Dark Serpent by Kylie Chan

Author:Kylie Chan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780732294403
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
Published: 2013-11-14T23:00:00+00:00

21

‘Left here and around the corner,’ the stone said. We were winding along narrow lanes that were barely wide enough for the kombi, passing fields holding sheep and ponies. ‘Nearly there. Three kilometres to the motorway and we’re off the island.’

Leo grunted with pain as he shifted gears. ‘Couldn’t get a modern automatic van, oh no, had to get the ancient hippie wagon,’ he grumbled.

‘Stone, does the network know anything about Daddy?’ Simone said.

‘No stones in Court Ten right now,’ the stone said. ‘Gold is trying to find out the situation.’

‘Oh god,’ I said softly.

‘Turn left here, up the ramp and you’re on the motorway,’ the stone said. ‘Across the bridge and we’re out of here, and not before time.’

‘The Jade Emperor told him to stay a month,’ Simone said. ‘Does that mean the JE didn’t know this would happen?’

‘I share your concern,’ the stone said. ‘The Jade Emperor is supposed to know all. But maybe this far West is outside his influence.’

‘I just want to know about Daddy!’ Simone said.

Leo stomped on the clutch and wrenched the gear lever, his face a mask of concentration to combat the pain.

‘I’m not hurt, I should drive,’ I said.

‘As soon we’re off this island, I’ll let you take over,’ Leo said. We approached the bridge that would take us off the island and he slowed. ‘What’s that?’

Six cars were parked in a group, blocking the bridge, and men with guns were standing in front of them.

Leo braked hard, spinning the wheel to turn the van, but all it managed was a huge clumsy circle, which brought us head-on into the side of the bridge.

The men fired and we all ducked.

Leo did a painfully slow three-point turn as bullets pinged off the outside of the bus. One cracked through the window above our heads and buried itself in the back of Leo’s headrest, sending yellowed foam flying around us.

Simone raised herself out of her seat, turned towards the back of the bus and put her hands out. The men shooting at us were knocked over, arms and legs flying.

‘We can’t ram that many cars, the kombi can’t do it,’ Leo said. ‘Can you move them, Simone?’

‘Not that many. They’re too heavy.’

‘Then we’ll have to stash the van somewhere and fly.’

‘They’re getting in the cars to follow us,’ Simone said. ‘Move, Leo!’

Leo crunched the gears, revved the engine and we shot off back the way we’d come.

‘They’re gaining,’ Simone said. ‘This thing is so slow.’ She concentrated and the tyres blew out on the three cars behind us. She pulled herself back into her seat and ran her hand over her forehead. ‘I hope there aren’t any more,’ she said, her voice trembling with effort.

‘Stone, find us a place to hide,’ I said.

‘Accessing,’ the stone said. ‘This island is tiny, and that bridge is the only way off. Can you lift the van, Simone?’

‘No.’

‘What about flying Emma off the island?’

‘I may not make it, it’s too far,’ she said. ‘Just find us another way

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