Book 2 -33-

[Troubles II]

SEBASTIAN

“Calm down, Sebastian,” Sierra grumbled, and slid her luggage into the back seat. I shot her a look of anger tinged with surprise, which she ignored and climbed in beside me. She tightened her seat belt and gave me the “I thought you were in a hurry” look before averting her gaze out the window.

The car roared to life, bathing us in the cold air conditioning. I slammed my foot down on the gas pedal, flooring it to the ground as I sped off towards the highway to my pack. There was this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as I swerved in and out of lanes, honked at the crawling drivers ahead of me to move it along, and fought off drivers trying to pass me.

***

Before long, the roof of the packhouse came into view, and the lump in my throat climbed higher. A quick glance down at my white knuckles on the steering wheel told me I was gripping it hard enough to match the pressure in my gut.

Sierra also noticed. She squeezed her left hand into my right, mee