Page 82 of Forsaken Oath

I grip the wheel tighter, my pulse pounding in my ears.

Four hours of endurance driving, trying to avoiddisruptions. It sounds simple enough, but I know better than to underestimate the Gauntlet at this point. If it were the middle of the afternoon, I’d just stay in this parking lot and hang out in a store for four hours, but being nearly midnight screws that plan.

Unless I can find a twenty-four-hour diner. Now there’s an idea.

A red light blinks to life on my GPS, the screen illuminating with a map of Stonefield. The radio crackles again, and the same voice begins the countdown.

“Five. Four. Three. Two. One.”

My breath catches in my throat. The race has begun.

I makeit an hour before I see a cop.

My heart leaps into my throat as the police cruiser turns onto the street behind me. The lights aren’t on, but that doesn’t mean shit. For all I know, they’re running my plates right now. They’ll come back clean, of course, but I’m participating in an illegal street race competition. It’s a fucking gray area if I’ve ever seen one.

Fuck getting booted from the Gauntlet, if I get arrested, they could take away Vivie. And give her to Darla.

Self-loathing and regret twine around my throat, squeezing tight until I feel like I can’t get enough air. I roll down my window a little and pray the fresh air will reset me. Adrenaline surges through my veins, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turn white.

“Think, Eloise.”Think.

I force myself to take a deep breath, pushing down the rising panic. I can’t afford to lose my head now. Not when I’ve come this far.

I scan the street ahead, searching for somewhere, anywhere, to duck out of sight. The cop car inches closer, and my heart pounds against my ribs. At the last second, I spot a narrow alley between two brick buildings. Without a second thought, I yank the wheel to the right, tires squealing as I whip into the alley.

The nose of my car just clears the alley entrance as the police cruiser rolls past. I hold my breath, watching the rearview mirror. The cop car keeps driving, no brake lights, no turn signal. No flashing lights.

I exhale shakily, my head falling back against the headrest. That was too fucking close.

“Be smarter about this,” I mutter to myself.

I curb the urge to call Margot and talk strategy. It’s late as hell, and if she’s awake, it’s because she’s studying.

My fingers itch to text Beau, but I dismiss the thought as soon as it comes. I don’t want to rely on him to advance to the next round. And that’s assuming he’d even be able to answer me. For all I know, he got tangled up already.

My heart pounds as I ease out of the alley, checking both ways before pulling back onto the deserted street. The GPS glows red, an ever-present reminder of the challenge at hand.

I need to find some place to lie low, and fast. Somewhere the cops won’t think to look.

I cruise down the street, my eyes scanning the darkened storefronts and side streets for anything that might work. An open laundromat, a late night diner, a motel with a half-hidden parking lot. But this part of Stonefield is fast asleep, dark and quiet.

A cop car pulls onto the street behind me, and my paranoia kicks into overdrive. I just saw a cop less than ten minutes ago. Either they have a large presence in this area at this time of night, or they got tipped off.

Which makes it all that much harder. “Goddamnit.”

I pound the heel of my palm on the steering wheel in frustration, my head on a swivel for my salvation. A second later, red and blue lights flash behind me, the siren splitting the still night.

Survival is my only thought. I push everything else to the side as I speed through the night.

My heart pounds in my throat as I take a sharp left, tires squealing. The police cruiser follows close behind, siren wailing. I can’t let them catch me. I won’t.

I weave through the narrow side streets, pushing my car to its limits. The engine roars as I fly over a small hill, catching air for a split second before slamming back down. The suspension groans in protest, but I don’t let up on the gas.

I need to lose this cop.

I fly around another corner, tires skidding on the asphalt. The police cruiser overshoots the turn, giving me a precious few seconds of lead time. My mind races as I scan the unfamiliar streets, desperately searching for an escape route.

Up ahead, the road narrows and curves. A sign warns of a sharp turn and reduced the speed limit. A crazy idea takes rootin my mind. It’s reckless and dangerous, but it might be my only shot.

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