Chapter 30

SHE WOLF

I tossed an unconscious Claudia over my shoulder and carefully stepped through the foliage, making sure we remained undiscovered. Surviving this with Adrien was my goal, but I wasn’t some kickass or violent chick like Maya. Getting to a safe hiding space was my best bet, then I’d figure out how to contact her.

Twigs snapped and voices flitted to my ears.

Pausing behind the charred structure of dorm building one, I inhaled deeply. Smoke covered all traces of lingering scents that might have been inside.

Another branch splintered. Whoever searched would be upon us soon.

Beelining toward the toasted opening, I stepped over bricks and burned furniture. The explosion had caused the bed to move, and I wiggled between it and the wall, then set Claudia down. Adrien dropped next to me. Sweat beaded on his neck and forehead.

The voice outside dulled under the crackle of fire still burning. I closed my eyes tight and held my breath. Adrien pressed his knee into mine and tipped his head at the arm peeking out from under the bed.

I lifted my heel, ready to kick whoever was hiding.

“Don’t,” a deep voice snapped. The arm moved, and he rolled out. Yellow sparks danced from his fingers as he rubbed his hands against his thighs.

Danny? “When did you mature?”

“A week ago,” he mumbled. “I thought you died.”

I scoffed.

He rubbed his forehead and clocked Claudia beside me. The bridge of his nose wrinkled. “You shouldn’t stay here. They’ll be ransacking this place from top to bottom soon. The only place that’s already been searched is building four. I’m heading there if you want to tag along.”

Claudia groaned and blinked. She straightened with a graceful movement, immediately alert. “Danny Dinko? I’m surprised you weren’t taken out first,” she croaked. Right after being knocked out, she had jokes. I shook my head.

Danny’s lips thinned, and a flush reddened his face.

“Uh, Danny, do you know how to contact someone?”

“Everything cellular is down.” He paused. “Except for one device. Professor Grace has a satellite phone for emergencies.”

“How do you know?” Claudia snipped.

“I was her teacher’s assistant.”

I hadn’t believed in fate until this moment. There was hope for us. “Let’s get Claudia and Adrien somewhere safe, and then we can go get it.”

He turned pale, and his throat bobbed.

“We’re going with him ?” She scoffed. “Why? He’s a coward.”

“Now is not the time,” Adrien snapped.

I gripped the charred brick wall and peeked around the corner. No one yet. “We need to go now,” I whispered. Smudges came away on my fingers, and I grabbed Adrien’s hand.

Claudia opened her mouth again, probably to say something rude.

“Let’s go,” Danny muttered, cutting off whatever snide comment laced her tongue, and grabbed Claudia’s wrist. Claudia gasped, and Danny stumbled, releasing her. They blinked at each other for a few seconds.

“Guys,” I hissed. My interruption seemed to strike through them, and Danny straightened.

I’d never seen resolve settle on his expression at that level before. It was like he’d been injected with determination. He grabbed her arm and yanked her after us. We hurried into the woods. Claudia breathed so loud she sounded close to hyperventilating. Both of them were acting too weird . . .

Wait a minute, were they mates? Was that what that was?

I gawked at Claudia; she wouldn’t stop blinking. I pursed my lips to hold in my laugh. That was freaking classic. She’d always been such a bitch to him.

A scream rang through the trees.

Shit, I needed to focus. I inhaled deep, using my nose to guide us.

“I memorized the passcode.” Claudia shouldered past me and pressed numbers on the keypad leading through the backdoor of dorm four where their group used to gather. “Andrea always thought I was too much of an airhead to keep up.”

Well . . . I cleared my throat and ignored her glare. Inside was dark. It smelled stale as if there had been no movement all year. I tugged Adrien inside and across the room to the door leading into the hall. Opening it slightly, I peeked around the corner.

The hallway echoed with sobs and footsteps. The noise sounded far away.

“Wait here.” Leaving them behind, I crept down the path toward the sounds.

I careened to a stop before stepping around the corner. The stairs to Underground were packed with students making their way down. Some walked stiff and wide-eyed, while others cried.One of them dropped to their knees. Sandra approached, her expression unwavering and her eyes unfocused. I sucked in a breath, deflating when she kicked the guy down the stairs, the thumps echoing loudly until his body came to rest at the bottom.

“Faster,” she ordered. “Human swine.” Another girl scampered after the boy, tears streaming down her face. She hadn’t matured either. Human swine . . .

I backed away, hurrying down the hall to the others as quietly as possible. “I want you two to wait in here until we return.”

“What’s happening out there?” Claudia whispered.

“They’re putting all the unmatured down in the arena.” I rubbed my arms. “What’s Tanner’s number?”

“Why him?” Claudia snapped.

Why so defensive? “Do you have Enzo or Beckett’s number memorized?” I quirked an eyebrow.

She frowned and cleared her throat. “No,” she muttered and rattled off the number.

Adrien pulled me to his chest. I rested against him, not knowing if I’d make it back. His arms banded around my waist, seeming to understand.

“Helen—”

“Stay here and be quiet until we return. Hopefully by then we can sneak to the bedroom.” I turned to Danny. “Let’s go make a call.” He nodded stiffly and looked at Claudia; she avoided his eyes. “Hurry!”