Page 151 of Coerced

Jax launched himself at me.

I don’t know if he thought I was a demon or what, but he slammed me into the ground so hard, I saw stars again. I lost my grip on the crate, and it went flying with a loud clatter. The supplies I’d scrounged rained down around us.

“Gemma?!”Jax rolled off me. “I am so sorry! Let me help you up.”

Holding up one hand to ward him off, I closed my eyes and flooded my aching body with healing power.

“I am so not built to be tackled,” I muttered.

“What were you thinking, Jax?” Tara fussed. “You could have killed her! Gemma, are you okay?”

I forced my eyes open and saw Jax still had his hand outstretched, and I took it. Once I was on my feet, I started sweeping things back into the crate as I talked.

“We don’t have much time. The demons are distracted. I knocked Castle out. We have to get out of here.” I found the brochure I’d hastily swept into the crate and handed it to Spin. “Here. I grabbed this. It’s old, but maybe you can find some place for us to hole up.”

“Let’s get Maddy and get out of here.” Tara bounced on her toes and flexed her fingers.

“Everyone, grab some blankets and our gear from the worktable.” Spin scanned the map on the back of the brochure. “And anything else from the bathroom that may be useful.”

We all took a blanket and shoved our meager belongings into our pockets. Some towels and soap and such went into my crate, and Chance offered to carry it.

“Do you know where Maddy is?” Spin was all business as he looked at me. “Did you see which direction they took her?”

“She’s… ” I didn’t want to say it. I had to force the words out of my tight throat. “She’s gone. They… They killed her.”

“No!” Tara covered her mouth with her hands. “No. Not Maddy! No!”

As she started to cry, Jax put his arm around her and drew her into a tight hug. I had to blink against the sudden rush of tears, too.

Stay strong. Get out of here first. Break down later.

“You’re sure?” Spin demanded. “You’resureshe’s dead?”

“I am.”

Chance nudged my arm with his elbow.

“What’s distracting the demons?” he murmured.

“They’re—” My lower lip trembled and I swallowed a sob. “They’reeating.”

His eyes widened, and I knew he understood what Iwasn’tsaying.

“I see where we can go!” Spin called out and we turned to him. “I’ll lead and, Gemma, you follow with Monkey. Stay close to me and keep her moving. Jax and Tara, pair up in the middle. Chance, you bring up the rear. Everyone clear? Good. Let’s go!”

41. Don’t Get Killed

Mira

“This forest is creepy.”

Tossing her black curls over her shoulder, Gigi huddled against Kerry, who cut his eyes down at her. He didn’t say anything, but he did pull back the power that sparked off him and take one of her hands in his.

“Sorry,” she murmured. “I’m such a baby.”

“Then I am, too.” Travis shrugged. “No one in their right mind would come here and not freak out. This is like the perfect setting for a horror movie.”

“Don’t worry,” Kerry growled. “Nothing here is more dangerous than me.”

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