Her Guardians - A Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance(28)

The floorboards popped up, and Erik and I fell to the floor. He quickly got up and lifted me into his arms .

“Hold on,” he said, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. Despite the violent shaking, he managed to get us out of my apartment .

When we got outside onto the sidewalk, we both turned around and stared at the unmoving building. I looked back inside the door and could tell the earthquake was still happening inside, only there was nothing anywhere outside of the building .

“Definitely magic,” Erik said .

“I should be able to stop it,” I said with a frown .

Erik grabbed my hand. “You’ll get it. Come on .”

He pulled me to a car waiting across the street. He opened the door, and when I sat down inside Darrin, Roman and Gage all stared at me .

I slid over to the middle and Erik climbed in .

“What was going on exactly?” Darrin said pulling away from the curb .

“An earthquake spell of some sort,” Erik said taking in a sharp breath. “We have to get her out of here .”

“The cabin,” Roman said, and Darrin nodded .

It was beyond weird to be with all of them at the same time. All of their worried eyes taking turns looking at me to make sure I was still in one piece .

I was sitting between Erik and Gage, Roman and Darrin were in the front. Every so often I’d catch Darrin looking at me in the rearview mirror .

“I’m OK, really,” I said when I got fed up with the secret glances in my direction. “If anything, I’m pissed off I couldn’t stop it .”

“It must have been Marcus,” Gage grumbled. “But why ?”

“To get to Lorne,” Darrin said turning the wheel to take a left to get onto the highway. “It’s the only thing he can do that could even come close to touching her .”

Roman shook his head. “He’s her brother, why would he — ”

“Half-brother,” Darrin said. “I don’t think that half means anything to him .”

“What does he want?” Roman asked .

“Everything,” Gage answered, as he stared out at the scenery. “He wants all of her territories .”

Darrin whipped his head around and looked at Gage. “You know this for a fact ?”

“No, but I worked for Marcus. I know he’d do anything for more power. More control. That has to be it.” Gage tightened his hand into a fist. “I should have warned Lorne .”

“She’s already suspicious of him,” I said with a shrug. “It’s not your fault .”

“Maybe she would have done more to stop him,” Gage said, looking into my eyes. “I don’t think she ever thought he’d take it this far. I mean, I guess I should have .”



*

W e’d been driving for hours. I had no idea where we were, but it didn’t really matter. I just wanted to get somewhere I didn’t have to worry about Marcus’s magical attacks .

We stopped at a nearly empty wayside to take a short break. While I used the restroom, Darrin called Lorne .

“She didn’t want to talk to me?” I asked when I came out, and he was tucking his phone into his pocket .

“She just wants us to get you someplace safe,” Darrin said putting his arm around my shoulder .

“How much further is this place ?”

Darrin rubbed his hand up and down my arm. “Not too much further .”

I took in a slow breath and hugged myself. It suddenly felt quite cold. The day had turned into night rather quickly .

“Take me to the car,” I said with a shiver .

“It’s going to be OK,” Darrin said. “We aren’t going to let anything — ”

Darrin was suddenly pulled away from me. I turned and watched as his back slammed against a thick tree trunk .

“What the — ”

Roman, Erik, and Gage were running toward me. I could tell by their expressions they knew something was wrong .

Roman was closest, but when he reached out to me, he was blasted back the same way Darrin had been. Erik and Gage stopped short .

“There’s a shield,” Gage shouted. “Don’t touch her !”

I couldn’t see it, but it seemed as though Gage could. He clicked on his phone a turned on the flashlight, pointing it towards me. A blue glass-like bubble surrounded me .

“Shit,” Erik said running his hand through his hair .

All of a sudden, feet appeared in the top of the bubble. Someone was slowly descending down into the bubble with me. It didn’t take long for me to realize uncle Marcus was inside with me .

“Don’t worry, Eve. I’m not going to hurt you,” uncle Marcus said touching my cheek with the back of his fingers .

“Then why not just let me go ?”

“Ha! Cute. I’m sorry, but that’s going to be impossible.” His finger moved down and across my jawline stopping at my chin. “I need you. Did you get my note ?”

I shook my head. “Note? What note ?”

“The one about your mother? I thought it was the best way to inform you about her evil ways .”

“What are you even talking about ?”

He clicked his tongue. “Oh, dear child. The woman has been lying to you your entire life. Go on try to cast a spell. Attack me. Do anything .”