Page 136 of Pucked Around and Found Out

Not fear.

Not yet.

Just... anticipation.

The need to get to her.

The drive takes fifteen minutes that feel like hours.

When the mansion comes into view, fully engulfed in flames, that thing in my chest explodes.

“No,” I breathe.

The SUV isn't even fully stopped before I'm out, running toward the inferno. People are shouting—firefighters, someone—but I don't hear them.

I just see the flames.

Smell the smoke.

I just know that Toren is in there. I can feel it with every fucking fiber of my being.

“Sir! You can't—” A firefighter tries to grab me.

I shove him so hard he crashes into the fire truck behind him.

“Tink!” I roar at the burning building.

“Boss!” Ken catches up, trying to grab my arm. “You can't go in there⁠—”

“Fucking watch me.”

I grab the hose from the side of the house, soaking myself head to toe until I’m completely drenched. I see a breathing thing laying on the grass, then put in on.

Then I run straight into hell not caring about anything aside from getting to her.

Getting to my fairy.

The heat is unbearable, worse than anything I've ever felt.

My skin blisters. My lungs scream.

But I don't stop.

Can't stop.

I crawl through burning hallways, following instinct and memory and something else. That connection I've always had with her. That rubber band that’s always pulling me toward her.

The kitchen is ahead.

I burst through the door and smoke pours over me.

Through the haze, I see her.

Sitting against the cabinet.

Arms wrapped around her stomach.

Head lolled to the side.