Page 71 of Burdened Bonds

“Come with us,” Winnie says, grabbing the old woman’s arm.

“No, Winnie, there isn’t time.”

“Then I’ll stay. I’m not leaving you alone to face those bastards.”

“Winnie Wence, I am perfectly capable of looking after myself. Just because I’m an old woman, doesn’t mean I don’t have a few tricks up mysleeves–”

“But Nonny–”

“Winnie,” Rosa says, staring deep into her granddaughter’s eyes and squeezing her hands between her own. “This girl is special, we know that. And maybe she’s the one to end these dark days we’re facing. You need to find her.”

“Stone and Azlan will find her. I need to stay with you!”

“Those two couldn’t find their tits from their elbows.” Azlan bristles at the insult. “They’re going to need your help.” She pushes her granddaughter towards the hallway. “Go, darling before it’s too late.”

“I love you, Nonny,” Winnie says, throwing her arms around her grandma.

“I know you do and I love you too.”

She peers at us over Winnie’s shoulder, motioning towards us and I take Winnie’s elbow and gently pull her from her grandma and towards the interior garage door. In the doorway, I pause, and turn back to Rosa, already shuffling along to her front door.

“Thank you,” I say.

“Don’t screw this up,” is all she says and then the door is closing and we’re diving into the car once again.

“They could be waiting for us outside,” Azlan tells Winnie as she settles behind the steering wheel. “You’re going to need to floor it as soon as I blow the garage door away.”

“Okay,” she says, blinking tears away from her eyes and turning the key in the ignition, setting her jaw in a steely lock of determination.

“Are you ready?” She nods, setting the stick into reverse. “Phoenix?”

“Born ready,” I say.

“On the count of three – three … two … one!”

Azlan blasts magic behind us and the garage door is ripped from its hinges and flies away. Immediately, Winniehits the gas, shooting the car backwards out of the garage and onto the street. She screeches to a halt, and for a fleeting moment I see the shocked faces of several agents from the authorities before all hell breaks loose. Winnie yanks on the stick, we fly forward, just as the agents hurtle magic at us and Azlan and I hurtle it right back at them. Sparks hit the car, a window smashes. Winnie keeps right on driving, careening us down the street. I lean out of the window and shoot blinding magic at those bastards, hoping to take all of them out. Hoping that means Winnie’s grandma might stand a chance of running away after all.

Then Winnie’s hitting buttons as we zoom away, so fast the agents have no chance of catching us.

“Any suggestions where we go next?” Winnie asks.

“Cross country,” Azlan instructs her. “There’re too many pairs of eyes – too many spies – out here in the towns and the suburbs.” Winnie hits more buttons and half an hour later pulls us up in a turnout.

We sit there, all catching our breath, and then I lift the jar of potion from my lap.

“I say we don’t waste any more time and take this damn potion.”

Winnie swivels in the driver’s seat. “You need to drink at least a cupful.” We all gaze at the jar. There’s only enough for one.

“Shit!” I say.

“You take it,” Azlan tells me.

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “It should be you. You bonded with Rhi first. Your bond is probably stronger. Besides which, you’re a much better damn magical than I’ve ever been.”

“Bullshit, Phoenix,” Azlan says. “It should be you. You’re better with your words–”

“Me?” I say, laughing out loud in disbelief.