The doors popped open.
Xander stood there, practically vibrating with tension. He darted at me, yanked me out of the elevator by the lapels of my suit jacket, and threw me across the room.
I landed, luckily, on one of the beds. Xander leapt on top of me.
“What the hell are you doing?” he roared in my face. “Marrying our mate?”
His weight felt like someone had dumped a refrigerator on my chest, but my anger was just as strong. I used a burst of magic to lift him up so I could speak.
“We’re here to rescue you both, you fuckwit! And you’re wasting precious time!”
Monique grabbed Xander’s arm, tugging at him. “Please, Xander, stop. Michael risked everything to help you and Kyle. Please! We have to leave quickly!”
To his credit, Xander pulled back his rage and hauled me to my feet. “Sorry.”
I shook off the feeling of being manhandled and shoved him and Kyle in the direction of the open elevator. “Let’s go. Everyone in.”
Kyle shuddered. “Another tiny room?”
“It’s the only way, Kyle. Several seconds at most. Let’s go.” I grabbed his arm, and he followed us in.
The doors closed. We all squeezed together, no one speaking, as the box ascended. The sounds of heavy breathing filled the space.
“You married her?” Kyle’s voice was quiet.
I nodded. “We’ll explain later.”
Monique met my gaze and smiled at me.
At least she knows I’m not a bad guy.
The doors opened and the house was blessedly empty. Hopefully Dad was still passed out somewhere and our clones were having fun at the reception.
Kyle was first out, followed by Xander who grabbed Monique by the hand.
Everyone hesitated.
I jumped out last. “Go! Run for the veil.”
“The veil?” Xander asked, not moving.
I pushed at his rock-hard shoulder. “My dad will wake soon. Fucking go!”
Xander didn’t ask another question, but instead followed Monique and Kyle. Together, the four of us ran down the center street of the town.
When we reached the edge of the forest, Monique clicked her fingers and changed into jeans and a sweater, then kept running. I could understand why, but I regretted the change. Her wedding dress had been beautiful.Shehad been beautiful, and for a short time, she had been genuinely all mine.
The ground trembled. I reached for a nearby tree trunk to steady myself.
“It’s an earthquake,” Kyle said from his place at the head of our group.
I shook my head. “We don’t get earthquakes in this realm. It’s my dad. He knows we’re gone.”
Monique stared at me, her eyes filled with fear.
I shooed my hands at her. “Don’t stop. Run. Show them the way.”
“Not without you,” she said.