by W. J. May
As if on cue, there was a sudden cheer from behind them. The last of the barricade fell away, and a gust of freezing air swept inside as Molly and Kraigan kicked down the doors.
Julian turned to Rae and raised his eyebrows. “Well?”
She pulled in a deep breath. It was now or never.
“Alright guys!” she shouted, raising her voice above the roar of the fire. “We’re going to get as many people out as we can! Start with whoever’s closest and work your way back!” Her dark hair whipped around her as a strange buzz started vibrating her skin, like the flames of her own were just waiting to burst forth. “Fast as you can, guys! Let’s go!”
* * *
There was something bizarrely counterintuitive about repeatedly running back into a burning building. Over the next twenty minutes, Rae did it so many times she lost track.
Again and again she made the treacherous journey, darting back into the scalding heat of the fire only to emerge a few minutes later with another person draped in her arms. She would lay them down in the parking lot, take a half-second to catch her breath, then run straight back inside.
But she wasn’t the only one working. She had seven people working beside her. Seven people running into the fire by her side.
Never before had she been so exhausted. Never before had she been so proud. Never before had she been so flat-out terrified. All at the same time.
Every time the seven of them ran in, she was petrified that only six would come out. That while searching for bodies to rescue she would stumble across a familiar face instead. Twice she had almost seen it happen. Once when a broken beam fell upon Kraigan, and once when Molly got trapped behind a row of crumbling shelves.
But never once did they stop trying. Never once did they stop fighting the good fight. Again and again they ran inside until, finally, when there was not an ounce of strength left between them, the last of the people was dragged out into the lot.
The eight friends darted off quickly into the darkness, then collapsed in heap on the grass just as the fire trucks came screaming into sight.
“Perfect timing,” Luke said dryly, his voice cracked with smoke.
“Seriously.” Angel wiped a drip of blood from her ear as she nestled her head into Julian’s shoulder, prepared right then and there to sleep. “Someone should give those guys a medal.”
Julian laughed quietly, until that laughter turned into painful coughing.
At that point, Devon pulled himself back to a sitting position and angled towards his friend. “You still want to keep that glass. because I think it might be killing you.”
The smile faded slowly from Julian’s face, but by the time he realized what Devon was about to do it was already too late. There was a blur of speed, followed by the loudest profanity that Rae had ever heard. A second later, the broken shards were lying on the grass.
“For the last time,” Julian gasped, “you’re not a doctor! I don’t care how many classes you audited. Leave me the hell alone!”
Devon patted him on the back with an affectionate grin. “You’re welcome.”
The others chuckled softly then lapsed into silence, staring thoughtfully at the distant glow of the flames. One by one, they let the nightmare wash over them. One by one, they tried to emerge on the other side.
“I wonder why she did it,” Molly finally said. Her hand was clutched tightly in Luke’s, but her eyes were locked on the flames. “There are easier ways to kill us.”
“Ways that don’t involve so many innocent people,” Devon added.
Rae bit her lip with a frown. The same thought had been looping through her mind since they dragged out the last person and made their escape. Instead she said, “How’d she know we’d decide to make dinner?”
But her thoughts trailed back to the questions her friends had asked. Samantha wasn’t the type to delight in massive loss of life. Her designs were all based in revenge, and that revenge was very specific. This kind of move wasn’t like her. She had to have something else up her sleeve.
“Maybe she did it to punish,” Gabriel said quietly. “She didn’t just start the fight, she started the fire. She couldn’t have been counting on us to get all of the people out of there alive. She had to assume that there would be some collateral damage. That we’d have to live with it.”
“Who the hell cares why she did it,” Kraigan interrupted. “The girl’s a psychopath. The things she does don’t have to make sense. She does them because she’s crazy.”
Rae nudged him with a little grin. “You know, people have said the same thing about you.”
“Like me,” Molly piped up loudly. “I’ve said it.”
“And me,” Julian seconded.
Devon grinned. “And me.”
Kraigan flashed each one of them a scowl before turning back to the fire. “The point is, I don’t care about her motivation. She might have been trying to punish us. She might have just been messing with our minds—”
“—or she might have been trying to figure you all out.”
An icy chill swept down Rae’s spine. She knew that voice. She’d know it anywhere.
This time, the gang didn’t even try to get up. Didn’t try to fight the numbing influence that settled over their limbs as Samantha hiked up the hill and into sight. There were soot stains on her face as well, and judging by the red rims around her eyes she’d been watching for quite some time.
But something else was different about her as well, something that Rae was having a hard time putting her finger on. She looked…pleased.
