Dragon Marked_ Supernatural Prison #1(94)

“Can you trace the marked energy from anywhere? Will you be able to find all the ones who were freed?”

The same four answered me again. “No, we must be in close proximity, although there is a bit of a pull for the stronger ones. Generally, supernaturals contact us and report a marked. Then we go to that area and it is pretty easy to find them after that.”

So if I actually had run, they might never have been able to find me. I bit my cheek hard enough that I tasted blood. “What did you do to the Compasses?”

“Nothing,” he said. And that was all I got from them.

We reached the edge of Stratford. I could see the shimmery dome which prevented the outside world from just walking into our town. Of course a human couldn’t see these protections, but they still worked on keeping them out. This dome was supposed to keep me safe … but, in the end, nothing had kept me safe. The man holding my left leg halted, he reached out with a hand to touch the barrier. About an inch from connecting, he stopped … or froze. What the hell? My eyes flicked up between all of them. None of them were moving.

What was going on? Had the barrier done something to them?

I started to wiggle, to see if I could free myself. Sure enough, as I started to move and squirm I managed to wrench my left leg free, followed by my arm on the opposite side. Then with a huge intake of breath, I closed my eyes and jerked the remaining arm and leg clear.

I hit the ground hard, jarring up my body and into my brain. But I didn’t stop for a second, I had to get away before whatever halted the Four lifted.

Just as I was springing forward, my arms pumping ready to sprint, a familiar figure stepped into view. I ground to a halt before throwing myself into his arms. “Louis,” I gasped. “You saved me.”

I should have known. Only a sorcerer as powerful as he could have done this.

He hugged me back hard, before pulling away to stare down at me. “Listen to me, Jessa, I can only hold them for a short time. They’re joined and they’re very powerful.” There was strain on his face. “You need to run. Go now, out of the dome and into the car I have waiting for you at the end of the road. Do not hesitate. Get to the private supernatural airport and onto the plane that’s waiting there ready to take off. The Four will come after you. This is our one chance to get you to a safe place. Wait for me there and I will come once I make sure your family is protected.”

“I’m going to have to run forever?” I cried.

He shook his head. “No, we will make you safe, we will find a way. But for now there is no time. If they take you, they will be able to hide you from me. Instead, I beat them at that game and I will hide you from them.”

He shoved a bag into my hands, a heavy knapsack.

“Go now, Jessa. I have learned much this night, but there is no more time.” He pretty much picked me up then and tossed me through the portal.

I closed my eyes, bracing for whatever protections to attack me. But there was nothing, just a weird sucking sensation, then with a diving roll on the ground, I was on the other side. I was in the human world.

Holy shitballs.

I took off along the long, winding, dirt road, nothing on either side but trees and fields. I didn’t slow until the black Range Rover came into view, just sitting there in the center of the dirt path as if Louis had dropped it out of the sky. Skidding to the side, I wrenched open the driver’s door and without hesitation jumped into the black leather seat. I didn’t take any time to remove the bag; it clanked to my side as I hit the button to start the powerful machine. I knew there would be keys inside somewhere, and sure enough, at the touch of my fingertips the V8 engine roared to life.

As I slammed the stick into drive and pushed my foot flat to the floor, I silently thanked Braxton for my multitude of driving lessons. The four tires skidded on the dirt road before finding traction, and then I was off. In the rearview mirror, dust blew up behind me and I swore, in the far distance, I saw the Four dive out of the dome. Shit. They were already after me.

I decided to not look back again. I focused on trying to recall where the airport was. We all had to memorize the map. It was part of the evacuation route should it ever be required. But looking at a map and being there in real life, not to mention being chased, was spazzing out my mind a little.

I stayed on the road until we reached a fork and I was starting to get my bearings. I knew the first turn was left, then there was another long road. It was definitely hard to orientate myself, everything looked the same. I was surrounded by huge fields of corn. I continued to take the turns, three left and two right, and then I sucked in a deep breath as the familiar supernatural symbol appeared on a small plaque, discreetly placed beneath the human speed sign. Thank eff. I sobbed my next few breaths. I was going the right way.