#Chapter 151 – Down in Flames

I dash into the boys room, waking them as gently as I can in my frantic state. Archie comes with me, barking at my heels.

“Boys,” I say as they rub their eyes and groan. “Quickly – you’re safe, but I need you to move.”

They respond quickly, their faces grave as they pull themselves out of bed and slide their slippers onto their feet. Taking each by the hand, I pull them down the stairs, the dog following behind. Victor is already by the back door, looking out.

“Mama,” Alvin says, his voice trembling. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s a fire, baby,” I say, trying to peer beyond Victor at the flames, “up at the big house.”

Both boys gasp and I go to one knee in front of them, trying to will seriousness and confidence on my face to calm them. “Daddy and I are going to go up and see if we can help, but we need you two to be safe. Okay?”

The books look at each other, considering, and then turn to me and nod. “Good boys,” I murmur, and then pull them over to the front door. Beta Frank is there, the radio on his shoulder buzzing with communication from the other Betas up by the house.

“Frank,” I say, speaking quickly and pushing the boys towards him. “I need you to take them in the car, drive them away – you don’t need to go far, but I want some safe distance between them and any danger –“

I look him in the eyes and I hope that my expression communicates that I’m putting my entire world in his hands.

He gives me one solid nod, confident. “I’ll take care of them, ma’am. With my life.”

“Thank you, Frank,” I murmur, kissing each boy on the head before giving them a little push towards Frank. Then I pick up Archie too, giving him a little kiss on the nose and pressing him into Frank’s arms as well.

Frank leads the boys away to the Hummer parked out front and I spin back to Victor, running to him. When I am by his side, we both bolt out the back door and up to the house.

“Is it,” I ask, panting, “is it an attack?”

leaving me a behind. When I catch up to him at the pool, he’s already consulting with his Betas. Burton is there – thank god – sitting on a chair

you all right?” I ask, putting my hand on his shoulder. He nods at me, his face covered in soot. “What happened?” I

away from his face. “I woke up to smoke everywhere – luckily,

gasp, looking around for

Victor, standing just at the foot of the porch stairs. He looks to me, worried. Apparently he has received the same

the shoulders, “the fire department is on its way – but Rafe

at him, understanding. He has

hug, pressing a kiss to my head. “No matter what happens, Evelyn,” he says, holding me at arms length, “you stay out here. No one is to enter – the Betas have orders –

his elbow to his nose as he pushes through the back door. I watch him go – there are no flames in the kitchen yet, just thick smoke into which

they’re upstairs,” a Beta says, “in their bedroom.”

I notice something. Peering through the back door, I have a very slight view of the living room beyond. And there, on the floor, just by the couch, I see a

hand – its delicate fingers splayed out

and then – without thinking –

process what they’re saying as I push myself over the threshold. The smoke is thick now, roiling above me –

the living room, coughing as the smoke mingles with

in a few strides to see Bridgette laying on her stomach on the floor, apparently passed out from the smoke. Perhaps she was asleep when it started

pulse at her neck. I breathe out a relieved breath when I feel her life beating below my fingers. And then I move, hauling at

and the exit there. Her foot gets stuck on the couch and, as I lay her back down to release it, I look around to see flames starting to

s**t –

but she’s heavy.

to pull, coughing as the smoke grows ever thicker, beginning to fill the room. I see something moving out of

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