Page 53 of In the Dark

With one arm looped over the seat, Morgan stared out the rearview mirror and backed out down the driveway with a screech of tires, turning the wheel rapidly to keep the vehicle straight without sliding into trees.

The foundation of the house rattled a second time and every window burst from within. She ducked even with the distance between them growing.

“I don’t want to leave them.” Astix stared back at her childhood home and tried not to clutch at the bar in response to Morgan’s driving. She memorized each line of the structure; every turret and gable and a proud widow’s walk the crown atop it all. Who knew the next time she would be able to come home?

If home still stood.

“What happens if he causes enough damage to collapse the second floor? Mom’s up there.”

“I’m sure he understands,” Morgan put in distractedly. “He seems like the type of guy who can handle things himself.”

“He’s alone. He’s alone and fighting for us.” Astix ducked her head until her hair hid the tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Any father would do the same.” Morgan slammed the car into gear and took off down the street. He waved jovially at a neighbor strolling along the street, wide-eyed, before speeding away. “If you don’t mind me asking, where exactly are we going?”

“I’ll let you know. If you don’t mind me asking, how long is she going to be out?” Astix gestured toward the back. “I really don’t feel like being in another car accident, thank you very much. Once was enough for me.”

“If I have to send her to sleep repeatedly then I’ll do it. You concentrate on navigating.”

Astix stared at him. “I would feel a lot better if you let me drive.” She gestured toward his shoulder. “Your arm looks painful.”

Morgan jerked his head in response. “I’ll handle it. I’m immortal.”

Immortal or not, she knew the pain of a spell gone wrong. Was intimately aware of the intense flash and burn.

It took them longer than she wanted to get out of the city. After several blocks, Morgan pulled to the side of the road so Astix could take over, and Morgan slipped into the back next to Karsia. Astix put the pedal to the floor and took off, away from the immediate influence of the Claddium.

He didn’t mind, truly, giving up the control. Call it guilt for the marks at her throat, the total devastation of her home and family. He always had been a sucker for the less fortunate.

Once he felt sure of their distance from the chaos, Morgan let his magic flow and shifted his form. It was a simple thing, not a true healing in the traditional sense of the word but a metamorphosis. Skin and bone loosened and re-knit until the damage from the magical spear was repaired. At once he felt a swell of relief.

Astix drove until the sky darkened and the day came to an end. She clicked the wipers on, smearing dirt on the mud-and-snow-splattered windshield.

“Is it safe for me to ask where we are?”

“No. It’s better if you concentrate on keeping her knocked out.”

The road snaked along in a sinuous line and the dark macadam stretched out under faintly glowing clouds. Tree trunks burst through the snow like bones through skin. They drove in silence without the comforting presence of the radio for a distraction.

The sky continued to darken while the car kept a steady pace. Hours later, Astix swiveled away from the road to park between two trees. Nothing surrounded them for miles except dusky woods creaking with the weight of icy limbs.

“Okay, we’re here.”

Morgan cricked his neck, rubbing a hand over his face and hearing the scratch of stubble. “Please tell me this isn’t where you’re planning to hide. Because I didn’t bring my snow boots.”

“This isn’t it. But with the weather, I can’t trust the snow to hide our tracks. We need to ditch the car and go the rest of the way on foot.”

“And how do you know those people aren’t going to be able to find us here?”

“Because this is my house. And I’ve taken great lengths to hide it from them.” In the dim light, Astix gestured ahead. “Can you get her inside the wards? She’d mentioned something about not being able to come here after the accident.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Karsia blinked and gasped, rising out of unconsciousness with the force of a submarine breaking the surface. “Where are we? What did you two do?”

“And, she’s up.”

Astix pocketed the keys. “We got you out of there before you hurt anyone.” She slammed the door behind her and shivered, her breath a white cloud. “And it was a damn close call, too. I think the words you’re looking for are thank and you.”

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