Page 29 of Draco

And the security guards stopped right in front of us, then looked right through us and began to wander. I flinched when one stepped right into me, but he phased right through like I wasn’t a solid object.

I glanced at Stryker, then both of us looked at Leif.

“Betray me, and it’s the last thing you’ll ever do,” he growled, and I nodded.

“Are we… invisible?” Stryker’s face broke into a huge grin.

Leif grunted, but I had a feeling that wasn’t quite right. On the surface, our skills often looked like garbage but dig deeper and find the true value of a skill. Like a strong sniffer that could practically let you read minds. Or mind reading with a dose of mind control. On the surface we made us invisible and intangible to others, but we weren’t invisible to one another, so there was more to it.

“I owe you one,” I said, knowing I didn’t need to tell him I wouldn’t betray him.

He nodded. “I intend to collect. But first, let’s go.”

Pushing Luna’s bed, we all rushed for freedom. The front door loomed before us. We were seconds from freedom.

Wrath stepped in the door, anger twisting his features. “I know you’re here.”

Without hesitation, Leif pushed right through him, and we all followed his lead. I scooped Luna up off the bed and carried her toward the car.

* * *

Luna came to,her wide eye on me. “Where are we?”

“Somewhere safe.” I’d had some help setting this place up.

“Can we just start over, please? Just the two of us somewhere away from everyone else?” She sat up, holding her head as she did so.

I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers. “I love you.” I murmured against her lips. “As long as I’m alive, no one will come for you.” With my newfound abilities, I’d found a way to shield her so that no one could find her. Her father could never send someone after her.

“And it’s okay if you don’t love me. My protection isn’t dependent on anything from you.”

She grabbed the back of my head and pulled me in, kissing me deeply. “You owe me an explanation.”

I feigned innocence. “Explanation for what?”

I woke up here. What happened in the meantime?Her thoughts met mine, and I smiled.

I showed her everything, our escape, how afraid I was, how everyone helped. How we’d walked her right past Wrath, and she laughed.

“I don’t like him.” She sobered up. “He’s a fraud.” Her memory opened to me, and I saw their back and forth in the car. I wallowed back fury at his threats and tried to keep a level head. The time she’d been healing and coming to had proven to me that I loved her.

I’d been so afraid I’d lose her.

But her thoughts did worry me.

“Don’t worry too much about it,” I said, kissing her again. “You’re safe now. We’re starting over, you and I, if you’ll have me.”

“Of course, I will.” Her mind opened up, and all her love and warmth flooded me. All the emotions she felt for me hit me like a tidal wave, and I opened the floodgates right back at her. Her breath caught, and she kissed me again.

As long as I’m alive, you’re safe.

If you’re not alive, nothing will keep the world safe from me.

17

Luna

Months later