The whole car jerked sideways, but ra didn''t even flinch. She nted her boot on the center console, steadying herself as she snapped up her gun and fired straight ahead.


    Her shot nailed the lead car, flipping it over and blocking the rest of the convoy behind it.


    It would only buy them a few seconds, though. The others would be back on their tail any moment.


    ra slipped back in through the open window, already reloading the gun with practiced, almost automatic movements.


    Halfway through, she paused, frowning. "Wait... did I ever actually learn how to use a gun?"


    And yet, her hands knew exactly what to do.


    She''d been wondering about it since earlier, when she''d spotted the scattered gun parts and somehow, without thinking, assembled them in seconds.


    She nced at Dn sitting beside her.


    He had his eyes closed, silent.


    Aiden up front was quiet too.


    Sensing the strange tension, ra decided not to push it.


    She rolled up the window and scooted closer to Dn. "Feeling any better?" she asked softly.


    He opened his eyes, gaze drifting to the gun in her hands.


    ra gave him a crooked smile. "This thing''s pretty handy. Guess I must''ve learned somewhere... just can''t remember who taught me."


    Her words faded as a surge of blurry, chaotic memories crashed through her mind, making her head pound.


    She didn''t let it show. Instead, she grabbed a tissue and gently wiped the sweat from Dn''s forehead.


    "Dn, I''m talking to you. Are you okay?"


    He nodded slightly, his eyes searching her face. Finding nothing unusual, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.


    ra found herself half-trapped against his chest, unable to move.


    Was this guy actually touch-starved or something?


    Dn really was a good guy, but she knew she couldn''t stay. She had her own people to look out for.


    The car


    enemy


    down the road, the


    des closing in again but


    just then, Dn''s team. Out


    cutting them off.


    ra let out a shaky breath, stashed


    the gun back in the glove box, ande


    caught a glimpse of a small box tucked in the divider


    Her eyshes fluttered, but she didn''t ask. Instead, she leaned back, closed her eyes, and tried to rest.


    She figured as long as Dn''s


    people were here, they''d be safe. But then


    rout of nowhere, an explosion


    rocked the road ahead. Even Aiden let out a curse.


    Boulders crashed down from the mountain, smashing into the car and sending them tumbling down a steep slope.


    ra''s world spun.


    When the car finally stopped, she shoved open the door and staggered out into andscape that feltpletely unfamiliar.


    They were definitely miles from the Capital now-but Dn''s team was on the way.


    She ducked back inside to check on everyone: Dn was fine, but Aiden was bleeding from a nasty gash on his head.


    ra exhaled in relief, checked Aiden''s pulse, and when she was sure he''d make it, turned to Dn.


    The car was a mangled mess, but somehow it hadnded upright. It looked like hell, but they were alive.


    Dn sat there, his shirt sleeves dirtied and torn, staring at ra through the shattered window.


    ra took a step back, feeling like he''d just seen straight through her. But she didn''t have time to worry about that.


    "Dn, maybe we''ll meet again sometime," she said, her voice steady.


    She turned and walked away without looking back.


    His team would be here soon-he and Aiden would be okay.


    This was her only chance to go.


    Dn watched as she vanished into the mountains, then dropped his head and let


    out a cold, bitterugh.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!