Page 18 of The Royal Flame
All I can do is nod.
And think about kissing him.
But that thought hastily dissolves at the sound of a deafening engine.
“That’s probably Finn,” River mumbles as he carefully pushes up and peeks over the trashcans.
I hold my breath and prepare to dig out my Taser, just in case.
“Thank god,” River breathes out, some tension leaving his muscles.
Taking my hand, he effortlessly pulls me to my feet. Parking in front of the curb is Finn’s sleek car with an engine that is toodeafening to bring me comfort. The headlights are on, lighting up the dark night-kissed street, and the windows are so tinted no one inside is visible. The driver’s side door opens, and Finn hops out, worry consuming his features.
“Are you guys okay?” he asks as River and I jog toward him.
“Yeah, just get us out of here,” River tells him as he hurries around the front of the car.
Finn climbs back in while Noah gets out of the passenger side and signals for me to hop into the backseat with Lily. I’m about to duck in when a shout echoes across the air.
“Don’t you dare take off!”
River's and mine’s attention darts across the street. Will is standing with his crew. Rage possesses his features like a demonic possession, and he’s still holding the knife. Our eyes briefly lock, and then I dive into the backseat.
River scoots in beside me. Then Noah moves to get into the passenger seat.
“Go!” River shouts at Finn as Noah starts to close the door.
Right before it shuts, Will yells one final thing that sends enough adrenaline through my body that I almost jump out of the car.
“Hey, Maddy! How’s your aunt Ellie? I heard she just up and left you! Or did she?” His voice pierces the air like a needle through flesh.
I stiffen. “Let me out.”
But Finn is already peeling away, taking me with him and leaving a potential answer behind.
4
MADDISON
Istare out the side window of the car, shaking my head over and over again. The cab is quiet except for our breathing and the loud-as-hell roar of the engine. Noah is fidgeting with a leather band on his wrist, and Lily is softly crying.
“Maddy.” River finally breaks the silence, his voice cautiously gentle.
“I’m fine,” I mumble then shake my head. “you know what? No, I’m not.” I yank my gaze off the window. “I think I need to go back.”
River shakes his head, angling his body toward me. The space in the back seat is small, and his knees end up pressed against mine.
“No, you don’t,” he insists pleadingly. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I don’t care,” I snap, restless energy humming through me. “You heard what Will said. He might know something about Ellie—my mom’s disappearance.”
“He may have just known she’s missing and was trying to get you to stay.” He gently brushes his fingertips along my cheekbone, causing my eyelashes to flutter.
“I know that, but there’s a small chance he does know what happened to her.” I press the heel of my hand to my forehead as the world around me begins to twirl.
I’ve had a few massive panic attacks in my life. It’s difficult not to when I’m constantly living on edge. But attending the Royal Academy was supposed to change that, not bring more anxiety into my life.
It’s too much.
