Page 91 of Under a Wicked Moon
Whoever did this wasn’t done. They’d make sure they died. Survival kicked in.
He sat up, left thigh stinging. An eight-inch shard of jagged metal had lodged deep into the muscle. With a yank, he ripped it out. Blood gushed.
Flynn rocked on the ground nearby with both hands against his head. When he removed his hand, blood dribbled out of one ear. His head was bloody from abrasions and a scalp laceration. Flynn looked to have shielded the humans he’d rescued, who were equally stunned. He helped them stand while shaking his head and pointing to his ear when they spoke. None appeared to be wounded, which was a miracle.
Where was Vivi? Adrenaline shot through his system, getting him to his feet. He felt as if he couldn’t get enough oxygen intohis lungs as he scanned the area.
Roman had landed near a concrete wall. The nun, seemingly unscathed, cradled his head in her lap. She muttered and moved rosary beads through her fingers. Roman breathed but remained unconscious. Blood pooled under him. Roman looked to have sheltered the nun and child from the explosion with his body.
Behind him, Vivi held Nova, who appeared unconscious. There was so much blood on both of them that he couldn’t tell who it came from.
He mouthed to Vivi, “Are you okay?”
She nodded.
Ky shuffled over to Roman, his head roaring and thigh reminding him with each step its reminder it’d been mauled by a piece of metal.
He knelt and touched Roman’s right arm, which was a macerated mess. The blood would stop. The flesh would heal, but it was ugly. “Fight to stay with us, Ro.”
He shuffled to Vivi. “Get inside. I’m sure more are coming to make sure we died.”
“Get out of the open,” Ky yelled to Flynn, although it sounded far away to his ears.
Flynn shook his head and pointed at his ears. “Can’t hear. Coming back, though.”
Ky said loudly, “Someone wants us dead. Wave number two of hostiles likely coming in soon to make sure they got the job done.”
When Flynn didn’t respond, he pointed to a building and mouthed, “Inside.” He struggled to a stand and dragged Roman inside. The nun trailed behind.
At the sound of screeching wheels, he peeked out the window.
A van came into view around a corner. Presto, wave number two had arrived.
Another three vans followed close behind, navigating debris ina beeline for their location.
Humans. An army of them.
He recognized the nondescript dark uniforms of the drivers.
He’d die before returning to a prison. Or letting them get Roman or Flynn or the ladies. This time the humans wouldn’t let them escape. It’d be a one-way trip straight to death.
He shook Roman. “We need a spell or something. Wake up. Come on. I need some soldier-of-God magic. That angel of yours disappeared.” They could’ve used his help.
Nothing.
He and Flynn directed the rest of the dazed parents and kids into the building. The upper floor had been demolished but the lower looked stable.
“Are you okay?” the nun asked, staring at Roman, but her question was directed at Ky.
“No ma’am. None of us are, but we’re going to protect you,” Ky said. “Can you do anything to protect this building? Magic would be nice. I can’t quite figure out what you are, but it’s not…” He glanced at the humans huddled together and lowered his voice. “You’re not human. Those people outside are about to light us up either with another missile or bullets.”
“I will pray for you. For us.” The serenity and certainty of her declaration made him believe. She took the hand of the boy who stood near her side staring at Roman. “He listens to me. And to you. He will watch over us.”
Ky took her free hand in his and bowed his head. “Thank you. We could really use God on our side. I don’t want any of you hurt. I swear I’ll do my best to keep all of you alive.”
They needed way more than prayer, but it might help. Maybe God would hear.
Someone from outside called out, “Vivienne, we know you’re in there. Escalate. Level. Two. Kill them.”
