The Inner Circle (Return of the Ancients Book 3) by Carmen Caine, Madison Adler Page B

deft twist of his wrist.
    “Take the Bentley,” Rafael said, leaning down to lock gazes with me. “It’ll help you outrun the Mesmers. They’re coming.”
    Without even waiting for a response, Rafael spun on his heel and disappeared into the night.
    Jareth didn’t need to be told twice. Apparently, he knew that Rafael was speaking the truth. Slamming the car into gear, he jammed his foot on the gas pedal, and we flew into the street.
    I was too apprehensive to speak and spent my time searching the dark shadows of the night flying by us for any sign of glowing Mesmer eyes.
    But I didn’t see anything.
    And soon enough, we were pulling into Al and Betty’s driveway.
    “How can this place be safe?” I asked, casting a skeptical eye over the brightly painted blue house. “They got in before.”
    “They can’t now,” Jareth said with an arrogant shrug. “Not without killing me first. And they so desperately want me alive right now.”
    “Really?” I blinked in surprise.
    He snorted at me and opened his mouth to make some sarcastic comment when his gaze strayed to the cup holder. “Do you see that, Sydney?” His eyes widened in disbelief, and he grabbed my hand.
    I looked at the cup holder. “It looks like a normal cup holder—” I began.
    Waving me impatiently aside, he reached into it, pulled out a black protection rune, and held it up.
    I stared at it a moment. It was shiny and new, and it looked just like the one he’d given me. “I don’t get it,” I said.
    Jareth’s expression was impenetrable. “It’s the rune I gave Rafael. He still trusts me. It’s still working.”
    It was thought-provoking, but I wasn’t exactly sure what it meant. I was on the fence where Rafael was concerned.
    Flipping the rune in his fingers, Jareth tucked it away and looked over at me. “You’re safe here. Get out. Run along now. I’ve got some business.”
    Scowling at him, I got out.
    He was already moving the car before I closed the door, and then pulling away, he zoomed down the street. He didn’t look back, but he must have known I was watching him because he waved a lazy hand out of the window.
    My scowl deepened. “You’re such a brat,” I muttered as I watched him go. Feeling alone, I stepped into the house.
    I met Al and Betty in the kitchen, bundling into their coats. Apparently, they’d been invited to a Christmas party and asked me if I cared to join them.
    “No, thanks,” I said. I wasn’t really in the mood.
    “Are you sure you’ll be ok by yourself?” Betty asked in concern.
    “Of course!” I replied. After all, I’d been by myself for most of my entire life. I spied Tigger snoring in front of the refrigerator. “And I’m not really by myself,” I said, hooking my thumb in the bloodhound’s direction.
    They left a few minutes after that, promising to be home in a couple of hours.
    I heard Al’s truck leaving, and then I was alone … in a quiet house.  A too quiet house.  The only sounds were Tigger’s heavy breathing mingled with the ticking of the kitchen clock.
    In less than five minutes, I regretted my decision.
    It’s only a few hours before they’re back, Sydney , I told myself. And you can call Jareth if there’s a problem.
    Not that he’d come , I amended sarcastically.
    Time slowed to a crawl.
    I turned all the lights on in the house and moved to the family room to watch TV, trying to pretend I wasn’t nervous. But after a few minutes, I decided it wasn’t worth lying to myself. And dashing to my room, I dove under the covers and clutched Jareth’s protection rune tightly in my hands.
    Somehow, that felt safer.
    I passed the time thinking of Rafael, trying not to think of his kiss. After all, he was probably a jerk. But that really didn’t do anything to stop me from reliving the moment again and again, all the while grinning like a fool.
    I guess the stress finally caught up with me. Gradually, I got drowsier and eventually fell asleep.
    The next thing I knew, I