Page 12 of Jayce

I half shift my face while those around us remain distracted by the moon eclipsing the sun.

The coward takes a step back. “This isn’t over.”

I wish it were, but I know he’s speaking the truth. They’ll come for Shay and Priscilla.

Neither of us waits for him to slink away before we hop in the truck.

I resist the temptation to drive away without delay. We have a better chance of getting far from them in the traffic.

Priscilla curls into Anjal’s arms. Shay turns to me. “We heard every word, so don’t you dare try to pretend like that was nothing.”

I hadn’t considered hiding the truth from either of them. They need to know what’s coming.

I run my hands through my hair.

“We’ll wait for others to leave, and hopefully they won’t be able to follow us. They’ll know we’re from Louisiana because of my license plate, but it’s a big state. They’ll call your father, who will tear the state apart looking for you.”

“Does that mean he didn’t abandon us?” Shay quietly asks.

I reach for her hand. She doesn’t pull away. “That’s what is sounds like, but it also seems like you’re better off that he didn’t raise you.”

“What about our mother?”

“I know you have questions. More questions than you had before, but we can’t seek the answers. Not alone. I’ve never heard of a Minotaur ever promising their child to another. It would never work. The mating call wouldn’t allow it. That’s not a herd you’ll ever be safe in.”

“What are we going to do?” Priscilla asks from the back seat.

How do we answer her? I don’t know myself. Anjal pulls her tighter against him.

The masses pull away. I start the truck and merge in between the cars. Anjal and I both watch the Jeep the other Minotaur climbed into.

I’ll drive the entire country before I lead them to our labyrinth.

Chapter 9

Shay

We’ve been driving for hours in silence. Jayce feels confident that he lost the Jeep following us, but we’ve yet to stop for a bathroom break or food.

I’m learning what fear smells like. The four of us reek of it.

Jayce pulls up to my apartment without bothering to ask me what I want. “Pack what you need. You’re coming home with us for now.”

My nature screams at me to argue, but I know I don’t have a choice.

Everyone follows me inside. There’s safety in numbers.

My laptop is back at Priscilla’s, so I just stuff some extra clothes into a bag. I also pack copies of my two books for Jayce.

With a sinking feeling that I’m never coming back, I take one last look at the place that Priscilla and I lived in for almost a decade.

“Willow Wardwell sent me her address,” Anjal tells us.

“What do we need a witch for?” Priscilla asks.

Anjal’s hand strokes her cheek. “A protection spell might keep them from finding you.”

“Oh,” we say together.

---