Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(23)

Simone pushed her toward the headstones. “Nick and I will be fine. Brenna is pregnant, and Tori is human. Go.”

Moira grimaced but nodded. “Fine, but you call the second you can. We can’t go to the penthouse.”

“No. Run, now.”

“Human?” Tori said weakly, turning as Moira grabbed her arm and started running. “You’re not human?”

Nick kept his attack strong, and the remaining four men dropped into unconsciousness in a natural attempt to salvage their brains. The SUV careened closer, and another one came into view.

His hands shook, and something wet came out of his ears. Blood. He was bleeding. Attacking minds held risk.

Simone grabbed his arm. “Nick. We have to run.”

She was right. His knees weakened.

Sucking deep, he released the attack just as the SUV roared to a stop. Turning, he grabbed Simone’s hand. “Run, baby.” Trying to keep his vision somewhat clear, he allowed her to lead the way through the headstones. “Go north,” he whispered tersely.

Her steps hesitated, but she turned to the left and cut a path between the dead.

The slam of car doors and somebody barking orders filled the silence behind them. Thunder rolled high above, and lightning flashed down, illuminating grave markers. The rain increased in force. He kept his chin down and his senses tuned in to the men chasing them. There were at least six, and they moved well, spreading out to blanket the cemetery.

He’d told Simone to head north because the men had angled more to the south, but now they advanced quickly. What he wouldn’t give for the ability to teleport. Just once, to get Simone out of danger.

The graves turned to large tombs and overgrown trees.

She released his hand to yank open the door to a dilapidated tomb.

He clasped her arm to keep going. “We’ll be trapped.”

“Trust me.” She struggled but managed to pull it open. “Come on.”

He followed her inside, trying not to step on the colored concrete over the two graves, and turned to shut the door. “Simone, this is a mistake. If they find us—”

She moved a bunch of angels on the far wall into a different configuration, and the floor beyond the graves opened. “Hurry.” She ran down steps into the darkness.

He hustled after her, quickly descending until his feet hit dirt. She pushed a lever, and the opening closed. Darkness enfolded them.

“Just a second,” she whispered, fumbling around. A flashlight lit up. “Are you all right?”

He shoved wet hair off his forehead and nodded. “I am. The attack weakened me, but I’m regaining strength.” He kept his voice soft. “Where are we?”

“Escape route,” she whispered back.

He stilled. “If it’s a Coven Nine escape route, they may know of it.”

“’Tisn’t.” Her skirts brushed the dirt up as she turned to lead the way. “This is one of my family’s routes. We’ve had members on the Council since the beginning of time.”

For once, he appreciated the witches and their love of secrecy and drama. “Where does it lead?”

“It leads several different places, but I know of a safe one for the night. We can regroup there and figure out what to do next.” Her voice came back hushed as she hustled down the tunnel, ignoring several forks until finally turning down one.

“Who were the attackers?” he asked, his senses tuned in for any noise or scent that didn’t belong.

“I don’t know. It wasn’t the Guard, obviously. It doesn’t make sense that rogue witches would attack me, so maybe it had something to do with you? Or maybe Moira?”

Nick rubbed his chin. “I didn’t see the beginning of the fight, but it looked like Bear was a target. They hit him right in the head.”

“Perhaps. He did say somebody in Ireland was gunning for him.” Simone turned another corner and walked several yards into a dead end.

Nick paused. “You took a wrong turn?”

She patted the stone wall in a series of taps, and it began to glow. “No.”

Slowly, the wall parted, revealing a studio apartment of sorts. They walked into a cozy living room complete with leather furniture, next to a utilitarian kitchen. Simone pointed to a doorway off to the right. “The loo is through there. Last I checked, ’twas functional.” Now that she was home, apparently her accent was deepening.

He loved that accent. His gaze was caught by a loft beyond the sofas and round table. Five steps led up to the area, and a wide bed took up the entire platform. A plush midnight-blue throw covered the massive bed. His body tightened, and his pulse quickened. “So. What now?” he asked.





Simone gathered her wet skirts, reaching for a basket atop the counter that held several burner cell phones. She grabbed one and dialed, relief bursting from her when Moira answered.

“Are you safe?” Simone asked.

“Aye. We ran west, and the Guard picked us up, having heard the commotion. I believe several of the rogue witches who attacked us are now in custody, but I’ve heard they’re not talking. Are you safe?”

“Yes.” Simone wiped rain off her face. “We’re in the blue room.” Her cousin would know her exact location, but on the unlikely chance anybody had tuned in to the call, they wouldn’t have a clue where she’d taken Nick.