Page 101 of Heart of Thorns

“What are yo?—”

Broken glass catches my attention, and I instantly slip through Thorne’s grip and fall to the floor. I cradle my knees and shut my eyes.No.

The sound vibrates throughout the open space, and people yell. I’m paralyzed on the floor with fear so heavy, I can’t even hear Thorne shouting my name. It’s only when he bends down in front of me and grabs my face that I realize I’m in a full-blown panic.

“Briar, baby.”

His voice soothes me. I suck in the air he’s giving me and nod sharply. My nails dig into his forearms, and he hauls me to my feet.

Rhys’s eyes widen as he moves from me to Thorne. “Fire.”

Fire.

“Go get Marley and Lydia!” I shout to Rhys. “They’re near the front!”

Thorne nods, and Rhys is gone. He’s working against the crowd to get to my friends. He makes it to them quickly, and as soon as Thorne sees them heading in our direction, he hauls me upward and into his arms.

“Don’t panic. Just look ahead. I’ll get you out.”

Remnants of smoke float around us, and it doesn’t take much to shoot me back to that night. I shake in Thorne’s arms and wrap my arms around his neck. “I’m slowing you down. Put me down.”

“No.”

Fear sends me into a complete frenzy. The building isn’t engulfed in fire by any means. It’s not like it was doused in gasoline like the note, but it’s still a fire. Orange and red flames flick aggressively, cutting in and out between the rustling of air from everyone leaving. I see a few guys trying to put the fire out but turn away when I start to cough.

“Bury your face into my shirt.”

I do as Thorne says and keep my face there until the cool night air brushes against my neck.

“Get in!” Rhys’s voice perks me up. He’s in his car, Lydia and Marley already tucked away safely in the backseat.

I hurriedly climb in the back, ignoring the bite of pain in my knee.

“We’ve got her.” Lydia slips the seat belt over me and buckles it.

Thorne jumps in the front seat in record time, and Rhys speeds away.

The sound of sirens catches my ear. Lydia’s hand falls to my leg, and she gives it a squeeze. “You okay?”

I nod but stay silent.

“You’re all staying at our place tonight.” Thorne doesn’t turn around when he says this. His voice is low and resolute.

None of us argue.

I know what he’s thinking.

This isn’t a fluke.

It’s another threat.

And ifthisdoesn’t scare Thorne away, then maybe I’m wrong.

Maybe our fake relationship isn’t fake to him either.

CHAPTER 32

THORNE