“Maybe,” she continued, “maybe she wanted to find out the truth about you. See if your moral compass really pointed north. Maybe she wanted to give you a little test. See if your allegiance to Simon Kerrigan was just a terrible fluke. See if you’re good people deep down after all.”
Rae’s blood was boiling over in her veins. A hundred people were still lying in the freezing parking lot, and this deranged girl was speech-making about what it meant to be a good person?
No. I don’t think so.
This night had been a nightmare come to life, and she’d had enough.
“You know, I really want to know, Samantha,” she swiveled around as much as she could, glaring through the darkness with all her might, “what makes you so different?”
Samantha hesitated, and Rae viciously pressed forward.
“I’m serious. You’re talking about a moral compass? Finding out if, deep down, we’re all good people? The kind of heroes you always wanted? What the hell gives you any right to judge?” Her eyes narrowed with the deepest hate. She was the President of the Privy Council for a reason. She was Beth Kerrigan’s daughter for a reason. These friends of hers risked their lives for a reason. Anger boiled inside of her. Samantha was just another Cromfield. “There were more than a hundred people down there. More than a hundred people could have died, all because you needed to prove a point.” She shook her head, turning back to gaze down at the fire as the remnant of smoke stung her eyes. “You may think I’m a monster for not killing my father, you may think I’m the worst person on the planet, but let me tell you—I would never have done what you did tonight. Not in a million years.” She gestured down to the parking lot. Even from up on the little hill, they could still hear the distant conversations. Still hear the painful groans.
“This is on you, Samantha. Not me, not them—you.”
There was a long pause, then a little voice echoed out of the dark. “You’re right.”
The gang stiffened and turned as one to stare at Samantha.
She was gazing thoughtfully down at all of them, haloed by a ring of moonlight in the dark. “You’re right. This is my doing, not anyone else’s. And you were right about something else, Rae. Something you said back in your living room. Something I came tonight to see for myself.” Her eyes flickered around the rest of the group, lingering for a moment on each one before softening almost imperceptibly. “They are…good people. Running in there again, and again,
and again.” She shook her head, a bit overwhelmed with the force of it. “They’re not to blame for anything that’s happened. I should have left them out of it. You were right when you said that. Because the problem isn’t them. It’s you.” She turned away from the firelight and looked Rae right in the eye. “Which is why I’m going to take you away from them.”
Before Rae could wonder what that meant, before she could even pull in a full breath, a wave of sleep came over her so strong it was impossible to fight it. Her eyes slipped shut in spite of herself as the impossible weight of the day crashed down upon her head.
Chapter 18
When Rae finally woke, hours later, the sky was just beginning to tinge with pink. The rest of them were still fast asleep around her, but as she pushed shakily to her feet they began to wake.
“What…the heck was that?” Molly asked, rubbing the back of her neck. “What happened?”
Luke stood up beside her, dusting off his pants. “I don’t know. One minute, we were all just talking. The next, I was asleep.”
“Devon,” Julian gazed down the hill with a little frown, “isn’t that your car?”
Devon pushed to his feet, shielding his eyes from the coming sunrise as he followed his friend’s gaze. “Yeah. The one I got from Prince Phillip. What’s it doing here?”
Rae stepped back in alarm, staring between them.
“What do you mean, what’s it doing here?” she asked incredulously. “We drove it here last night. It was one of the three cars we took to go to the store.”
Devon whipped around in surprise as those who hadn’t been standing already leapt to their feet. They moved with such shock and urgency that Rae whipped around as well scanning the grass around her to see what had them so spooked.
“What is it?” she gasped. “Is Samantha still here? Did you see someone coming?”
There was a swish of air, then Devon was standing right behind her. “What are you talking about?”
She gazed up at him in shock. Had she miscalculated last night? Were they all more shaken up than she’d given them credit for? Maybe that beam really had fallen on his head. “Samantha,” she said again, emphasizing it as much as she could. “The girl who put us all to sleep after she lit the damn grocery store on fire. Devon, who did you think I was talking about?”
Devon’s face lightened in surprise, and he took a sudden step back. “How do you know my name?”
Rae flashed him a grin, but it was a grin that was quick to fade. The rest of them were coming up behind him, standing in a defensive line as they surveyed the new threat.
A threat that Rae was just starting to realize might be her. “Come on,” she said in a bit of a panic, glancing from person to person. “This isn’t funny, guys. Samantha? The store? Last night?”
