Page 136 of Break Out the Girl

I think he has this, but I split my attention between London and the guys taking down the other bear just in case.

Fuck.

My poor wolf is covered in gashes, blood pouring from his fur, but I can’t worry about that now. François coils and coils, squeezing enough to keep the monster captive, but the gray bear is still roaring and struggling. Why won’t the fucking thing die?

The dragon lands with a massive thud next to the truck. Cosmo quickly shifts and runs to London’s aid. I see him pull a pistol from somewhere, and shoot the half-man-half bear in one kneecap, then the other.

Effective.

I shift myself back to human as Cos raises the gun to Grieve’s head. “STOP!” I command.

He glances at me. “Why the fuck should I do that?”

“Because we need to know why they are so desperate to take Sky.” That can’t go unanswered. “She’ll never be safe unless we know the reason—and deal with it.”

Cosmo lowers the weapon and nods, but keeps his boot pressed onto Regan's bloody thigh.

Casually, he turns and tries shooting the foot of the bear that François is still struggling with. The bullet doesn’t even enter the creature’s weird, stone-thick hide, but I know the guys will handle it.

Time to get my friend to safety.

Then get some answers.

✽✽✽

Inside the truck, Sky is a limp knot of pale limbs. I lift her carefully from the bench seat, glad I can use a little wind-power to help carry her.

She’s awake now, but doesn’t say a word.

“You’re OK,” I whisper, carrying her toward the porch. “It’s over, Sky. I’ve got you.”

Fuck. I’ve said those very words to her too many times.

This time it sticks.

I take a wide berth around the clearing so she doesn’t have to see the bloody battlefield.

Tally and François are looming over the older Grieves. He’s in his human form, with matted gray hair and a face full of old scars and hard, cruel lines.

Cosmo stands in front of Regan, the son, who is clutching his shattered, bleeding kneecaps and moaning. I watch Cos cast some kind of spell.

I can’t see London, but knowing him, he’ll be checking in on Basil.

Fuck. Basil. I move faster, rushing towards the doublewide, then stumble to a stop for a moment, as I see London and Ludo both tending to a grumbling Basil.

“I’m fine,” the kid says. “Fuck off.”

A quiet growl comes from Ludo’s throat as he parts Basil’s messy hair and examines what I can easily see from here is a nasty bloody bump.

I shift Sky in my arms. She’s closed her eyes again.

London hovers over them with a rag. “Come on, Fuckwad, let me clean it, then I’ll make you a nice cup of tea.”

“I could do with one of those,” I say, stepping inside.

“Kitten!” He leaps up, spilling a bottle of antiseptic, and in one bound is putting his arms around both me and Sky. “Little Skylight, come into our hospital ward. I hope you’re not as grumpy as our other patient.” London shakes his head. “Between you and me, he’s acting like a big girl’s blouse.”

I’m sure that makes sense somehow.