Page 176 of Visions & Shadows

I’m shoved and jostled by one person after the other, and for a precious few minutes, I’m swept up by the aggressive crowd as they run through the streets.

Gunshots sound up, and where some take cover, others run toward the police force who’s trying to regain control.

Windows are being smashed, and looters are raiding every store while vehicles try to maneuver their way through the chaos.

My heart is hammering in my chest, and I’m breathless as I fight my way to the sidewalk. I run to a side street where things are quieter, and as I try to catch my breath, I wildly glance around me.

Who’s the chosen one?

Shit, trying to make my way through the angry mob will be insane.

I keep searching through the hundreds of people, and seeing a woman who’s trying to drag an unconscious man toward the sidewalk, something about her catches my attention.

Maybe it’s the fact that she’s risking her life, trying to help someone in all the chaos. Two men grab hold of her, and they force her toward me while three more follow them.

No!

They drag her past me, and my eyes lock with her terrified ones.

“Pearl,” I whisper in horror as one of the men starts to beat her.

I come to, my breaths racing over my lips. I’m clinging to Raighne, where we’re sitting on the floor by the sink. Lifting my head, I look at Ares.

“We have to go. Right now.”

He darts forward, and placing his hands on our shoulders, he shimmers us away in a split second.

When we appear precisely where I was standing in the side street, the crowd’s aggressive chanting, sirens, and shouts fill the air.

My head whips to my right, and I scream, “Pearl!”

Before I can take a step in her direction, where the men are beating and tearing at her clothes, Raighne waves a hand, sending the men flying in all directions.

Ares shimmers to her side, grabs hold of her, then shimmers back to us before getting us out of the terrible chaos.

When we appear in the living room, Pearl starts to gag. I quickly wrap an arm around her and say, “It’s okay. You’re safe.” I rub my hand up and down her back.

Letting out a sob, her body caves into mine, and as I sit down on the floor with her, I hold her tightly while she breaks down.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you again,” I whisper, my tone hoarse with the intense emotions I feel coming from her. “Shh…you’re going to be okay.”

“Let me look at her,” Lydia says, her tone gentle. I pull away so Lydia can take over and climb to my feet.

“That’s all ten,” Griffith says. “We need to go back to Vaalbara.”

My eyes flick to him and my tone is biting as I snap, “We’ll leave once Lydia is done checking Pearl.”

“Do you have a first aid kit?” Lydia asks, which has Doug rushing out of the living room.

A minute later he comes back with the kit and hands it to Lydia while asking, “Do you need anything else?”

“Some sugar water for the shock. It will help her calm down,” Lydia answers.

As Doug goes to get the water, I crouch by the two women and place my hand on Pearl’s back. She’s shaking like a leaf caught in a shitstorm while Lydia wipes some of the blood from her face.

I know what it feels like to be beaten to a pulp and fearing for yourlife, and I hate that Pearl had to experience such a horrible situation.

Lydia’s gentle with Pearl as she tends to her busted lip and the cuts on her cheeks and temple.

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