Page 116 of Trapped Truth

“Her list of names was a dead end.” I shake my head, certain it’ll be a waste of time.

“Victims, yes. But we haven’t covered other members of Madden’s entourage or the sleazebags he forced her to entertain across the globe. Somewhere in her mind, there’s a lead.”

“You can’t push too hard too soon.” Ember’s concern for Gracie is palpable.

“I know, love. But we’re running short on time and options here.”

Her exhale is audible, even from the driver’s seat. “I’ll see what else I can get out of her.”

“Thank you.”

With our glass skyscraper growing taller above us, I can practically feel the softness of my mattress cradling my exhausted body. Already yawning, my hand moves to reach for the garage’s security system through the half-open window.

Only I never get the chance.

Reality shatters into vivid snapshots as a ground-deep rumbling crackles through the SUV. The riotous symphony of rupturing glass and great, booming explosions devours us whole without spitting out any bones.

BOOM.

Somewhere above us, the sky illuminates, raining down rubble and flames like an almighty judgement from the heavens themselves. All I can see is a huge fireball racing outward where the top of the skyscraper kisses the darkening sky, devouring clouds and dusk alike.

“Explosion! Get down!”

Swerving hard from an onslaught of adrenaline, I narrowly miss bumping the kerb and mowing down the building’s security gate. We halt in a scissored tangle across the street, directly in the path of hellfire pelting debris from above.

Numbly, I hear someone shout, “BOMB!” before another round of ear-piercing crashes splits air particles faster than an atomic collision. Successive crashes echo through the chaos, halting traffic and creating panicked chaos in all directions.

“Get down!” I shriek as sheer horror consumes me.

Smoke erupts from the SUV’s collapsing bonnet when a large chunk of detritus smashes into it at high speed. The impact reverberates through the car, prompting several startled shouts and curses.

Slotting into reverse, I’ve flown our four wheels backwards faster than is safe when another huge chunk of plaster hits where we were parked then promptly bursts apart. Deadly shards of shattered glass follow, swirling with red-hot embers and falling ash.

“Get us out of here!” Warner screams amidst the madness.

“Hold tight! I’m going to floor it!”

“Go, go, go!”

The engine howls in protest as I slam my booted foot down to carry us farther back, dodging falling materials with every wheel spin. There’s no time to be gentle, throwing us all from side to side in bruising jerks.

Several cars around us are spinning just as wildly in an attempt to escape. I swallow an exclamation at the sight of two taxis smashing into each other, eliciting an agonising screech where metal twists and contorts, ripping innocent passengers to shreds.

“Brace!” I bellow the command.

Slamming on the brakes to throw the steering wheel into a hard turn elicits more cursing. The SUV whirls on the spot, placing the destruction unfolding behind us as I smash down on the gas to accelerate.

I’m only granted a quick look in the mirror to verify my teammates are intact before the road demands my attention. It’s a war zone. Terrified faces flash through spiderweb cracked windscreens, matching our own fear.

“Where was the explosion?” Warner tugs a gun from the locked storage, disarming the safety.

“I think it was our place.” Seething, I push past the raw heat in my chest to respond.

“That isn’t possible. Our home’s location has always remained secure.”

“Clearly it is possible!” Axel yells.

He’s half-folded over Ember, keeping her safely covered. One of the rear windows is blown out, leaving deadly spikes exposed, ready to slash any available flesh. We can’t take another direct hit.