Page 336

STATE OF KER

Shay wrenched openthe passenger’s-side door and practically fell into the street. Bloody and battered, she crawled across the cracked pavement, twisting around so she could get her hands on the destroyed passenger’s seat.

“Paxton,” she gasped. She tried to slide the seat forward, but it was jammed. She lowered her head to see inside the crumpled car?—

Paxton was passed out in the back seat. He croaked as he came to, slowly blinking his heavy eyelids. “Wh-what?” he slurred. He had a cut on his brow, but apart from that, he was okay, thank gods. “What happened?”

“Come here, Pax,” she urged softly. She brushed shards of glass off the seat, then opened her aching and trembling arms to him. “Come on—let’s get you out of there.”

He climbed out of the car with care, tucking his hands into his sleeves to shield his fingers from the shattered glass and bits of sharp metal.

“Come on—you’re almost there,” Shay encouraged, shifting forward on her knees. As soon as he was close enough for her to reach him, she took him by the hands and helped him out, then gathered him into an embrace.

He threw his arms around her, burying his filthy face against the side of her neck. She could feel his heart racing.

“Are you okay?” she asked, holding him tight.

He sniffled. “Yeah. Think so.” He kept holding onto her, his arms trembling as hard as hers. She heard his breath hitch?—

“It’s okay—shh, it’s okay.” As she held him, murmuring words of comfort, she scanned her surroundings, processing the damage.

There had to be over a dozen casualties. People were crying, others groaning in pain, a few screaming for help.

Behind what was left of Roman’s car lay a body.

It was Dean.

Shay paled.Gods above.

“Pax.” Gently, she disentangled herself from his grasp and pushed to her feet. “Stay here, okay? Stayright there—don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

She could feel Paxton watching her as she sprinted over to Dean. Past crying and injured people and burning vehicles. In the distance, there were sirens. She crouched down beside Dean and checked his pulse.

It was faint. A barely-there flutter.

“Shit,” Shay hissed.

She got to her feet and pivoted on a heel. Searching for help. For?—

Wait.

Wait.

“Where’s Roman?” she squeezed out.

Paxton staggered to his feet and craned his neck, scanning the road in search of Roman. His brown eyes—shining with fear—snapped to her face.

Shay’s heart seized. “Where is your brother?” She hardly recognized the sound of her own voice, could hardly feel herbody as terror overcame her, threatening to lock up her muscles, stop her heart.

She started running up and down the highway. “Roman?” she called. Faster, her heart pounded. Faster, she ran, her head swiveling about.

There was no sign of him.

She sucked in a breath and screamed,“Roman! ROMAN!”Where thehellwas he? “ROMAN! ROOOOOOOMAAAAAAN!”

She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’tthink?—

A gasp came from behind her.