The Three Fates of Ryan Love Read Online Free

see the damage to Love’s.
    Across the street a black cloud of smoke thundered out of the hole where the front doors of Love’s used to be. The upstairs was a jagged silhouette outlined in fire. The flames stretched high and swept across the sky with glee.
    It had happened. And, against all odds, she’d succeeded. Ryan still lived. Because of her.
    â€œHey,” Ryan said gently. “Look at me.”
    She hid her fear as she met his gaze. He searched her eyes before murmuring, “Good girl.”
    Just like he said to the dog. She laughed, pressing her face back into his warmth.
    Fire spread from Love’s to engulf everything in front of it, turning the banners into sparking bursts of blue flame, and burning through the trees. Two doors down from the decimated pub, another explosion blew out windows and shot sizzling fingers into the sky, where the wind snatched them up and whisked them along.
    Without a word, she and Ryan ran away from it. Black smoke thundered after them and more flames jumped from awning to awning. Another explosion rattled windows and jarred the sidewalk. Sparks bounced in the sucking wind and a rain of embers showered her back. She looked over her shoulder to make sure she wasn’t on fire and gave a sigh of relief when she didn’t see anything smoldering. Brandy ran beside Ryan, head swiveling as she watched for danger.
    Sabelle pulled her shirt over her mouth and nose to block out the suffocating smoke, but it stung her eyes and burned her throat. She coughed as it seared her lungs.
    Dread made it hard to think. Hard to do anything but hold on while the fire licked its blazing tongue at everything it passed. She clenched her eyes tight, but not seeing made it worse.
    Ryan turned down an alley that dead-ended at a concrete wall. She could see it ahead, pale blocks that reflected the smoke and fire barreling down on them. He raced toward it with purpose, pulling her along with him.
    Sabelle chanced a glance over her shoulder. The smoke bore down on them and it seemed that something moved beneath the surface. It pressed out, stretching like a membrane. Then it was gone, leaving her with the impression of an eyeless face and gnashing teeth.
    Once he reached the wall, Ryan braced his back against it and held out his hands for her. “Over the wall, Sabelle. That’s it. Climb. Go.”
    She quickly stepped onto his thigh and he used his hands to lift as she shifted, hefting her weight until her right foot found his solid shoulder and her left swung over. She scraped her bare thighs as she straddled the sharp edge of cinder block.
    Ryan scooped Brandy into his arms. She clung to him like a baby. Sabelle reached down and grabbed hold of Brandy’s scruff as Ryan heaved her into Sabelle’s arms.
    â€œWatch out for cactus on the other side,” he warned as he swung up beside her. The fire surged to fill the space he’d just vacated and the building on the corner detonated, sending shrapnel everywhere. She felt the bite of its heat against her cheek, smelled burning hair, roasting flesh. Brandy yelped in pain.
    â€œGo!” Ryan shouted.
    She didn’t have time to brace or consider. She wrapped her arms around the frightened dog and jumped.
    A soft, grassy bed waited on the other side, but she and Brandy came at it fast and flailing. Claws dug into Sabelle’s side as the dog pushed off. Brandy spun and got her paws under her, but Sabelle slammed down on her shoulder and rolled.
    Her head struck something hard and blinding pain ripped through her. She ended on her back staring up at the startling sky. Ryan hit the ground with more skill but less bounce. She felt the impact of his body crash down. Somewhere in the distance she heard the scream of sirens racing toward them.
    Ryan sat up quickly, shook his head to clear it, and looked around to find her. He rolled to his knees and crawled to where she lay, collapsing in the soft winter grass and pulling