24
My soles thumped onto the paving. Pain splintered through my shins.
I gasped, stumbling backward, as footsteps scrambled across the bedroom above me. A kick of my feet forced me upright, and I took off.
“Jem!”
At Ethan’s shout, I ran faster. Snow sprayed up, flecked my ankles, its crisp iciness numbing my soles.
“Jem, wait!”
A thud hit the ground at my rear. I didn’t have to look to know it would be Ethan. Just as I knew changing would be my only chance if I wanted to outrun him.
I grabbed at the hem of my T-shirt, yanked it over my head. The fabric sailed to the ground as I ducked beneath the arches.
“Jem!” The power behind Nathan’s roar faltered my step.
I skidded and spun round.
He hung from the window, finger pointed at me. “Don’t you dar—”
I slammed my hands over my ears
