Page 102 of Break Out the Girl

Layla’s dad is on his knees, weak, exhausted, and pulling hopelessly at the shock collar.

Fuck.

“François!”

The snake turns, reading the situation immediately. François places his hands on Jim’s heavy black collar. But his magic is weakened, the green aura hardly visible.

Fuck, this is all taking too long, but how can I leave Lay’s dad behind?

London tugs at my shirt, still holding Sky. “Get her to the car,” I tell him, then look down at Rory’s white face.

“HURRY!” I scream to the snake.

“I’m trying, bâtard de loup!” Electricity sparks around Jim’s neck, making him whimper. London is through the hole with Sky now and we exchange terrified glances. “RUN, LONDON.”

Jim screams as the collar-device sizzles with blue sparks then breaks into two.

I don’t wait, just start running again, following London. “Keep with me, Rory. Keep with me.”

Tearing through the forest tracks, I see the LandRover in the distance. Nearly there. I can feel François and Jim close behind me.

Basil’s head snaps up when he sees us, immediately starting the engine.

London throws open the rear door and clambers in with Sky. I push Rory on top of the faun. “Take her.”

Basil scrambles over the center console back into the cargo area, as Jim heaves into the passenger seat beside me, his breath coming in ragged, painful wheezes.

As soon as François squeezes next to London, I peel out, fishtailing in the mud.

Risking a glance behind me, I see London cradling Rory’s head, tears rolling down his face.

“Where are we going, Tally?” Jim pants. “The estate guards will be on us any minute.”

There’s only one place I can think of.

“Home.”

Mom is the best healer in the area, probably all North Havengard. If anyone can help Rory, it’s her. I know it’s a risk to go there, but it’s the only choice I can think of.

I steer the heavy Rover onto the main highway, the wipers slapping uselessly against the torrential downpour.

“I thought you said your parents’ house would be being watched,” François hisses.

“It might be, but so what? If Rory dies, nothing matters. Going back to Quo for the rest of my life doesn’t matter if I can’t save her.”

A cold draft spills down my spine. “Do you not think I am of the same mind?” he hisses. “But another battle will delay treatment. She needs help now.”

Gods damn him. “And that’s what I’m trying to fucking get her. You have a better suggestion?”

There is a pause, then he grunts one word. “Non.”

“Then keep your opinions to yourself.”

The vehicle falls silent, save for the roaring engine and Sky’s soft whimpers.

I look in the rearview mirror, my gaze locking onto Aurora. Her short hair is flattened to her forehead, black, blistering burns on her pale skin smoking slightly in the damp air.

It feels like her soul is slipping away with every second.