Devon shared a quick glance with Julian, who frowned and shook his head. When he looked back down, it was like he had never seen her before in his life. “I’ll ask you again, how do you know my name?”
Her heart froze in her chest as she stared up into his sparkling eyes. “Devon, of course I know your name. It’s me. Rae.” She reached for his hand, but he pulled it away.
“I’m sorry…who?”
THE END
Glitch in Time
Coming – March 15
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NC06FTP
The highly anticipated Sequel to the Chronicles of Kerrigan series, by international bestselling author, W.J. May.
How do you fight for your world, when you're no longer a part of it?
As Samantha plays her deadliest card yet, Rae finds herself suddenly on the outside, looking in. Her friends don't know her. Her family doesn't recognize her. As far as the rest of the world is concerned, Rae Kerrigan doesn't exist.
Can she find a way back inside? How can she break through Samantha's spell? And more importantly....
Will she find a way to do it before her time runs out??
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NC06FTP
The Chronicles of Kerrigan
Book I - Rae of Hope is FREE!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B1NNFR0
Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gILAwXxx8MU
Book II - Dark Nebula
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B46UWNO
Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca24STi_bFM
Book III - House of Cards
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LPIAFL0
Book IV - Royal Tea
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SGIN35W
Book V - Under Fire
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YVNJECW
Book VI - End in Sight
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015HGNL0C
Book VII – Hidden Darkness
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018SSJEZC
Book VIII – Twisted Together
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BPSQZFY
Book IX – Mark of Fate
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C4TYUZU
Book X – Strength & Power
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CK8MBRE
Book XI – Last One Standing
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DYFPVAG
BOOK XII – Rae of Light
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F5MXY7S
PREQUEL –
Christmas Before the Magic
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0195ZSB3I
Question the Darkness
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GNLNVRS
Into the Darkness
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HSJ7V9S
Fight the Darkness
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HSJ7V9S
Alone the Darkness
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L1AIW9I
Lost the Darkness
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/
SEQUEL –
Matter of Time
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYOY2BX
Time Piece
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCJA4GF
Second Chance
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2VS501
Glitch in Time
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NC06FTP
Our Time
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/
Precious Time
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/
More books by W.J. May
Hidden Secrets Saga:
Download Seventh Mark part 1 For FREE
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H17FQCC
Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-_vVYC1gvo
Like most teenagers, Rouge is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants to be. With little knowledge about her past, she has questions but has never tried to find the answers. Everything changes when she befriends a strangely intoxicating family. Siblings Grace and Michael, appear to have secrets which seem connected to Rouge. Her hunch is confirmed when a horrible incident occurs at an outdoor party. Rouge may be the only one who can find the answer.
An ancient journal, a Sioghra necklace and a special mark force life-altering decisions for a girl who grew up unprepared to fight for her life or others.
All secrets have a cost and Rouge's determination to find the truth can only lead to trouble…or something even more sinister.
RADIUM HALOS - THE SENSELESS SERIES
Book 1 is FREE: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IFSS4ES
Everyone needs to be a hero at one point in their life.
The small town of Elliot Lake will never be the same again.
Caught in a sudden thunderstorm, Zoe, a high school senior from Elliot Lake, and five of her friends take shelter in an abandoned uranium mine. Over the next few days, Zoe's hearing sharpens drastically, beyond what any normal human being can detect. She tells her friends, only to learn that four others have an increased sense as well. Only Kieran, the new boy
from Scotland, isn't affected.
Fashioning themselves into superheroes, the group tries to stop the strange occurrences happening in their little town. Muggings, break-ins, disappearances, and murder begin to hit too close to home. It leads the team to think someone knows about their secret - someone who wants them all dead.
An incredulous group of heroes. A traitor in the midst. Some dreams are written in blood.
Courage Runs Red
The Blood Red Series
Book 1 is FREE
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VC8HSFE
What if courage was your only option?
When Kallie lands a college interview with the city's new hot-shot police officer, she has no idea everything in her life is about to change. The detective is young, handsome and seems to have an unnatural ability to stop the increasing local crime rate. Detective Liam's particular interest in Kallie sends her heart and head stumbling over each other.
When a raging blood feud between vampires spills into her home, Kallie gets caught in the middle. Torn between love and family loyalty she must find the courage to fight what she fears the most and possibly risk everything, even if it means dying for those she loves.
Daughter of Darkness
Victoria
Only Death Could Stop Her Now
The Daughters of Darkness is a series of female heroines who may or may not know each other, but all have the same father, Vlad Montour.
Victoria is a Hunter Vampire
TUDOR COMPARISON:
