Page 84 of Caretaker

We rushed down the corridor once more, and when we finally reached the first section—Bsec—I cried out with relief. Every barred cell door was open. Every cell was empty.

Jamie—likely with the help of a few friends—had freed the inmates. All of them. He was giving them a chance, even if getting off the island was an impossibility.

“They’re all gone,” Leo said, amazed. “They’re free.”

“Just as we are,” Angus said. “Let’s get the fuck out of this cage.”

I was all for that.

We weren’t the only ones rushing toward the exit doors. The blast we’d heard earlier had most likely clued everyone in on the fact that the island was wired, and the closer to the front of the prison we got, the more people we saw.

Guards and supernaturals alike, all racing toward freedom.

But the supernaturals weren’t going to let their tormentors escape. The guards were taken down, one by one. The chances of anyone human escaping the island were slim.

Which made me worry even more for my friends. Clayton wasn’t human, but what power did he have? He could shoot a gun and fight and wield a blade, but up against supernaturals like Angus and Leo, he wouldn’t have a chance.

And Alejandro was straight up human.

Rhys, I didn’t worry about Rhys. Or Amias.

We burst through the front doors and found ourselves in a world of chaotic confusion. Supernaturals milled, not sure where to go or what to do. CERT lifted their guns and made a last-ditch attempt to control the situation, as did the RVPD, but then another boom sounded and the prison began to crumble.

“Run,” someone screamed.

I looked desperately for Clayton and Alejandro, but I could not see them in the throngs of yelling, hysterical people.

“I can’t find Clayton,” I cried. “Or Alejandro! I can’t leave them here.”

“Get her on your shoulders,” Angus roared.

Leo grabbed me, lifted me into the air, and settled me on his shoulders. “Lift your sword. They will see the light.”

I pulled Silverlight and she exploded with a viciousness that nearly knocked me off the giant’s shoulders. I lifted her high. “Clayton,” I screamed.

People paused to stare, despite their desperation, at the awe-inspiring power of Silverlight.

I didn’t see Clayton or Al, but I saw the occasional group of vampires feasting on downed humans. Silverlight fought to go to them, to kill them, but I reined her in.

And then I saw Crawford.

He herded guards and his cops in the direction of the docks, and I could only hope he’d make it to his helicopter before the entire island exploded. I had no doubt that Jamie had wired the docks, as well.

“Captain,” I yelled, and he glanced up.

His stare sharpened and he smiled, maybe, then he gave me a quick salute and turned back to his people. I hoped it wasn’t the end of our story.

I liked the captain. He was one of the good guys.

But then we passed another knot of vampires, and they cringed away from my sword’s light, looking away from their meal and up at us as we jogged by. I saw a familiar face, his mouth smeared with blood, his eyes slightly crazed from deprivation and torture.

Gordon Gray.

“Son of a fucking bitch,” I whispered.

Then Rhys was there, just Rhys, because it no longer mattered that the guards might recognize him. He eyed Leo with a bit of trepidation. “This is going to hurt,” he muttered, then, “Follow me!”

I kept Silverlight aloft all the way to the docks. The crowd became a trickle, and another bomb exploded somewhere on the small island—closer, that time. Debris was flung through the air, and sparks like tiny, hot coals rained down on us.