Gunnar bounds up the stairs and grabs Grim, lifting him easily. As soon as his weight disappears, I want to crumple to the floor. Gunnar hoists Grim up over one shoulder, and Grim’s long arms dangle down Gunnar’s back, swaying too easily.
With his free hand, Gunnar reaches for mine. “We’re going down and getting out of here,” he tells me, staring into my eyes. I nod, because I want to believe him.
Gunnar goes ahead of me, but he’s half sideways because he doesn’t release my fingers. Once we reach the bottom of the stairs, he looks around the house for another exit. Calix is standing in the open doorframe with his hands braced on either side. He smiles when he sees me, but it’s doleful.
“Can you tell if he has all the entrances and windows warded?” Gunnar asks me, spinning around.
“I can check, but I’m pretty sure.” I nod and wipe my nose with my sleeve.
“Forget it. We’re going to make our own exit, and it’s going to be noisy.” Gunnar squats and uses his hands to brace Grim’s back as he sets him gently at my feet. “Stay here, I’ll be back for both of you.” Gunnar nods his head at me until I match his movement with my own. He’s remarkably calm. Aeson walks over from the bottom of the stairs to join us. I almost forgot about her. Damn good friend I am.
Gunnar moves to a wide expanse of wall, one far away from windows and doors. He lifts his arms so his hands are up above his head. After one long yell, he pounds his fists and forearms into the wall. Plaster and dust start to fly almost as fast as his arms do.
Within just a few moments, I can see the darkness from outside winking through the hole he’s creating. Seconds later, he kicks near the floor, making the hole large enough to walk right through.
He spins, his eyes on me, and between heaving breaths, says, “I should have done that twenty minutes ago. Come on, you two first.” Gunnar beckons me and Aeson forward, rolling his arm. I look down at Grim and shake my head in denial. Gunnar lets out a sigh and stomps over. “Fine.” He leans down low, hoists Grim right back over the same shoulder, and grabs my hand again. I look up in time to see Aeson use her hand like a springboard against a piece of wood and vault through the hole, landing in the same exact crouch she was trapped in. She bounces up quickly and hops to the side. I don’t blame her for moving quickly. Being trapped, even for only a few minutes, sucked.
Calix reaches in through the hole and places his hands on my waist, lifting me from the debris on the ground, and making sure to set my bare feet on the soft grass. I hear the wailing siren of a police car off in the distance I somehow know is for us.
“We need to go, and quickly, if we want to avoid the cops.” Calix looks around.
I lick my lips. “I know where to get a car.”
Chapter 31
Ihave Grim’s head in my lap. We’re almost home, and he still hasn’t woken up. I’m too afraid to check to see if he’s breathing. In fact, I’ve been ignoring everyone and everything except my fingers stroking through his soft, dark hair since Gunnar silently placed him in the backseat with me.
Aeson tried to ask me what happened in the room while we broke into my parents’ garage, but I just shook my head. I don’t know if I can tell her if she doesn’t remember, and I can’t relive it right now anyway. She ducked off into the night, promising to find her own way home soon after.
Calix slows the car and turns onto my long, narrow drive. We’re home. He pulls the car up near the front door and glides it to a stop.
Gunnar opens his door first, then comes to Grim’s side. I look up at him, wishing he would tell me everything is going to be okay, but I’m too afraid to ask. He sighs wearily and tugs on Grim’s cloak, pulling him back over to the side so he can pick him up and carry him to the house.
“I’m going to ditch the car, Damiana,” Calix informs me, as I shimmy across the seat, hurrying to get out the same door Gunnar just pulled Grim through.
I pause. “Okay, don’t go too far. Be safe,” I say, telling him words I’d never thought to say before.
“I’ll be right back,” he promises, meeting my eyes from the front seat.
Gunnar carries Grim all the way up to my bedroom without breaking a sweat. I, on the other hand, feel like I’m boiling. He drops Grim on the bed and a huff comes from Grim’s lips. I rush over. “Did you hear that?” I dart my gaze to Gunnar, but I can’t look away from Grim for long.
“He’s breathing, Damiana.” Gunnar lays his hand on my shoulder. It’s the first time I’ve noticed that his knuckles are red and that he has chalky residue on his arms.
“He is?” I swallow the lump in my throat.
“Yes.” Gunnar gives a soft chuckle. “I can’t wait to tell him how many times I had to save and carry his fat ass.”
I click my tongue. “He’s not fat…but he’s heavy as hell,” I agree, watching Grim’s chest to see if it moves.
“Do you mind if I shower?” Gunnar hooks his thumb over his shoulder.
“You remember where everything is?” I give him a weak grin, thinking about the first time he used my shower.
Gunnar leans down and whispers close to my lips, “I knew where everything was a long time before that day.”
“Stalker.” I push his chest, but he doesn’t budge.
“I see it now,” he whispers, searching my eyes.
