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I then considered throwing open the door and playing kidnap victim. I was a young woman, bloodied, and trapped in a panel van. Someone would call 911.
Only one problem. My captors weren't humans acting on psychotic impulses. They were supernaturals with a plan, one that would take into account such contingencies. My chances of actually escaping were slim.
Normally, I'd reject slim. But I thought of Logan and Kate, and how I'd practically hand-delivered them to these people by introducing Roni to Elena. I thought of Hope, and how they had my cell phone now, with her number, and how easy it might be to trick her into giving away her location.
I should take slim. It might be the only chance I'd get.
But what if it wasn't? Didn't I owe it to Elena and Hope to take the best chance to warn them? Wait and attack Severin when he came around to get me? But what if we stopped in the middle of nowhere, with Sierra, Giles, and the whole gang waiting to grab me after Severin failed?
I couldn't make up my mind.
Damn it, I could always make up my mind. This new indecision could be a sign of maturity, but it felt like weakness.
Wait and see--No, open the doors.
Oh hell, maybe I should just give up all hope of making rational decisions and start flipping coins.
I might, if I had a coin to flip.
Okay, that was it. I was just going to--
The van slowed.
Shit. Oh, shit!
I peeked out the door to see that we were pulling into a highway gas station. I looked at the trees and fields surrounding the service center.
Hey, why make decisi
ons when the hand of God can just deliver a better choice?
There was only one vehicle behind us--a car with Mom and a passel of kids. The car turned off toward the restaurant and the way was clear. I was about to throw open the door when the van swerved to drive beside a parked tractor trailer, affording me the perfect cover. I waited until we drew alongside the truck. Then I jumped. Kind of hopped, actually, arms and legs pulled in, letting myself drop, then roll under the trailer.
A beautifully executed move, if I do say so myself. Of course, it would have been even better with a blur spell to hide me and a knockback to tap the van door shut. Fate favored me there, though. No one in the van noticed my escape. And the door swung closed with a click.
Two minutes later, I was inside the service center, hiding in a fast-food line as I peered out the window and watched Severin. He filled the tanks. He paid. He got back in. He drove off, without ever realizing I'd escaped.
Now I had to get out of here. For that I needed cash.
Being dinner hour, the travel center was packed full of tired, hungry travelers. The thing about being tired and hungry? You're focused on getting through the lines, getting a burger, and getting back on the road. You put one of your kids or your coat at an empty table to reserve it.
I snagged a jacket from a table, and yanked it on to cover my bloodied wrists. Then I stole a purse someone left on a chair while she went to grab napkins.
I'd feel bad about the purse. Later. For now, it contained cash and it had a cell phone. I took both and left the purse in a bathroom stall. Then I called a cab.
My plan was to call Paige on the cell. But as I got into the cab, I realized the obvious: Freedom had come altogether too easily.
They'd let me escape.
Or had they?
I wasn't sure, but if they had let me escape, the reason would be obvious. They wanted me to lead them to the others.
I couldn't call Paige or Lucas. Probably shouldn't call anyone who might be even peripherally on their captive list. Or their hit list. But I did need to warn Elena and Hope.
I dialed a number.
"Prevail Aluminum Siding," a voice chirped. "How may I direct your call?"
