Page 52 of Oleander
“You didn’t check that it had enough gas, Zeph?” Hawk complains, glancing over at the dashboard.
“We were in a hurry when I was stealing my own car to break curfew, Hawk. I didn’t even think to check. My driver usually keeps it gassed up.Fuck!” I stare at him in the rearview mirror, watching as the usually unflappable Zephyr is rattled and unsure.
No one wants to call our parents or Headmaster Goulding for varying reasons. The midnight curfew we’re currently breaking is one of them. We’re allowed to leave campus, of course; we’reall of age. But it can be extremely dangerous without the proper weapons, escorts, and, in our case, a reliable vehicle.
“Let’s just walk. We’re almost there. Seriously. I’ve already taken a couple of strolls in these woods with no issues,” Skyler says confidently.
I take a deep breath and pinch the bridge of my nose, realizing that I’m dealing with a carload of drunk Fae, and I need to be the one to take charge. “Yes, but you were with two of my mother’s soldiers, giant iron swords in clear view of any predators.”
“Okay, yeah, but with all of our magic combined, I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Skyler insists, full of liquid courage, and of course Hawk agrees. I glance at Leo, who’s slumped against the door, seemingly unaware of our current predicament. His long brown curls hang in his face, obscuring his features. Zephyr looks as worried as me, but I reluctantly give in, if only to avoid calling the queen.
I have a bad feeling about this.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
OLEANDER
“Ican’t see shit!” Hawk curses loudly as he stumbles over a root sticking out of the ground for the millionth time. We only have the light from our phones and the slivers of moonlight piercing through the dense canopy to guide the way. “Let me light it up out here, Zeph.Please.My magic isbeggingto be useful.”
“No,” Zephyr and I whisper-shout at the exact same time. “Youcannotuse your magic. It would be a beacon to any dark creatures lurking out here,” I explain.
“Especially your fire. Now, hush,” Zephyr adds in a no-nonsense tone.
Hawk is a Fire Fae and could definitely help guide the way, but the reward isn’t worth the risk. Even using our phones as flashlights makes me uncomfortable. We’re drawing too much attention, practically marking ourselves as prey.
My point is proven when a low, guttural growl rumbles behind us. The menacing sound is deep and throaty, like a mouth filled with too many sharp teeth. My heart drops into the pit of my stomach, and dread washes over me. Poison flows through my veins as my magic rushes to the surface, ready to defend us.
“Oh goddess, we’re doomed,” Hawk whispers, eyes wide with absolute terror like he’s never seen a hellhound before.
I’m not the only one who notices his reaction, and Skyler shouts in anger. “I thought you’ve been in the Wild Hunt before, Hawk!”
“Fuck, no!We said it wasyourinitiation!”
“Which usually means you’ve all done the same!” Skyler argues, but now isnotthe time. The beast is slowly lurking toward us, eyes glowing red.
“Um. No.Most definitely, no!”
Skyler and Hawk’s bickering is interrupted when another growl reverberates through the woods like a deep warning.
“Magic ready.Now!” Zephyr commands. His body moves into a fighting stance as the wind picks up, swirling around him and ready to defend us all.
Electricity buzzes across Skyler’s skin, fire dances between Hawk’s fingers, and shining gemstones plate Leo’s skin like armor.
Leo braces his legs shoulder width apart, gritting his teeth and straining every muscle in his body as he pulls stone from the earth. Shimmering crystals erupt, their craggy peaks blocking the hellhound’s path. Leo drops his hands, his breath sawing in and out of his chest, exhaustion and alcohol making it harder to use his magic and keep going. But he did his job, creating a barrier between us and the evil beast.
“Thank the goddess,” Leo gasps, panting like he’s on the verge of passing out from lack of oxygen.
Our relief is short-lived, as is the protection. Razor-sharp claws scrape against the stone, creating a high-pitched noise that pierces my eardrums. We all cry out, ducking our heads and clutching our ears.
No matter how impressive Leo’s crystal mountains are, they’re no match for the size and sheer determination of thisbeast. The hellhound jumps on top of the highest peak, rising above us like a demon that’s just crawled out of the deepest pit of Hell.
“Run!” I shout in pure and utter terror. I spin, pushing Skyler in front of me and urging him to run. We both take off, sprinting for our lives. I make sure Skyler stays in front of me, unwilling to let him bring up the rear.
More screeching assaults our ears, and I glance behind me, watching helplessly as the hellhound easily slides down the slick stone.
We’re not going to make it like this.
I purposefully lag behind, but Skyler doesn’t miss a beat.
