Page 22 of Hell on Wheels

I swear to fuck, it’s going to be a fistfight over who gets to turn her over their knee.

Damon shakes his head as if to clear it and then says, “We’ll take turns staying near her as she glad hands through the crowd. Use the earbuds and keep your eyes peeled.”

My gaze swivels to each of my friends, not wanting to give into this idiocy, but also knowing that they won’t back me up if I try to lock Rogue in the house. “No one drinks tonight. Make it look good, but no drinking and, forfuck’s sake, watch for Fae dust ofanykind. Our peopleloveraves and we frequently flit through them, causing chaos to amuse ourselves.”

“You know that makes you all assholes, right?” Archie smirks at me, crossing his arms over his chest.

“We have an exponentially longer lifespan than humans, most shifters, and many magic users.” I walk over to Rogue and tug on one of the long anime style ponytails so I can get past her. “We have to amuse ourselves somehow. Now, go get dressed so we can get this over with.”

“You could have been a little less… obvious, you know,” I say to Rogue as we race along the cliffs towards the edge of town.

She pops that damned gum again, lolling her head to the side as she gives me a bored look. “Less obvious?”

“You look like a gamer geek’s cam girl tonight. I could give a fuck how you dress normally, but you dolled yourself up like a little raver when you’re going to wade through a crowd of drunken, drugged up idiots.”

“Rebel Elvis Kelly! Don’t youdaremake me responsible for others’ poor life choices. If anyone lays a hand on me, what I’m wearing will not absolve them. You know better than that.” Her arms cross over her chest and she stares out the window, fuming.

Sighing, I check the mirror to make sure the twins are following with Javi and Archie. “That’snotwhat I meant. I’m not making an excuse for a rapey asshole, sis. I’m saying you draw attention with your mere presence and in that outfit, it’s going to multiply. It will make it harder for us to protect you.”

“I. Don’t. Need. Protection,” she seethes.

“Damnit, Rogue!” I slam my hand on the steering wheel. “You almost died two days ago, so I’m pretty sure youfucking do!”

“Oh, here we go! Thegreat and powerfulRebel Kelly has descended from his throne on Mount Dickhead to pontificate to his naïve, weak little sister. All hail, the phony fucking king of Bay City.” Rogue rolls her eyes and throws up her hands, making me swerve a bit on the curves leading to the embankment below the bridge.

“You are agiant pain in the ass!” I yell back as I whip into a parking spot. “All I’ve ever done is try to be there for you and keep you safe, but allyou dois bitch and complain and act like a goddamnbrat!”

Her eyes are full of murder as she yanks her seat belt off and gets out of the car, slamming the door hard enough to rattle the frame. She walks toward the crowd without us, calling over her shoulder. “Getfucked, bigbrother!”

I don’t get out of the car; I simply disapperate and reapperate in front of her. “Don’t slam my doors, brat. And if you think you’restomping off on your own because we’re fighting, you’ve lost your mind.”

Rogue darts forward, standing toe to toe with me as she snarls, “You don’t own me, Rebel.” Before I can respond, she turns to the guys as they’re walking up behind us quietly. “Noneof you own me. I took care of myself at places like this before Mina’s betrayal, and I’ll do it again. Stop acting like any of you have a right to tell me what to do or when to do it.”

A chorus of protests echoes in the night, and I snort. “We have a right to want to keep you safe. We’re yourfriends, Rogue.”

“Obviouslynot,” she retorts. “Because none of you trust me. Sohasta luego, bandejos?2!”

A portal opens and all that’s left in her wake is a trail of glittering purple..

Son of a fucking whore. When did she learn to dothat?

I look over at the guys and they shrug, though I notice Angelo giving Damon a dirty look.

What is my sisterdoingto us?

Smile

Holy shit, I just did that! How?!

It was so weird. I was fighting with Rebel and I knew I wanted to get out of there… Suddenly, the picture of a portal appeared in my mind and then it popped up. I mean, it was probably stupid to walk through with no idea where it was taking me, but I never claimed to be perfect. His overbearing bullshit was killing me, and paired with all the pain inside of me from the betrayals, Ihadto get away.

Portals aren’t part of my magic. Sure, Fae can use existing ones to get to Faerie, and I have before, but… I can’t create them. Only the royals of the courts or their relatives can construct them, and since I know I’m not royalty, I have no fuckingcluehow I just did that. Hell, I don’t even know if I can do it again.

I’m a little scared to try. What if it takes me somewhere awful?

This one dropped me close to the stage. I look around, hoping to see some of my fellow Bombers. The Banshees are playing, and their drummer is related to one of our blockers.

“Hey, Rogue! Get your ass over here!”

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