Pretty When She Destroys (Pretty When She Dies #3)(85)

“This isn’t good!” Samantha cried out.

“Everyone out!” Jeff ordered.

There was a mad scramble to the stairs. Aimee tossed a few orbs of energy at the spreading darkness. Small explosions of energy filled the air with an acrid smell, but did not deter the black magic. The pitch-black filaments snaked past the threshold and spread into the hallway, forcing the witch to retreat.

“Well, that didn’t work,” Aimee muttered, then turned and fled.

Cassandra heaved her unconscious father over her shoulders and raced behind Aimee and the others toward the stairs to the main floor. Behind them the ceiling broke apart with a mighty crack and cement dust filled the air. Choking on the mix of chilly air and smut, Cassandra clambered up the stairs. Violent coughing drew her attention downward. Alexia was at the base of the stairs, doubled over and trying to catch her breath. Clutched in her hands were several external hard drives.

“Baptiste,” Cassandra managed to force out of her clogged throat. “Alexia’s in trouble!”

The elemagus’s tall frame pressed past the witch and dhamphir to the tiny woman below. His sweater was pulled over his mouth to keep the dusty air out of his airways. Once Cassandra saw he had Alexia, she continued her ascent, following in Aimee’s wake.

Out of the corner of her eye, Cassandra saw the black tendrils rapidly crawling along the walls, flanking their ascent. With a burst of speed, the dhamphir scrambled upward under her heavy burden, her hand grabbing Aimee’s. Dragging her girlfriend along, Cassandra trailed behind the others in a desperate dash to get out of the house. The shadowy serpents of black magic slithered over the floor and walls and wove through the building, ripping it apart.

The house gave out a loud moan before the ground floor began to buckle and cave in.

“Hurry, hurry!” voices rang out through the haze.

Cassandra stumbled a few times, but Aimee helped her along. Cian started to rouse, moaning against her back. She didn’t dare set him down until they escaped. The outside lights were a cloudy blur in the thick, choking air. Cassandra aimed for the illumination, banging into furniture as she fled. There was a loud whoosh then a tunnel of clear air formed before her. Baptiste’s magic sizzled along their escape route, holding back the thick haze.

They reached the front door just as the house shuddered violently. The sound of concrete cracking, girders bending, and glass shattering was a terrifying dissonance. Dodging chunks of the house as it toppled, the witch, dhamphir, elemagus and the people they had rescued scurried toward the street.

Benchley’s van backfired loudly as he started it. The side door was open. Jeff, Samantha, and Eduardo were already inside on the rear seat, all three covered in a thick layer of dust and trying to clear out their throats and lungs. Cassandra helped Aimee inside just as the house gave another loud groan before breaking apart and disappearing into the gaping sinkhole opening beneath it.

“What the hell...” Cian muttered, finally coming to as Cassandra shoved him onto the middle bench.

“You missed some stuff,” Cassandra said sliding in beside him.

Baptiste tucked Alexia into the front seat before jumping into the back, crouching on the floor and sliding the side door shut.

“Go! Go! Go!” Jeff shouted.

Cassandra glanced toward the house to see the sinkhole spreading outward. The van’s tires squealed as the vehicle raced up the street, Benchley honking the horn wildly as he drove.

“What are you doing?” Alexia panted.

“Trying to warn the neighbors,” Benchley answered.

Joining the others in looking out the back window to watch the destruction, Cassandra wrapped an arm around Cian in an attempt to console him.

“It’s not spreading past the property line,” Aimee observed, relief in her voice.

“He took her.” There was deadness in the words.

“Yeah, Dad. I’m so sorry.” Cassandra hugged him, not sure if he would accept her sympathy.

To her surprise, he lifted one arm, draped it over her shoulders, and held her close. “It was inevitable.”

The van swerved around a corner and sped along a dimly lit street.

“Benchley, slow down! It’s not following!” Jeff ordered. “We don’t need to crash!”

Benchley obeyed, but was still driving far too fast.

“What the hell happened back there?” Samantha demanded.

“The Summoner found a way into our haven through Etzli. Then he took Amaliya,” Cian answered. Everything about him was grim, from his words to his face.

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” Samantha slammed her fist against the back of the seat for emphasis.

Baptiste let out a long breath, cupping his head with his hands. “Dammit. We shouldn’t have brought Etzli back.”

“I can’t believe our plan failed,” Alexia said through her coughing fit.

“We’re dealing with The Summoner,” Cian said simply.

“You’re taking this pretty well considering that he just stole the hottest piece of ass in Austin,” Eduardo said, a smirk twisting his lips.

Cian moved so swiftly Cassandra didn’t even realize what was happening until Cian hurled Eduardo through the back window. Glass exploded outward, then the coyote’s body hit the street and rolled away into the night.

“Whoa,” Baptiste said, his maroon eyes widening.