Page 146 of Mystic's Sunrise

“No,” I breathed.

“Is your clubhouse on the side of the old rail yard?” Devil was quick to ask.

“Yeah. They’ve got a guy there on watch, he won’t wait long once word spreads Drago’s down.”

I let go of him and turned, grabbing my helmet with blood slick fingers.

Devil stepped into my path. “Mystic—”

“She’s still alive,” I said, trying to stay focused. “But not for long if we don’t move now.”

My brothers didn’t hesitate.

We were back on our bikes in seconds, tires spinning, engines screaming as we tore out of that clearing like the devil himself was behind us.

But he wasn’t.

He was lying in the dirt, bleeding.

And even dead… he’d set fire to my whole world.

***

WE TORE DOWNthe backroad like demons riding intowar, no words, just the roar of engines and the weight of one unspoken fear:we might be too late.

Then I saw it.

Smoke curling into the sky, glowing orange behind the trees like the gates of hell had cracked open.

“There—warehouse!” Thunder shouted, pointing through the trees.

Flames were eating through the roof, sending ash into the wind. My stomach dropped. I didn’t realize I’d stopped breathing until Spinner yelled, “We’re too late—”

Then it happened.

Crack.

A single gunshot split the air.

Close.

From the woods.

I didn’t wait. I jumped off my bike, tearing through brush and trees as the others followed behind. Branches slapped at my arms and my face, drawing blood, but it didn’t phase me.

Please,I thought.Please let that shot mean they’re still alive.

Another shot rang out, then a scream, high and raw.

Lucy.

We burst into a clearing, and the world snapped into focus.

Zeynep stood in front of Lucy, barefoot, dirt-streaked, her body positioned like a damn shield. Lucy was on the ground, her leg twisted beneath her, her face twisted in pain. She must’ve fallen.

The Dragon Fire asshole stood ten feet away, panting, furious, gun raised. Zeynep’s arms were wrapped around Lucy, her body trembling, as she tried to protect her.

The biker turned, hearing us come out of the brush and without a second thought I put a bullet in him.

---