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Flames licked the door, but it wasn’t engulfed.
They could get out. It was possible.
She grabbed the doorknob.
It seared her skin. She yanked her hand away, shook it. Checked her palm. Didn’t look nearly as bad as it felt.
Bella’s eyes widened as if to ask what to do now.
More gunfire, from both inside and out.
Yelling cut through the roar of the blaze. One voice sounded like Damon’s.
She stared at the doorknob. There had to be another way.
A ceiling beam engulfed in flames fell onto the altar. The fire devoured the curtain as if it were covered in gasoline.
Diego, Neil, and the others raced around.
Neil shot in their direction.
Ariana pulled Bella to the ground.
The bullet hit the door. A crack snaked down.
It was weak. They could break through it. Escape.
Get to Damon. Go home to safety.
She leaped to her feet. Stared down the door. Braced herself. Threw all her weight against it. Closed her eyes and protected her face.
Broke through.
Ari gasped in the cool night air. It was still smoky, but so much clearer.
Bella ran out the door, grabbed her, clung to her.
Together they ran to the woods then hid among the trees, breathing heavily. Leaning on one another. Scanning the crowd for their loved ones.
Neil, the other gunmen, and Bella’s parents stumbled out. Looked around. Hurried toward the small crowd.
Bang! Bang!
The Charger’s engine roared again. Plumes of dust gathered behind the wheels.
It lunged toward the building.
Ariana’s heart leaped into her throat.
Damon thought she was inside and he was going straight into the engulfed building.
She had to stop him.
Ari raced from the cover of the trees, waving her hands and screaming. Her high heels caught on rocks. She kicked them off. Ran faster, still yelling. Bumped into people. Nearly knocked someone over. Went around the building, ready to leap in front of the car.
Whatever it would take to keep Damon safe.
Hands grasped her waist. Pulled her away.
