Page 124 of Angel Lost

Farrell growls in Zephyr’s face before reaching around us and yanking Nyx nose to nose with him. “Okay, you little shit. We know you’re bonded to Davina, to the dean. The only way out is to kill Davina. Are you in?”

A slow grin breaks out across Nyx’s face, and Farrell lets her go. “You were right, Lorelei, there’s no need to kill Nyx. We kill the source,” he says.

Zephyr stills, and when he speaks his voice is a whisper. “So, we’re killing slave masters now, are we? Just not mine?”

Carefully, I touch his arm. Then slowly, interlace our fingers, blood sticking our hands together.

“It’s a fair point, Farrell,” I say. Zephyr rewards me with a tiny squeeze.

“For Hades’ sake, can we timetable this shit for later?” snaps Kai, and finally everyone starts moving.

It’s not so far from our original plan. Bloodier. Deadlier. And I will kill Davina when I get a chance. And…we have to kidnap Nyx.

The rebel soldier ties her hands, tapes her mouth, and flings her over his shoulder in a matter of seconds. Probably helped by the fact she doesn’t fight it. I can see it in her eyes: She has a chance. A way out.

Farrell clears his throat. “Let’s move quietly, carefully. Straight to the portal—”

He’s interrupted by his own phone. He flicks it to speaker. It’s Raff, out of breath and talking so quietly he must be worried about being overheard.

“Portal’s activated, expecting company at any moment. Once the dean is out of her office and the escape route is clear I’ll let you know.”

He hangs up.

Shit.

“Might get a chance to kill the bitch after all,” I mutter.

But one look at the ragtag company and I know. Not now. We need these kids out. We need to be in control before we come for her.

“You’re crazy!” Reye mutters. “You’re all crazy.”

She edges for the door, and I eye her uncertainly. She hikes her robe up above her knees and bolts, footsteps slapping away down the hallway.

Kai takes off after her, and I sprint to keep up. Behind, I hear Farrell organize the rest into following. He’ll keep them right. We have to stop Reye. She’s delusional.

She thinks we’re the crazy ones…

Chapter Forty-five: Lorelei

We make it up the stairs, legs screaming in protest, and slam out the doors only a few seconds behind Reye. She casts a quick glance over her shoulder before speeding off down the pristine white paving slabs, weaving between the beautiful ornamental plants, darting under the bowers, and heading straight for the main office.

I duck my head and power after her, using every ounce of my vampire speed to gain ground. She’ll screweverything.

Ahead, Reye skids around the first of the fountains, hands out, splashing water onto the path in her wake. Kai, only feet behind her, slides on the wet surface.

The calming reception music reaches me and I push myself harder.

“Mom,” Reye calls.

The glass front of the building swings into view, vines weaving up the sides. The beauty of the place seems sinister. Too perfect. And stepping menacingly through the arch, pacing down the steps, is the dean. She smooths the front of her tunic, a tiny frown marring her forehead as she watches her daughter charge toward her.

I slew to a halt. Kai’s already backing up, never taking his eyes off his stepmom.

“Mom! They’re going to kill you.” Reye flings herself into her mother’s arms.

The dean peers down at the top of Reye’s head, nostrils flaring. “Decorum, Regina. This is no way to conduct yourself.”

Behind me, the rest of the group arrives. Davina’s gaze jumps from one of us to the next to the next. She tuts, shoving Reye to the side, lifting her arms.

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