Page 774 of Coal Hearts

Dust and plaster chips pummelled us from the ceiling. Windowpanes exploded outward. A few Masters fell to their knees in their haste to escape as the floor rolled beneath their feet.

Smoke billowed from the foyer, siphoning into the ballroom in one giant black cloud.

A loud snick and a mechanical groan and rain fell inside.

Sprinklers kicked in, drenching all of us as the detonations triggered the safety protocols of Victor’s castle.

Another BOOM.

Another blast and bang and thunder.

“Merde!” Victor snarled, staggering to his feet and glowering at the musty-smelling water pouring all over his decadent home. Favouring his left shoulder where a bullet had torn through him, his eyes locked onto Ily.

She swayed and gasped, blood seeping through her fingers.

“Ily!” I fought my cuffs. I threw myself off the couch, trying to dislodge whatever hooked me down.

It didn’t work.

My arms remained shackled, but I strained my legs.

Using my feet, I reached for her.

I had to protect her. Cover her with my body. He could stab me instead. Kill me instead—

She cried out as Victor snatched her by the hair again. Wincing in pain, he reached into his waistband where his favourite pistol usually lived. I braced to face my end. For him to shoot my reason for existing. For my heart to stop with hers.

Only...he scowled and looked at the floor.

His gun winked from where it’d fallen down the two stairs. His burgundy suit shone a darker red as he bled. I wished he’d been struck in the heart. I wished he’d just die.

My shoulders threatened to dislocate again, keeping me bound as I fought. “Victor, don’t. You’ve lost. It’s over—”

“Over?” He laughed. “Fuck, you still believe in fairytales.” Dragging Ily toward the steps, he snickered. “I’ll see you soon, Henri. Ilyana and I are going for a little—”

Someone fired.

The bullet grazed him, leaving a burn mark on his temple.

He staggered backward, true fear flaring his manic eyes.

Goddammit, he seemed immune to death. Protected by a higher source, coating him in Teflon so bullets just bounced the fuck off.

For a second, it looked as if he’d still try to get his gun. But another thunderous cannonade tore through the castle, sending wineglasses wobbling off tables and chairs falling over like ghosts.

Abandoning his weapon, he broke into a run and jumped off the stage closest to the doors and the deck, dragging Ily with him.

She screamed as she landed on all fours on the floor.

“Get up. Now!” Victor snarled, hauling her by her hair.

Choking from the sprinklers, she slipped and skidded as Victor dragged her toward the gardens.

“Don’t!” I fought and fucking fought.

I couldn’t stop him.

I couldn’t do a damn fucking thing to stop him from hauling her into the night.