TIED (A Fire Born Novel) by Laney McMann Page B

off, pushing my way toward the door. She jogged alongside me, knocking into people.
    “I’m only trying to help.”
    “This isn‘t helping.”
    The moon paled against the darkness, nothing more than a blurred white sliver in the ink sky. Even the stars seemed dull and distant. Benny hit the keyless remote on her car, the headlights flickering in the parking lot ahead of us.
    “So … you going to fill me in on the Max situation?”
    “As soon as I figure it out,” I mumbled.
    She opened her car door. “Whatever you say. It was only a matter of time, though.” She gave a twisted grin and climbed into the car.
    What’s that supposed to mean?
    I reached for my door handle, ready to question her, when my head slammed against the metal with a dull crack. Spots of light flashed through my mind as I fell to the ground. Sticky liquid crawled across my face, and I searched the pavement for the slippery substance that must’ve been under my feet, causing my fall, staggering to hands and knees. Invisible arms hurled me against the car a second time, the jolt momentarily paralyzing me, before I pushed to my unsteady feet with my head throbbing. Sheer, illuminated figures quivered in the distance. The chill of fear shook me from head to foot as deafening screams pierced my mind.
    “Layla!” Pounding, running feet sounded somewhere in the distance.
    “Layla! Get down on the ground. Now!”
    I tried to focus on the voice, but wails kept building—muddling my thoughts, luring me up.
    “Laylaaaa!” The voice moved closer, breath heaving.
    I planted my feet, determined to fight back, and squinted into the black night, heat bubbling and stirring in the pit of my stomach and coursing through my limbs.
    “Layla! What are you doing? Get down!”
    I shook my head, refusing to cower, raising my arms. A distant caw called from the recesses of my mind, encouraging me, pushing me. Taunting me. I took a step forward, and a burst of wind shot past me with the force of a hurricane, pinning me back against the side of the car. Street lights crashed to the ground, ripped from their foundations, exploding in showers of sparks. Cars hurtled through the parking lot, crashing into one another in mid air, metal and debris breaking off and careening in every direction. The wind whipped through the night with the roar of a sonic boom, and the wails stopped.
    Footsteps on pavement, crickets, traffic noises— tranquil sounds of night—all returned in a gentle swelling hum.
    “Layla?” Arms gathered around my waist. “Look at me.”
    My head lolled back like it wasn’t attached to my neck.
    “Whoa … I’ve got you.” Max strengthened his hold.
    Like the sharp pop of a whip, my senses snapped at me. “I can’t breathe. It’s so hot.” My palms slipped, attempting to hold onto his neck.
    Panic washed his face as he gripped me tighter. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
    An odd sensation burned every bare inch of my skin—like hot coals threatening to erupt in a blaze.
    “It’s okay now.” He panted, brushing hair from my face. “Just breathe.”
    I hoped I wasn’t burning him. “I’m happy to see you,” I said into the crook of his neck.
    He chuckled. “Can you stand?”
    “I think so.”
    “Are we leaving, or what?” Benny rolled the passenger window down, and leaned across the passenger seat, looking up at me.
    Did she not see all of that? Again? “Uh,” was all I could manage.
    She glanced up toward Max. “Where’d you come from?”
    “Oh, I was driving by when I saw you guys. Thought I’d say hey.”
    His lie came out smoothly, naturally. That’s not a good sign.
    “Do you mind if I take Layla home?” he asked as though he needed her permission.
    “Oh, right, yeah sure, of course.” She waved and took off.
    “Let’s get you to my car.” He bent down, knocked his hand across the back of my knees making me fall into his arms, and carried me to the side street along the curb. “How’s your head?”
    I touched