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“New York’s a long way away,” Seth said.
“I know. But there’s also…” An odd sensation stirred in my chest, like hope and anxiety twisted together. “My mother’s family is out there. I haven’t seen them since I was a little kid. I don’t know how much they even remember me. But they didn’t like my dad. Maybe they had some idea what kind of person he was. They might help us against him and his allies too.”
“New York it is, then,” Damon said with a clap of his hands. “We’d better get moving.”
Seth glanced at the toppled SUV. “On foot?”
I looked down the lonely highway and bit my lip. We’d purposely been sticking to more isolated roads, but now that could be a problem. No one had passed us since the crash. It could be a long way to the next town.
“It’s still on the road,” I said, nodding to the SUV. “Do you think the five of you could manage to push it back onto its wheels if I add some magic to the mix?”
“Can’t hurt to try,” Gabriel said. “The engine might be a problem.” He nudged Damon. “Was it still running when we tipped?”
Damon shook his head. “I remembered what you said. As soon as I could tell we were going to crash, I switched it off.”
“That gives us a better chance. Come on.”
He motioned us all over to the sideways roof of the SUV. The guys bent down and fit their fingers into the best holds they could find.
“On a count of three,” Gabriel said. “Three, two…”
I was already moving, shifting magic through me and toward the car. As Gabriel said, “One!” and the guys heaved at the frame, I shoved at it with a force of my own.
The SUV lurched upright, settling onto its wheels with a heavy thud.
For a second we all just stood there, breathing hard. I peered at the windows while Gabriel started inspecting the tires. The glass all along the left side of the car was shattered, but the rest were fine.
“I don’t think I can meld the glass back together.” I toed the shards on the ground. “But I can put up a simple illusion that’ll stop anyone from realizing they’re broken. It’s warm enough that it shouldn’t matter having some air come in, right?”
“Sounds reasonable to me,” Ky said.
“The tires look okay,” Gabriel said. “The real question is whether that engine is going to start.”
He lifted the hood and looked it over. “This isn’t the happiest looking system I’ve ever seen. But maybe…” He reached inside, twisted something, fiddled with something else. Then he pulled back, shut the hood, and held out his hand for Damon to pass him the key.
My throat tightened as he hopped into the driver’s seat. If this didn’t work…
Gabriel turned the key. The engine sputtered—and then thrummed to life. My shoulders sagged in relief.
Knocking the last few slivers of glass away from the side window, Gabriel leaned out his elbow and turned to grin at us. “Everybody back in! Let’s see what New York has in store.”
Chapter Ten
Kyler
The moon was full overhead, the night air cool on my skin, when Damon and I swapped off spots at the front of the SUV with Seth and Gabriel in the wee hours of the morning. I peered up at the gleaming circle against the near-black sky. “Well, that’s not ominous or anything.”
“I don’t think we need any omens to know we’re in a tight situation,” my twin said, but he managed to sound a little wry.
“True. Very true.” I looked him over. “You’re feeling totally okay? No headache, fogginess, or dizziness? Ringing in your ears?”
Seth shook his head at me as he got into the driver’s seat. “Why do I have the feeling you’ve been scouring the internet for symptoms of a concussion? I’m fine, Ky.” He glanced back at me to catch my eyes. “I promise.”
I held up my hands. “Hey, I had to ask. The last thing we need is you out of commission.”
Rose was still dozing in the middle row of seats, her jacket bunched under her head. When I slid in next to her, she roused enough to reach over and squeeze my hand. I squeezed her fingers in return. The sight of her, tired and probably a little frayed but able to relax for now, made my chest fill with so much affection that I almost thought it would burst.
I’d have liked to snuggle up with her and fall into my own doze, but instead I pulled out the stolen phone. Rose had worn herself ragged protecting us. I’d better do my bit to protect her.
