Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(81)

“Now run!” Devon roared, picking up both twins. “Cam, take Warwick,” he added as James picked up Samantha. “Eden, Essie, and Lilly, take hold of a jacket and don't let go. We form a chain and it will not be broken till we get outside. The smoke will soon make it hard to see!”

“I have your shirt, Dev!”

Acknowledging Lilly's words with a nod, he wrapped his arms around his sisters and started for the doors with the other patrons. Around them people were running and screaming. Children had begun to cry.

“I have you safe, darlings, just hold on a little longer.”

Lilly listened as he talked to the twins and focused on his voice. Terror built inside her with each step they took. A hand gripped her coat from behind, and she hoped the others were close, and prayed everyone made it out safe.

“Talk to me, Lilly. Reassure me you are there!”

He followed those words with a cough, and she knew he would take in more lungfuls than them, because he was talking.

“I'm here, Devon. Don't talk, just move!” She patted his back, and whatever leg, arm, or shoulder she could reach of the twins.

“Left, Sinclair!” That was James's voice, and Lilly felt a rush of relief at the sound.

The smoke was making it hard to see. The fire had sprung to life as yet another torch was thrown. Placing a hand over her mouth, she let go of Devon briefly.

“Lilly!”

“I'm here, just covering my nose and mouth.”

“Get in front of me!”

“You go first and I shall be right behind you,” Lilly shouted to be heard above the noise.

“Don't let me go, Lilly!” Devon roared before making another surge for the door.

People tried to push past them and over them, but they kept hold of each other, be it a hand or a piece of clothing. No one broke the link. The smoke was thick now, but Lilly did not look behind her.

“We are at the door, love, just a few minutes more and we will be outside!”

She heard Devon's words and felt the surge of people propel them forward, but she lost her footing and her hold on Devon's jacket.

“Lilly!”

She heard his cry, but could do nothing to stop herself from falling.



Rushing through the door, Dev placed the twins on the floor. “Wait over there for everyone,” he told his little sisters as he pointed to a spot nearby, yet far enough to keep them safe from the fire.

“Yes, Dev,” they said, eyes wide with fear. He watched them run and then he turned to head back inside to get the others and Lilly.

Nudging people aside, he noted James, Eden, and Essie two feet from the door. Samantha was coughing in her brother's arms. Grabbing his sisters, he pulled them through and James followed in their wake. “I have Lilly!” Cam said, coming through seconds later with Warwick hanging around his neck like a monkey and Lilly clutching one hand, while Emily held the other.

Lilly lunged at him, and he lifted her off her feet and into his arms, and ran down the stairs, following the rest of his family.

“I was so scared for the children!” Eden cried.

“I know, love, but everyone is safe now,” James panted, bracing his hands on his knees.

Dev lowered Lilly to the ground as Cam put Warwick on his feet. The little boy was crying, and Lilly quickly gathered him close. Dev hugged his sisters and slapped James on the back before he went to get the twins. But they were not where he had left them.





CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN


“I told them to wait there.” Lilly watched Devon point to a spot not far from where they all stood.

“Something is wrong,” he said, running to the place with the rest of them on his heels.

“Eden, Warwick, take out your earplugs and listen for them!” Dev said as he switched his vision. “Lilly, take off your gloves and step into the circle.”

She did not hesitate. Throwing her gloves at Emily, she took Dev's hand, and Eden held the other. Then the other Sinclairs all linked hands and the circle was formed.

Lilly felt the jolt of awareness travel through her as they concentrated on the twins.

“I hear them!” Eden cried, breaking free. She pointed to the back of a fast-moving carriage hurtling down the road some distance away.

“I see them!”

Lilly watched as Devon and the other Sinclair siblings started running down the road. She did not hesitate and started in pursuit.

“Emily, take Samantha and Warwick back to the house in the Sinclair carriage!”

“Of course, James, and God speed to you all,” Emily cried, hugging the two now tearful children close.

Realizing she had no hope of catching the Sinclairs, or the carriage that held the twins, she changed direction to where a man stood holding horses.

“M-my sisters have been kidnapped,” she lied, as a full explanation would take too long. “Th-they are in that carriage.” Lilly waved a hand down the street. “P-please, lend us your horses!”

“I'm being paid to hold them, the men would kill me,” the man said, gripping the reins tight, his eyes suspicious.

“I'm the Duke of Raven, here is my card!” James rasped, arriving on her heels. “I will pay for their hackney home and then personally deliver the horses to them later!”

Lilly watched the man waver. Fishing out her reticule, she took out a handful of notes and thrust them at him. “Take these to soothe your worries!” she said, ripping the reins from his fingers.