Free Vengeance of the Demons by Rebekah R. Ganiere Page B

the rest of the way on your own.” He pulled a cellphone from the glovebox. “Here’s the extra phone. My number is programmed into it. Call me when you’re ready for me to meet you.”
    She nodded and he tucked the phone into her hoodie pocket. “Okay.”
    William lifted her out and cradled her against his chest. The heat of her body was like hugging Mason in full Maelstrom form.
    He walked across the street and headed for the corner of the resort. He sucked in a deep breath. This was it. If he was spotted, who knew what would happen.
    He walked down the sidewalk, the resort floodlight coming closer and closer to exposing him. His body tensed like being zapped by a live wire. It was like being back on the mountainside chased by slavers again, only in reverse. He finally reached the road leading into the compound and carried Evan toward the gate.
    “Stop,” she croaked. “I can go from here.”
    He set her on her feet and she wobbled. Her glassy, blue gaze met his and she smiled at him. She reached up on her toes and kissed his cheek. She lingered for a minute, hugging him tight.
    “Thank you, William.”
    Words failed him and he nodded. “I’m not leaving here till I talk to your leader.”
    “I’ll call.”
    She hobbled off down the road, her pace slow and labored. She dragged her left leg and stumbled.
    Silently he urged her forward when she stopped and bent over to catch her breath. About thirty yards from the gate her leg buckled and she fell. In her dark hoodie and pants, she blended into the asphalt almost completely.
    William lurched forward and then stopped himself. “Get up,” he whispered.
    She lay on her side motionless.
    “Get up,” he said louder.
    Still she didn’t move.
    The guards at the gate were far enough from where she’d stumbled that it could be hours before they finally found her. He had no choice; he’d brought her this far.
    Quick as light William raced to her side and lifted her. “Sorry, babe, things aren’t turning out like we hoped at the moment.”
    She didn’t stir.
    He ran for the fence and spotted the nearest guard. “Hey! This girl’s hurt!”
    The guard turned and raised his gun while rushing forward. “Don’t move!”
    “She’s hurt. She needs help.” William advanced.
    “I said don’t move!”
    “She’s hurt, dammit! Her name is Evan. She needs help.”
    The guard shot at William. He spun out of the way and the bullet whizzed past.
    “Stop shooting, I’m only trying to help!”
    Another bullet whizzed by. Suddenly the sound of dogs and other guards came from all directions. It was obvious that if he stayed both he and Evan would end up dead. He laid her on the road as the guards ran out from behind the gate. He kissed her forehead and then raced away from the resort. The sound of gunfire rang out, and he prayed that they weren’t shooting at Evan. He’d made it out to the main boulevard when the sounds of vehicles roared behind him. He glanced back to see two military vehicles speeding toward him.
    He dashed across the street to his own car and hopped in as the military vehicles rolled onto the road. William started the engine and threw the car in drive as the two assault vehicles barreled his direction. He turned on his lights and flipped his car around before gunning it. The back windshield shattered as bullets pelted the car. He sped toward the highway at top speed. The humans behind him continued to fire, and he had to duck in his seat to keep from being hit.
    One of them gained ground and pulled alongside him. He was less than a half mile from the freeway. They crashed into his vehicle, sending him sailing sideways. He corrected and gunned the vehicle faster. They slammed him again but he kept control. Bullets riddled the passenger side and the windows exploded in a shower of glass.
    The sign for the freeway onramp flew past. He headed up the overpass and banked left for the on ramp. The other car smashed into the rear of him sending him careening