Page 58 of Break Out the Girl

Unless the feelings I have from my Quo family. Is that love?

They are the warmest best sensations I’ve ever had. From Layla and Sky’s friendship, to Tally’s protection and caring.

Even London.

François?

I don’t know.

All I’m sure of is that I’m entirely unequipped for whatever is happening to my heart right now.

We keep moving towards the coastline as the engine gives an ominous splutter. Tally mutters something under his breath and lowers our speed. As we get closer, I can make out a rocky cove. “There.” I point to a small wooden jetty with a timber boathouse attached. Tracking my eyes upward, I see a path leading from the jetty up to a house on the hillside.

I squint at the house, but it’s too far out to see any detail or movement. But one thing occurs to me. The sun is already almost down, and it’s so gloomy because of the thick cloud.

Wouldn’t the lights be on by now if the place was occupied?

The house stands completely dark. Please, Gods.

Cut us a fucking break.

After ten more minutes, Tally cuts the power, letting the jet boat’s momentum carry us silently toward the wooden slip. The hull bumps against the old tires lining the jetty with a soft thud.

“London?”

My faun is already leaping off the boat, taking a rope with him. He ties off the line with practiced speed.

“OK, kids, time for departure.”

Pepper and Sheena don’t respond, but Basil is already handing Ricky over to London, then immediately dropping down to the two girls, holding out his hands.

I watch as they reach out in perfect synchronicity and entwine their fingers with his. He has their trust, while we are just more adults.

And adults, in their terrible world, are devils.

“Should I gather up anything to take with us?” I ask as Tally takes Lil' Hare.

“Nah, we’ll come back to the boat if we need anything. I think for now you all should gather in the boathouse. I’ll run up the path and see if anyone’s home.”

I nod, and the next second he shifts, his beautiful wolf disappearing up the set of rocky steps.

“Come on, kids.” We crowd into the damp rickety building, the air smelling of damp wood, stagnant water, and engine oil. London gently sets Ricky down on a stack of old sails in the corner, but the moment his hands leave the little boy's body things go south.

A series of terrifying gasps rips from Ricky’s throat. It’s like he can’t breathe.

I rush towards him as the boy begins to shake violently. A seizure?

His entire body goes rigid, teeth chattering as a gray pallor washes over his face. I’ve no clue what’s happening, what I should do, so I follow my instincts and pull the boy into my arms, rocking him.

London squats beside us as Ricky doubles over, heaving and retching. Yellow bile spills from his mouth and I lean him forward so it dribbles onto the wooden floorboards.

I look at London, praying he has some answers. “What’s happening?”

“Little man could be in shock,” he murmurs.

I wrap the raincoat more firmly around Ricky, trying to keep any heat in. London strokes the little boy’s hair. “He’s freezing, Kitten, let me.”

As my faun starts warming Ricky with his body heat, Basil leaps to his feet, pulling off his torn linen shirt. “Here, give him this too.”