Page 46 of Marked Dragon

Thorn pressed the button to start the car, and as soon as the engine turned, he backed out of the driveway.

I buckled my seatbelt and took deep breaths like I learned in yoga. It wasn’t as effective, since I couldn’t do the stretch that went along with them inside a moving car.

Elliot sighed and fidgeted behind me, trying to get situated. “You said you were trying to keep Eva safe? What did you mean by that? Isn’t she with Drake?” Though he was trying to control his voice, it grew thick with emotion.

As Thorn drove down the street, I turned in my seat and smiled sadly. “Actually, I was with her. She and I escaped, but she was tranqed, and some of our friends and Thorn’s parents are taking her to the same place we’re heading. You’ll see her soon.”

Eyes glistening, Elliott let out a shaky breath. “She’s not with him, either.” He leaned his head back against the headrest and stiffened. “Wait. She wastranqed?”

Tires squealed, and I jerked my head forward. Several large black Suburbans turned the upcoming corner and barreled toward us.

There was no doubt who they were.

Warriors.

A lump formed in my throat. At least, we weren’t at the house. I could only hope they were so focused on getting there that they didn’t notice us, especially with my tinted windows.

When the third and final SUV passed us, the vehicle slammed on its brakes.

No. This couldn’t be happening.Thorn, I connected.

“I know,” he rasped as he pressed the gas pedal, taking a turn at a much faster speed than I was comfortable with. He expertly maneuvered the car as tires screeched and the SUVs cut hard, spinning in our direction.

Thorn glanced in the rearview mirror as we approached the main road leading to downtown. “Elliott, it’s going to get rough, so hold on.”

“Is that them?” Elliott breathed, watching them out the back window.

I gripped the black leather center console and the door handle, my gut heaving as Thorn turned onto the main road. A car blared its horn behind us as we cut them off, but Thorn didn’t ease off the gas.

My mid-size sedan was significantly smaller than the Suburbans, so we were able to swerve through vehicles efficiently.

The Suburbans raced behind us, honking their horns, and weaving through the traffic after us, but we were gaining distance.

My heart hammered, and I grimaced as Thorn cut another person off. The car slammed on its brakes, honking, and the lead Suburban slammed into the back of the car.

The car flipped around from the impact and wrapped around a telephone pole.

My hands shook.Thorn, I need your cell phone.

His brows furrowed, but he fidgeted in his pocket and handed it to me.

I expected him to take the next left that would lead us away from downtown, but he remained on the main road.

Dialing 911, I connected with Thorn,Why are we going downtown?

If we take the main road, we won’t be able to lose them,he replied as his hands gripped the steering wheel.

The 911 operator came on the line, and I informed them of the accident and that the person who’d run into the smaller car was chasing us. I then mentioned two more Suburbans were still pursuing us. After telling her where we were heading, she told us that police officers would intercept us.

As soon as I hung up, Thorn connected,That’s actually a smart plan.

Just make sure they don’t catch up to us before the police arrive.I rolled down my window and chucked the phone.

Ev, what the hell?Thorn connected, surprise flickering through him.Dad or Mom may try to call us.

I winced. I hadn’t considered that.Sorry, but I had to toss it, so the cops don’t follow us.

He nodded.Right.We’ll just need to tell them when we can.

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