonder if she thinks I’m going to hurt her. I kneel slowly, a few feet away from her. Keeping my eyes on hers. She flinches when I shift forward, but she doesn’t pull away completely. Her lips tremble.
“Hi there.” I keep my voice low. “I’m Isobel. I’m not going to hurt you.” I keep my hands in her vision.
She stares.
“Are you hurt?” I look down at her hand, the broken finger is swollen, skin red and angry.
She nods.
“Iz, we gotta move.” Jace’s voice sounds empty still. All the rage melted away.
I look over my shoulder, shooting him a look.
“Okay.” I turn back around. “Those two guys, that’s Felix and Kellan. They’re good friends of mine. I trust them to watch my best friend in the whole wide world.”
I watch her eyes widen and shoot over to the guys.
“They won’t hurt you, I promise.” I try to catch her gaze so she can see the truth in my eyes. “But you need to let them get you out of here.”
She blinks. I wonder if she even heard me. Maybe she can’t understand me.
“Okay.” Her voice is so soft, I almost miss it.
I give her a small smile. “Great.” I stand, offering her my hand.
She looks at my hand like it’s a foreign object. Then after a moment, she takes it.
“I will find you later, okay?”
She dips her chin once.
“Alright, team lets move. Felix, Kellan, call for backup to get her out of here.”
