Chapter 30: Ava's Escape.

The roar of her bike cut through the night as Ava sped toward the forest edge, a storm of pain radiating from her wound. The darkness pressed in, and as she glanced over her shoulder, her heart dropped. Headlights glared through the trees, growing larger by the second. A vehicle was closing in fast.

Gritting her teeth, she kicked down a gear, the bike’s engine straining as she pushed it to its limits. The world blurred, trees flashing by in rapid succession. Shots rang out, piercing the quiet woods. Bullets whizzed past her, each one a reminder that the gap was shrinking. She ducked low, willing herself to be smaller, faster.

The terrain grew rougher, the bike jolting as it hit rocks and roots that clawed at her tires. But in her haste, she failed to notice a fallen log lying just ahead. With brutal force, the bike struck it, sending her flying through the air. She hit the ground with a bone-crushing impact, air knocked from her lungs, and her body convulsed with the agony of the landing. The blade in her side twisted, burrowing deeper. Her vision blurred as she lay there, gasping for air, every breath a struggle.

For a moment, time stretched endlessly. Ava lay still, aware of the approaching headlights and the heavy footfalls coming closer. A voice inside urged her to get up, to fight, but her limbs felt heavy, unresponsive. She knew if she stayed down, she would be captured or worse.

“Get up, Ava,” she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible, more a plea than a command.

With a desperate surge of strength, she tried to rise, but two pairs of rough hands grabbed her, yanking her to her feet. Pain surged through her side, and she gritted her teeth, fighting the urge to cry out.

“Well, well,” one of the men sneered, his face close enough for her to see the twisted grin. “The Blonde Death herself, helpless and at our mercy. You’re gonna pay for ever stepping foot in our town.”

Ava twisted in their grip, her hand instinctively reaching for the blade in her side, but her energy was depleting fast, her vision darkening. The other man tightened his hold, his voice filled with cruel anticipation. “Let’s see if you’re still as deadly when we’re done with you, bitch.”

Suddenly, the low, rumbling roar of an engine broke the tense silence. Headlights cut through the darkness, followed by the violent screech of brakes and the crunch of metal as the vehicle plowed into the men’s vehicle, sending it skidding sideways. Gunfire erupted, loud and disorienting. The men holding Ava cursed, dropping her as they turned to face the unexpected threat.

Ava seized the moment. With a burst of adrenaline, she gripped the knife’s handle, pulling it from her side in one swift, excruciating motion. Her vision wavered, but she forced herself forward, driving the blade into the closest man’s side, twisting it before he dropped to the ground with a strangled cry. She reached for his gun, her fingers brushing the cold metal, but before she could grab it, the other man fell beside her, taken out by gunfire.

Silence settled over the woods, punctuated only by the hum of an idling engine. Then, a familiar voice cut through the darkness. “Blondie, get your arse up here! We’ve got to go now!”

She looked up, recognizing the figure behind the vehicle, their rifle resting on the roof. It was Lucas. A weak laugh escaped her lips, strained and painful, but it meant survival. She pushed herself up, stumbling toward the vehicle as Lucas rushing over to support her.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Jesus, Ava,” he muttered, his eyes wide with concern as he helped her into the passenger seat. “What have you done to yourself? Where’s Talon? Callie?”

“They’re safe,” Ava rasped, slumping against the seat, clutching her side. “But we aren’t.” She forced a smile. “Hit it, bookworm, and don’t stop.”

Lucas didn’t need to be told twice. He leapt into the driver’s seat, slamming his foot on the gas, and the vehicle lurched forward. Ava groaned, pulling herself upright just enough to grab the first aid kit from under the seat. She tore it open, hands shaking as she searched for a bandage. Blood seeped from her side, warm and relentless, and every bump in the road sent fresh waves of pain through her.

Lucas glanced over, his brow creased with worry. “Ava, you’re bleeding all over the place.”

“Just focus on driving,” she muttered, grabbing a small bottle of antiseptic. She took a deep breath, bracing herself, then poured it over the wound. The pain flared, white-hot, forcing a gasp from her lips, but she pressed on, wrapping a bandage tightly around her waist to stem the bleeding. She leaned back, feeling exhaustion settle over her like a weight.

“Okay,” Lucas said, keeping his eyes on the road as the trees blurred past them. “There’s a Sentinel outpost a few hours, If I keep driving though the night and don’t stop, but it’s not in the direction of Green Arbor.”

Ava nodded weakly, her voice barely a whisper. “Do it. Let’s take a different route just in case they’re following.”

The adrenaline was fading, replaced by a deep, bone-weary exhaustion. She slumped against the door, her breathing shallow, but a hint of a smirk played on her lips as she looked at Lucas. “Well, this is a first—me being saved by you.”

“Don’t worry, bookworm,” she rasped. “I’ll make sure Talon knows you saved us all single-handedly.”

Lucas chuckled, keeping his focus forward. “You better. You’re never living this one down.”

As the vehicle sped through the night, Ava fought to stay conscious, replaying the night’s events over and over in her mind. The close call had been too close. The weight of her injuries bore down on her, but for now, she was alive, and that was enough.

---

Meanwhile, on the boat cutting through the dark waters, Talon sat with his arm wrapped around his mother, Selene. She looked at him, her face a mixture of hope and disbelief, her hand trembling as it reached up to touch his cheek.

“Talon…” Her voice wavered, raw with emotion. “Is it really you? I… I thought you were gone.”

Talon took her hands in his, his gaze steady, filled with the warmth he’d been waiting so long to share. “I’m here, Mum. I’m here, and I’m free.”

Tears filled her eyes as she clung to him, her voice barely above a whisper. “Holts… he told me you were dead. He promised me you were gone, that I’d never see you again, he lied about you... so many times.”

Talon’s expression darkened, memories of Holts lies flashing through his mind. “He lied to both of us. Told me you’d died too. He used that to control me, to keep me under his thumb.” His grip tightened on her hands, the pain of those memories clear in his eyes. “But I ran. I broke free from him, from the syndicate. I found something different—something worth fighting for.”

Selene listened, her eyes searching his face as if trying to piece together the son she’d lost with the man before her. “And… what did you find?”

Talon smiled, a warmth softening his gaze. “I found the Sentinels, Mum. A new life, a purpose. Friends who became family.” His voice caught, his emotions raw. “And I can’t wait to show it all to you. To share that life with you.”

Selene’s tears fell freely now, her hands cupping his face as she leaned closer. “My sweet boy… I thought I’d lost you. I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long. To finally… to finally be with you.”

He pulled her into an embrace, the years of separation melting away as they held each other. His voice was a whisper in her ear. “We’re together now, Mum. I’ll never leave you again.”

As the boat pushed further from Dust Haven, Callie sat nearby, giving them space, but a soft smile played on her lips. She could feel the weight of the moment, the quiet joy radiating from Talon and Selene as they reunited. But even as she took comfort in their reunion, a part of her mind drifted to Ava, hoping that her mentor, her protector, was out there, alive and finding her way back to them.

For now, though, the peace of the boat and the gentle sway of the water felt like safety. And that, for this night at least, was enough.