From Frying Pan to Strange Fire

Roman’s car zoomed off with the same speed as they came. This time, Joan kept her mouth shut even though her heart was hanging in her throat.

He made a sudden, sharp, and dangerous turn, causing the tires to make a screeching sound, but that was not all that got Joan extremely agitated. He was driving toward a very tall grass barricade which led to a farm, and he was driving at a high speed.

“What are you doing?” Joan managed to get the words out of her mouth. Despite being secured by the seat belt, her hands searched for something to hold on to as she imagined her life coming to an end already.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Instead of responding to her questions, Roman kept his gaze and focus ahead, already sighting danger around them. He was thankful for the fear in Joan’s heart because that was the only reason she kept her gaze forward. If she had managed to shift her attention to the side, she might have caught sight of the fast moving creatures in the shadows following their car.

The field he was aiming to break into was laced with a werewolf repellent substance that was strong enough to keep his followers away, but had no power over him.

In no time, he ran into the barricade, breaking open the silver gate hidden by the tall grass, then brought the car to a stop once he was inside the field.

Joan’s eyes, which had initially been shut tight when she was sure this was going to be the end, snapped open when the car came to a halt.

She stayed silent for a while, trying to come to terms with the fact that she was still alive and also normalize her breathing. When she was calm enough, she wordlessly moved her hand to the door and opened it.

“Where are you going?” Roman asked, knitting his brows as he watched her step out of the car.

When he received no response, he let out a sigh and also climbed out, walking to catch up with her. As soon as he did, he held her hand to stop her from taking another step.

“I asked you a question, Joan. Where do you think you’re going?” Roman asked, his voice coming out in a low rumble. The deep frown etched on his face deepened even more, but he tried to control his emotions so she won’t have another breath-ceasing attack.

“I’m going to find a taxi.” Joan yelled her answer, pulling her hand forcefully in order to free it from his grip, but to no avail. He didn’t let her go. “It’s okay if you want to die. Just don’t pull me along with you.” She spoke in a soft tone this time, her voice shaking as if she would break down any second. “Let me go, Roman.”

Roman wanted to laugh. She just said she didn’t want to die, yet she was asking for him to let her go. He knew she had no idea what he was saving her from, but it still sounded so ridiculous to him.

“Trevor will be here in a few minutes. He will take you home.” Roman informed her, but she shook her head.

“I don’t want to ride with Trevor either. I want to take a taxi.” Joan insisted.

“You are still not getting it. You are the wife of the most powerful man in Apex Dominica. No wife of mine will ever travel in a taxi when I can afford any type of car she desires.”

Joan narrowed her eyes, momentarily forgetting her problems as something he said just didn’t sit right with her.

“No wife of yours? How many are you planning to marry?” She asked before she could stop herself. “Nevermind.” She added, frowning when she realized what she just asked.

For a moment, Roman wanted to smile, sensing the jealousy in her tone. But knowing what she suffered in the hands of her baby husband, he kept his expression serious.

“Get back in the car if you don’t want me to carry you there myself.”

“You are a mad man.” Joan fumed, shooting him a glare.

“I take that as a compliment, baby. Shall we?” Roman flashed a smile, then tugged her hand lightly so she would start walking with him toward the car.

Joan had no more words. She was exhausted. She could as well say her last prayers and kiss her life goodbye.

“What are we doing here?” Joan asked, finally reaching the car but not going in. She relaxed her body against the side of the car where she sat earlier, her eyes looking around the vast farmland they ran into.

“We are here to admire the beautiful field.” Roman answered casually, his face holding no sign of a jest. “What do you think? Isn’t it beautiful? Have you been here before?”

“I need to lie down. I’m tired. My head is a mess.” Joan said instead of providing an answer to his ridiculous questions.

“Trevor will be here in about five minutes. He’ll take you home safely.”

Joan gave up. She peered into his eyes for a moment, then looked away from him.

Seeing the pain in her eyes hurt Roman more than anything. But he knew that was the only way to save her life. If only she had listened to him and waited till morning before coming out, they wouldn’t be in this situation.

When she looked away and said nothing further, he let out a silent sigh. Standing directly in front of her gave him access to all of her features, and most importantly, her scent. He needed lots of strength for the fight waiting for him outside the gate, especially now that Lazer was in a weakened state. Her scent seemed to be doing the magic.

Just as he said, about five minutes later, a loud tire screech reached Joan’s ears, making her heart race again when she realized she would soon be in the same car as the one driving.

While she was still processing the thought, her eyes widened when other banging and crashing sounds reached her ears. She turned to Roman, who had a deep frown etched on his features, and had turned toward the open gate.

Shifting her attention to the gate too, she waited in trepidation for the car to drive into the field, knowing it was still moving.

It took a few seconds for the car to finally show up. But Joan couldn’t believe that was the same car that drove away from her parents house with Grace inside.