Primous Rising [Book 1 of The Unravelling series]

1. Celestiana

The ground shook. Tyres spat dust and dirt into the air, where it mixed with exhaust and left a brownish-grey whirlwind in its wake. The black sports car sped through the forest, swerving left and right to avoid the plants.

Five bats flew alongside the racer, dark smoke clouding their wings as they strained to keep up with it.

Four jeeps chased them not far behind, nearing with every passing second.

The young man glanced through the rearview mirror and caught a glimpse of the remaining distance between them and their pursuers. Tightening his grip on the steering wheel, he pushed down the gas pedal with more force.

They mustn't get captured. And they both were aware of that.

"Not to worry you or anything, but I think they are catching up to us," the girl apprised the obvious to her companion as she nervously glimpsed behind her. Her mouth had gone dry, her heart thundered in her chest. Frustration and anger pumped through her veins. The fear of being seized and forced back to the Royal Palace was enough to keep her from sitting still.

"Thank you Celest, as if I already didn't know that," he snapped.

"So drive faster, Elliot!" she half screamed.

"This is the maximum speed," he bellowed.

One of the black jeeps drove parallel to them.

Elliot swerved the car in a swift motion, but it did not give them an advantage.

Celestiana spotted the beads of sweat gathering on his brows. He swallowed with effort, his Adam's apple bobbing. He appeared older than his twenty-one years of age. His silky dark brown hair unruly, dark circles shading under his eyes, stubble covered his cheeks after four days of being on the run.

At least we are clean, she thought to herself. Although last night's shower water wasn't warm, she knew better than to complain. It was worth it, and soon they'd be free. None of this would matter.

I'll endure any hardship that would get me far away from this land, its people along with its troubles. 

Another jeep began driving next to their car on Elliot's side. Celest clutched the armrest of the door cursing herself for not being able to blow them to debris.

Her phone buzzed, and grabbed her attention. She caught Elliot's widened whiskey brown eyes peeking at her.

"It's Nikolus, relax," she informed and received the call.

"Bad news, plan A is a complete fail," Nikolus's deep voice came from the other end.

"Tell me about it," Celestiana muttered, rolling her eyes. She pushed a stray strand of her burgundy hair behind her ear, the loose knot she had tied her long hair into was coming off.

"Now is not the time, Celest. Listen carefully, here's Plan B." His calm tone eased her racing heart.

"I'm listening. Just so you know, we're getting caught over here, so it better be good," she warned and glanced at the mirror.