Page 97 of Delinquents Turned Fugitives
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My heartand brain froze for a moment; I felt like a deer facing an oncoming semi-truck—startled and staring at the end of my life without truly comprehending it.
My light switched automatically from a UV light to regular sunshine—my normal go to—on reflex. That’s when I saw the white-blond hair and pale complexion … and realized we hadn’t stumbled onto just any vampire. It was Callum.
His pale blue eyes squinted and his mouth opened, his fangs gleamed purple-white as he growled furiously, moving an arm to block his face. He took a lurching step toward us, sending balls skittering around his knees, hollow plastic popping noises filled the air.
Shocked, my hand went black, my light snuffed, just as Z grabbed my arm and tugged me backward.
The scuff of our shoes was the only sound as darkness closed in. I debated shooting more shadows behind us, or maybe setting a wall of light. But neither would last as soon as I rounded a corner.
We darted through the maze, Z yanking me close to his side and then using his magic to hasten our retreat.
Zap.
We were twenty feet further, our backs dragging along the cheap plywood walls, scraping with each time skip Z made and gathering splinters, when suddenly—we crashed into a wall and one of those obnoxious wheels. He’d fast-forwarded time too close to the first turn in the maze because we couldn’t see in the pitch black of this damn fun house. I hadn’t wanted to use my light again in Callum’s presence because it would be like waving a flag in front of a bull. But I didn’t have a choice. I lit my hand the tiniest bit, trying to use my body to shield the light.
I glanced back in time to see Callum pulling himself out of the ball pit after us. My heart tumbled like fall leaves in a storm, violently.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
Zap.
Z magicked us past the portion of the maze where you had to walk sideways. But we still had to go single file. Zavier’s hand circled my wrist in a death grip as he took the lead.
My thoughts were a combination of furious and hopeless.
What were the chances? Of all the damn places in the entire damn state, he had to be hiding here!
Tears filled my eyes and I blinked hard, trying to shove them back. They wouldn’t help. The only thing that might get me out of this, besides Z’s power, was quick-thinking.
How could I stop Callum from attacking?
What would be more tempting to a vampire than blood?
“Sorry!” I yelled, just before Z made us shoot forward again, my stomach lurching when he picked me up and started sprinting with me in his arms.
“What are you doing?” Z huffed.
“We ruined his sleep. I nearly zapped him with light. We didn’t know he was there, but still, an apology can’t hurt.”
Z just shook his head as the Day-Glo stripes around us blurred and we shot out of the maze and back into the tunnel.
“Only you would apologize to someone who’s going to try to kill us.”
“He let us go before,” I argued.
Z didn’t quarrel, just put on another burst of speed and we flew out of the doors to the Wacky Shack. While we’d been inside, the sun had set. A small crescent moon hung like a sickle in the sky.
Fuck.
Callum wouldn’t be stuck inside that ride. He’d be free to come after us.
My emotions trilled like a pianist playing a glissando, sliding their hand rapidly over every key and ending at the base, thrumming on a low dark note.
I needed to warn the guys. But if we headed toward Malcolm, we’d only put him in danger too. Maybe it was better to stay away.
Z seemed to have come to the same conclusion because he turned north, away from the picnic tables and parking lot.
