“Oh, Lola.” Ember sang, “Why don’t you come out before I start losing my patience? Wouldn’t you rather walk out with dignity than have Tessa here use her vines to drag you out by your ankles? We’ll even let your little friends go…so long as you don’t put up a fight.”

“Lola, did I not tell you to get the hell out of here?” Deacon rumbled, cursing under his breath.

Ember turned her attention to the hulking Vampire that had spoken and smiled dryly.

“Deacon, you never planned on accepting our offer, did you?” She tutted, eyes flaming with vicious excitement. “I’ll admit, as much as your loyalty would’ve made things easier, I’d much rather watch you all burn.”

As the air around her began to shimmer with heatwaves, I had one thought.

We needed to get the hell out of here, right now.

No sooner than the statement had crossed my mind, the exit doors just a few rows behind us were torn open. Blasted so hard by a gust of wind, they slammed into the walls on either side. The deafening clatter ech