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"No He was hiding behind the wall at the back of the yard I heard hi around and he started to run I wanted to knohat he had done and decided it was a good opportunity" Adjusting her shirt, Ree looked down the alley before letting her gaze turn back to Paden "Look, I knoasn’t the s"

"Yeah, you should have We’re a tea out, Paden grabbed her hand and ran his thuht I’ures" Paden sly "No one here to hear you say that"

She punched him in the arm and watched as he rubbed his bicep in surprise His eyebrows drew together and his eyes looked her up and down She could see the wheels spinning behind his eyes, but he didn’t say anything

"I think it’s time to head back to the house I don’t see any cop cars" Ree peeked out of the alley and looked up and down the street "I feel like we need to get to the island The cops have got to decide Melanie’s house would be a likely hideout"

"You’re right Of course, I think Ellie’s warding is helping keep theet there areto keep us hidden" Paden rubbed his jaw and looked at the bed and breakfast across the street

"I don’t like depending on other people to keep us hidden We’re the ones that are supposed to be taking care of them" Ree narrowed her eyes It was her job, and she was ready to accept the responsibility "NoIt’s tirabbed her hand and nodded After another quick check, they left their alley and crossed the street As they neared the surrounding gate, Ree turned toward Paden to ask if the wards had been replaced, but didn’t have the chance to for seemed to erupt fro Ree and Paden off of their feet Gravel and brick rained down on the street like fiery bombs Paden rolled over Ree and covered their heads with his arms His body was tense and Ree could feel the rubble that landed on him as he sheltered her After the initial shock, Ree threw a shield over where they lay on the ground Paden scrambled off of her and they both stared at the bed and breakfast in shock As the air cleared and they were able to see a little better, Ree dropped the shield and they ran for the house Sht sunny day into a malevolent dusk Dust still littered down on the area and the sound of screa the tattered re re at plaster and chunks of wood, Ree shifted through the debris, trying to get into the da, thankfully

"Paden!" Roland’s hoarse voice cut through the odd silence and Ree darted toward the staircase The Dark One was pulling chunks of plaster and wood off Ellie, runted "Get your ass over here, godling"

Paden ju his way as Ree scraaze run over the older wo to Roland’s ar that made Ree’s heart stop

"Don’t" Paden frowned "Her back is broken" Kneeling down, he let his handsto hurt sooing to feel it when they shift back into place"

The sound of things being thrown around toward the back of the house drew Ree’s attention away froood hands, she left to help the others Melanie wasdown her face Taking a running jump, Ree leaped onto the debris and threw her hand out to help Mel

"Are you okay?" Ree pulled her friend over the upturned furniture and trash

"I’m okay Where’s my mom?" Melanie looked around the front of the house "Oh rabbed her grandmothers’ hand

"She’s okay, Mel" Paden didn’t look up at his friend Instead he kept his eyes on Ellie’s face as he worked over her body with his hands

"I’irlie Where’s your mama?" Ellie’s voice was faint and itsuch a vibrant woman’s voice reduced to a hoarse whisper

"I’ll find her, Melanie Stay here with your Gran" Roland stood and closed his eyes for aa deep breath, he turned and looked up the stairs As if gravity had no hold on hi to find the others, Ree headed for the back of the house

Juliette and Bryce were on the tattered back porch Bright red blood covered his shirt and ran down along his arms Juliette lifted his shirt and checked him for injuries, while he looked at her cheek that was covered with a large purple bruise, already in the stages of healing

"Are you guys okay?" Ree waved a hand in front of her face There was a lotto look at the destruction of the yard, she could understand why What was left of the carriage house was engulfed in flarabbed Juliette’s hands and looked her in the eyes "I’ her head, she slid his shirt down and back into place Wiping a hand across her forehead, Jules turned in Ree’s direction and frowned

"Are you okay?" Jules didn’tfire

"I’m fine" Ree looked at Bryce and then back to Juliette, who still wouldn’t make eye contact Her friend was upset with Ree and she knew there wasn’t uys knohere Weylin is?"

"No We were out in the backyard, watching for you" Bryce gave her a sad sht he was out front"

As they turned around, another explosion slashed through the air, knocking thery sainst the dust that assaulted them The roar of flames made her scramble to her feet in fear Bryce’s hand closed on her shoulder, his fingers digging into her skin, and dragged her into the house and toward the front yard

"Everyone okay?" Bryce’s voice demanded a response

"Ree? Is Ree with you?" Paden’s form materialized out of the smoke His hands reached out to cup her cheek while his eyes traveled over her face

"I’athered in her eyes "We’ve got to get out of here"

"Let’s go" Paden tugged Ree away from Bryce and headed for the front door

Outside, the sound of sirens was unmistakable, which didn’t really surprise Ree There was no way the humans could have ht Paden’s eyes