Shimmering Chaos (Enchanted Chaos 2)

The engines shut off, then the drivers climb off and remove their helmets.

“What the fuck happened?” Max tosses his helmet onto the seat of his motorcycle, then rakes his fingers through his dark hair, the strands somehow falling perfectly into place. “We felt something down the link and I…” He massages the center of his chest, as if his heart deeply aches.

Easton’s chest rises and crashes as he releases an unsteady exhale. “This guy Brody has been holding a grudge against Foster for a while, and when he saw Foster with Sky, he decided to get back at Foster by… by locking Sky in the room of darkness.” He shakes his head, the muscle in his jaw pulsating. “Then he tried to kiss her and… fuck. This is so messed up.”

Max pales as he looks down at me. “Are you okay?”

I nod, even though I’m not sure I am. “Yeah… I think so…” A yawn escapes me. “I’m just a bit tired.”

Max frowns in skepticism, but doesn’t call me out on my lie.

As Porter’s eyes fall to me, a pucker forms at his brows. “Why does it feel different?” His gaze rises to Easton, his brow quirking up.

“I don’t know…” Easton lifts a shoulder. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“What’re you talking about?” I ask, glancing between the three of them. “What feels different?”

Porter stares at me with a calculating look on his face, as if he’s deciding whether or not to answer me.

“Nothing,” Easton says quickly. “Look, can you guys take her home? I think I need to go find Foster and make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.”

“You probably should. I can feel a lot of anger through the link right now,” Max mutters, stepping toward East. “Give her to me. Porter and I will take her home in the car. Hunter’s on his way too. I think he’s taking a portal, though, so if he gets here in time, we’ll have him ride home with us. You and Foster can drive those home.” He nods at the motorcycles then takes me from Easton’s arms.

“I can walk,” I say with wavering confidence as I move to climb out of his arms.

But Max only holds me tighter against his chest. “Stay still and let me carry you.”

My lips part in a protest, but Porter cuts me off as he steps closer to Max and I and leans over me.

“Honey, you can barely keep your eyes open.” His head angles to his side, then he reaches out and traces his fingers underneath my eyes. “You should try to go to sleep. Let your power rest for a bit. After what happened…” He seals his lips together then trades a quick look with Max.

I want to ask what the hell they’re keeping from me, not that I’d think they’d tell me, but dreamland tugs at my mind, and hastily pulls me under.

Chapter 8

When I come to again, I keep my eyes shut, mostly due to my eyelids being heavy. At first I think I’m laying in my bed at the Everettson’s house until I note the soft surface underneath my body is made of leather.

I must be in the backseat of Foster’s car.

One thing’s for sure. The object my head is resting on is definitely too hard to be a pillow.

Where the hell am I? And what am I lying on?

“She sleeps soundly,” a recognizable voice says. Then fingers stroke my cheek.

That voice…

Hunter?

Oh my god, my head is resting in Hunter’s lap.

“It’s probably from the power drain,” Max replies. “The power that ripped through her while she was in that room nearly melted my insides. I can’t even imagine how intense it was for her.”

“I know,” Porter agrees. “It was intense even for me, which is saying a lot.”

So Porter, Max, and Hunter are in the car with me. Why does this make me feel so anxious? Not that I’m afraid of them. But out of all the Everettsons, Porter is the most intimidating, and Hunter has no boundaries. As far as I can tell, Max is nice and not as intense, but still…

“The link feels restless,” Max states. “Is she doing okay back there?”