Page 14 of The High Priestess

She does as she’s told while asking with a quivering voice, “Why?”

“They’re right behind us,” I tell her the truth. “If they manage to stop us from driving, you get out and run like hell.”

“But–”

“Eleni!” I snap angrily. “For once, don’t argue with me and just do as I say.”

“Okay,” she replies with a sob.

Two of the SUVs break away from the others, and as they pick up speed, they try to come up on my sides. I swerve the cab from side to side, trying to make it difficult for them to pass by me.

When I swerve to the left to block the one SUV, the other shoots past me. The driver turns in front of me, and I have to steer the cab onto the side of the road, narrowly missing a road sign.

The SUV hits the right back side of the cab, and I struggle to keep control of the vehicle.

God. Just let me save Eleni. I’ll never ask you for anything again.

One of the bastards rams into the back of the cab, and I lose control of my vehicle. It spins across the road before coming to a crashing stop against a tree.

“Eleni, go!” I shout as I shove my door open, and I hear her move as I grab hold of my gun.

Even though my body has been pushed to its limits, I run after my sister.

“Run, Eleni,” I scream. “As fast as you can.”

Please. I beg you. Don’t let her die today.

A gunshot sends a shockwave of terror rushing through me, and while continuing to run, I try to shoot back at the men who are hot on our tails.

“Zigzag, Eleni!”

My sister listens, and she covers her head with her arms as she runs while darting like a deer from side to side.

I have no idea how long it’s been since I reached out to the island. I just pray to all that’s holy Santiago will be here soon.

We make it to the entrance of the shipyard, and when a security guard tries to stop us, he’s hit by one of the bratva’s bullets.

The pain subsides in my body, and I start to gain on my sister, which has me screaming, “Faster, Eleni! You have to run faster.” Seeing a warehouse, I shout, “Into the warehouse!”

She ducks into the building, and a few seconds later, I follow after her. “Find a place to hide.”

She glances frantically around, then cries, “Where?”

I don’t see any good hiding spots, and grabbing her hand, I continue to push my exhausted body. Darting out a back entrance, we run across a short stretch of concrete and enter another warehouse that’s filled with containers.

I drag my sister behind the nearest one and slow our pace to a brisk walk as we head deeper into the maze.

Eleni’s breaths rush loudly over her parted lips, and it has me whispering, “Cover your mouth and try to silence your breathing.”

I glance over my shoulder, and when I see the droplets of blood I’m leaving behind, I let go of her hand and say, “Keep going.”

She shakes her head. “Come with me.”

“I’m leaving a trail of blood for them to follow.” I step forward, and lifting my arm, pain shoots through it as I cup her cheek. “Keep going, Eleni. I’ll catch up with you once I’ve killed them.”

I don’t have enough ammo to kill them all.

Her face crumbles as she whimpers, “Cassia.”

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