Chapter 164

The compound crashed to the ground, trapping people in the rubble. I didn’t let myself feel a twinge of guilt as I lost sight of Alyx and the guard. That was for later.

I dragged myself to my feet and climbed over the ruins of the garden wall. On the other side, the compound was in chaos. People ran toward the house, their shouts cutting heavily through the winter silence. Others were sprawled across the ground, bleeding or crying.

I ran past them, heading for the front gate. No one noticed me. Most of the people here didn’t know what I looked like, and the ones who did were too focused on helping the people trapped in the house.

The guards at the gate hadn’t left their post, though.

“I need to get out,” I said, panting as I ran up to them. “Ronan’s orders.”

The taller one eyed me, a frown crossing his face. “I don’t know you.”

“That’s not my problem.”

He took a step forward, reaching for his gun. I let the energy crash through me again, and the ground rippled, taking both guards off their feet. They landed hard. I didn’t stop though. I couldn’t afford to. The ground shifted, and a heavy wind tore at the gate. The hinges groaned in protest, and I put more of myself into it, pulling from the earth beneath my feet. It sprang open, and I dashed out into the snow.

Shouts sounded behind me, but I didn’t stop.

I crashed into the trees, breathing easily as I ran. I was in much better shape than I was when I came here, and I forced myself into a sprint. The trees slid past me, and my boots crunched in the snow. The power slowly seeped from my veins, sinking back into the earth. It left me exhausted, but I made myself keep running.

I couldn’t stop yet.

I glanced over my shoulder. I couldn’t see the compound between the trees anymore, but I knew they’d be sending people after me. If Ronan survived, it would be his top priority.

I wasn’t paying close enough attention, and I crashed into someone, landing hard on my back in the snow. Someone yelped in surprise, sprawling out in the snow. I didn’t recognize the man, but he had a cruel scar across his cheek. Someone was standing beside him, and they took a step closer. I swept out my legs, taking them off my feet.

A hand gripped my shoulder, and I jumped to my feet, lashing out with a punch. They let out a grunt, and I landed another punch, tripping them by putting my boot behind their heel. They sprawled back in the snow.

“Celeste?” one of them croaked. “Wait.”

The adrenaline left me reeling, and I turned to run.

“Celeste,” the second voice was louder, familiar.

I froze, my entire body going still. The man with the scar was staring at me with wide eyes. He hadn’t moved from the ground, and he gave me a weary look. I could see the guns holstered at his side, but he didn’t move to reach for them. Beside him sat my brother, his eyes wide. I took a stumbling step toward him.

“Jack?”

He looked past me.

The last person, the only one who hadn’t spoken, had pulled himself to his feet while I was distracted. I turned slowly, my heart drumming against my chest. My eyes met a pair of familiar blue eyes, and it took everything I had not to fall to my knees. If I let myself do that now, I’d never get back up again.

Matt.

God, he looked broken. I’d never seen him so disheveled. A part of me wanted to reach for him, but I couldn’t. Not yet. I dragged my eyes over him, but he didn’t seem injured. Alyx likely exaggerated, and I felt some of the tension go out of me.

He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. His eyes roved over my face, then the rest of my body.

“We need to get out of here,” I said, turning to look at my brother and the other man. “They’ll send people after me.”

“The compound collapsed,” the man drawled. He pulled himself to his feet, turning to peer through the trees.

“They’ll send people,” I repeated.

Jack got to his feet and brushed snow off the back of his white pants. They were all wearing white, likely to blend in with the snow. My black combat gear stood out in comparison.

“Let’s go,” I said.

Jack nodded and gestured for me to follow him. From the corner of my eye, I saw Matt step toward me, but I looked away from him. I could hear his heart stutter in his chest, and it made my heart break just a little.

“I’m Ted, by the way,” the scarred man said.

“Great,” I said. “Can we leave now?”

He huffed out a laugh and followed Jack. The minute my brother was sure we were all following, he broke into a jog. We trailed him along a twisting path through the woods. My muscles ached, and exhaustion settled over my mind, but I kept going. We needed to get away, and fast. I didn’t want to think about what Ronan would do to us if he found us here.

We eventually came to a road, where a white jeep was parked along the shoulder. Someone was sitting in the front seat with a laptop balanced on their lap. Seth looked up, his eyes going wide.

He jumped down from the car and took a halting step toward me.

“Celeste?”

“We need to go,” I said, letting some of the fear seep into my voice.

He just nodded and gestured for me to take his place in the front. I pulled myself up, wincing at the pain in my muscles. Matt kept silent, but I could feel him watching me.

Ted got in the driver’s seat, and the three boys piled in the back. He put on the car, warm air blasting from the vents. He did a three-point-turn, then tore down the road away from the compound. The further we got, the more I let myself breathe.

“Did you do that?” Seth asked after thirty minutes of pointed silence had passed. “I saw it on the video feed. The compound collapsed.”

“Yes,” I said. I didn’t turn to look at them. “It was the only way.”

“What did they do to you in there?” Jack mumbled. Matt still hadn’t said a word. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him.

“It’s a lot to get into,” I answered. “Long story short, they trained me to be the Maiden.”

“Their mistake,” Ted said with a short laugh.

I smiled the first genuine smile in a long time. “Yes.”

“You’re pretty badass.” He glanced at me, then back at the road. The windshield wipers worked furiously as the snow picked up.

It was a lot easier talking to him. He didn’t know me before. I still couldn’t bring myself to look in the back seat.

“Put you on your ass.”

He laughed. “That you did.”

I settled against the cold window. “No offense, but I’m tired.”

“Get some sleep,” Jack said. “We’re going to drive for a while.”

I nodded and let my eyes fall shut. A moment later, I was asleep.