Page 47 of Marked Dragon

The traffic light turned yellow, and Thorn punched the gas. My car lurched forward, and Elliott grunted as his knees hit the back of my seat. My kidneys complained.

We sailed underneath the light just as it turned red, and I glanced in the side mirror.

I’d hoped that the Suburbans would stop, but they swung into the opposite lane and swerved past the handful of vehicles between us.

Luckily, traffic wasn’t heavy, and another wreck didn’t unfold.

Thorn’s knuckles turned white, and soon, sirens sounded. Two cop cars rushed past us toward the Suburbans and blocked the lane, preventing them from following us.

My head fell against the headrest.

Now, we have to get to the cabin before another car finds us,Thorn said as he took the next left and headed out of the city.

As soon as the long, winding roads with less traffic surrounded us, I relaxed. We were heading in the opposite direction from the dragon lands, which meant we shouldn’t pass any guards.

Thorn took my hand, the jolt thrumming between us. He connected,Lay your head back, and get some rest. We’re safe now.

After the torturous week, a nap sounded fabulous. I placed my head on his shoulder and breathed in his scent. I needed to touch him, and even in the slightly uncomfortable position, I was out fast.

* * *

Everly,Thorn’s voice popped into my head, and my eyes fluttered.We’re at the cabin. Do you need me to carry you in?

The offer was tempting, but with Elliott and Eva around, I needed to be strong. I lifted my head, my neck aching from the position I’d slept in.No, I’m fine. You deal with Peter.

He nodded, his gorgeous eyes locked on me.That’s what I thought you’d say. Let’s get you inside. I’ve been waiting for this moment for far too long.

“What is this place?” Elliott asked from behind.

I opened my door and climbed out. “Your home for the foreseeable future.”

He followed my lead. Standing outside the car, he leaned back inside to gather his gaming system. “And Eva is in there?”

Glancing to the right, I noticed the black SUV parked there. “She should be inside.”

Thorn tossed Peter over his shoulder, and as we walked up to the one-story log cabin, the front door opened, revealing Eva in a pair of brown sweatpants and a white T-shirt. She rushed into my arms.

I stiffened, having expected her to run to Elliott.

“Thank goodness, you’re okay. They told me you were, but I needed to see it with my own eyes.” She leaned back, touching her chest.

My eyes burned, but I forced a smile. “We made it, and we brought Elliott and your dad here.”

Her attention flicked to Elliott, and a huge smile lit her face. She took a step toward him, her arms outstretched.

Elliott shook his head. “Dude, you just hugged her, and she’s all bloody. I know I love my game character like that, but that’s pretend. So, like—”

Eva didn’t hesitate and threw her arms around him. She whispered, “You brought our game.”

He scoffed, “Of course, I did.”

Thorn walked into the hallway, and I followed him. We found Saphira, Errol, and Brenton in the den, sitting on one of the black futon couches, and Vlad, Cassidy, and Tyson on the other. The charcoal walls didn’t seem so dark this time around, likely because I’d spent time in actual Hell. My gaze landed on the white back door and continued out the square window to the woods.

“Thank gods, you two made it back.” Cassidy sighed. “I was just about to call you to see if everything was okay.”

Saphira snorted. “I take it Peter wasn’t the most agreeable.”

“He was an ass,” Thorn growled as Eva and Elliott entered the cabin and shut the door. Then the two of them joined us in the den.

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