Page 44 of Anywhere

Swerving to the left, I blocked the second bike from passing. Then pulled the wheel hard to the right and slammed into the front tire of the motorcycle on that side. It flew off the road, disappearing into a farmer’s field.

The thud of something hitting the back of the car made me jerk my head around. A bolt stuck through my rear window. One of them must have had a high-powered crossbow.

“Ya fuckin ruined me windie. Is dat how ya wanna play it?”

Placing my arm out to help hold Mari in place, I threw the car into neutral, then stomped on the brake. Tires squealed as the motorcycle behind me crashed into the back of the car. The driver flew over the roof and landed on the ground in front of me, rolling for several feet before coming to a crumpled stop. The other motorcycle managed to swerve and fly past.

Revving the engine, I tossed it into gear and punched the gas. The smell of burning rubber filled the car. I drove over the downed Hunter and sped after the last one standing.

“Let’s see how much ya like ta be followed,” I growled as we closed in on the bike.

The Hunter began weaving from one side of the road to the other, but I wasn’t new to this game and smirked as I shut the lights off. He looked back over his shoulder. His eyes were wide as he stared, but unfortunately for him, he couldn’t see in the dark like I did. I had just enough power riding me to see him clearly and feel his terror through the dark visor on the helmet as I revved the engine louder.

Smirking, I geared down and stopped. Waving as the idiot, still looking over his shoulder, drove right off the cliff and into the ocean below.

“Serves ya right, ya fuck.”

Putting the car in first, I made a wide turn and continued home. Reaching out, I touched Mari’s face. Her skin was burning up, and the twitching was getting worse.

“How much did ya take?” I asked as we pulled through the gates. All I got in response was a soft moan.

I wasn’t shocked to see Gregory or Belle outside, but I was surprised to see Rook sitting on the step. As soon as the car stopped, I hopped out and ran to the passenger’s side. Gregory might have been her father, but he’d never been good with the ill or injured. After his wife died, he became worse and could barely look at those who had a sniffle.

“Come on, beautiful,” I said softly, unbuckling her seatbelt and lifting her into my arms.

“Oh dear spirits,” Gregory said. His hand flew to his mouth, and his eyes squeezed closed. He turned away like he was going to be sick when he saw Mari’s face with black blood running from her nose and smeared across her cheeks.

“She needs an ice bath,” I said, jogging up the stairs.

“Rhys, where are ya goin?” Gregory asked.

“My room, it be closer to da kitchen. I need ice, as much as ya can git me,” I said and twisted my way through the halls until I stood outside my door. Before I could adjust Mari, Rook opened it for me.

My eyes locked with his. “Thanks,” I said.

“What can I do to help?” Rook asked.

“Plug da tub and turn on only da cold.” Carrying Mari into the washroom, I shrugged off my cape.

“Okay, now what?” Rook turned to face me with concern in his eyes as he stared at Mari’s body draped over my arms.

“I need ya ta hold ‘er,” and handed Mari off as gently as possible, then ripped off every piece of clothing other than my kilt.

“I don’t understand. What are you doing?” Rook asked as I took off her boots and pants, then pulled the hoodie over her head.

“Ya see da black on er face? Dat be demon blood. I need ta git it outta her system,” I said. “Stay ‘ere.”

I went to the closet where I had the last of my antidote stashed. Opening the box, I groaned when I saw only one bottle left. This had to work. Running back, I popped the cork and held Mari’s head up to pour the second bottle down her throat. I had to shake her head and rub her throat to force her to swallow. Scooping Mari from Rook’s arms, I stepped into the half-filled tub of freezing water. Luckily, I’d grown up where the water never got warm. If you wanted to swim and didn’t have a heated pool, you learned to bear the cold. There was no hesitation, and I sat down and stretched out my legs in the giant tub, holding Mari with her back against my body.

“I’m not asking because I’m jealous, but why are you getting in with her? Won’t that defeat the purpose of getting her cold?”

“Aye a little, but she will likely start seizing at some point. It be much harder ta keep her from slipping under da water an’ swallowing it down if I don’t hold her like dis.”

I smoothed back her long dark hair and gave the top of her head a chaste kiss. “Come on, Mari. Dinnie let dem ‘ave ya yet,” I whispered in her ear.

“I’m sorry. How did she end up fighting a demon?” Rook shook his head. “None of this is making any sense. You answer a question, and all I have is more questions.”

Gregory and Belle came rushing in, and Rook backed out of the way as they dumped four large buckets of ice cubes in the bath, then took off to get more. Once they were gone, I sighed and laid my head back against the wall.