Shadowed (Dark Protectors) (19 page)

“What?” he asked.

Fury lit Dage’s eyes. “We have confirmation that a squad of demons found the Kurjans. They’ve taken Garrett.”

A
ll thought and sound screeched to a stop in Jase’s head. His vision narrowed to a tunnel. His heart rate actually slowed. “No.”

“Yes.” Dage pushed inside the lodge and slid open a keypad. A hidden door opened to reveal a large armory. “We traced the message to the warehouse district in Seattle.”

Jase yanked a vest over his head. “Why did the demons take Garrett?”

“Doesn’t matter.” Dage tied a knife sheath to his leg.

Jase stilled. “They’ll want a trade. They want me.”

“I said it doesn’t matter.” Dage tightened his bulletproof vest. “You’re staying here to guard headquarters.”

“No, I’m not.” Jase reached for a knife long enough to decapitate a demon in one slice. “I spent five years with them. Five years learning how to counter their mind attacks. You need me.”

“I can’t afford you right now,” Dage said grimly. “Sorry.”

Conn grabbed Dage’s arm. “Jase is right. We need all the help we can get countering their attacks. Somebody has to keep a clear head.”

Dage stepped into Conn’s space. “Jase hasn’t had a clear head in five years.”

Jase cleared his throat. “I’m standing right here, assholes.” He slipped the knife along his leg. “I know I’ve been on edge, and that I screwed up last time. But I’m dealing, and I’m focused. Plus, I’m an excellent decoy considering the demons want me back.”

Dage turned his head. “Why? Why do they want you so badly?”

“Willa wants me.” Just the words burned down his throat. The fucking female demon had tried to seduce him more times than he could count, and he’d almost fallen into her trap. “Her brother probably just wants me dead.”

“If you screw this up, I’ll kill you myself—and no bringing the Degoller Stars,” Dage muttered. “Everyone else is arming themselves underground. We meet at the helicopters in ten minutes.” He turned and jogged toward the doorway. “Take a moment and say good-bye to loved ones. This is going to get ugly.”

Conn grabbed another gun and pierced Jase with a look. “Don’t make me regret backing your play. If you do screw up, Dage won’t get the chance to kill you before I do.” Without another word, he turned and ran into the night.

Jase swallowed. Two death threats in the span of a minute. Not a bad night, all in all. While he wanted to bring the decapitating stars, he understood Dage’s insistence on adhering to the treaty. Those stars killed vampires as easily as demons. He headed into the night, turning toward his home. What was left of it, anyway.

He found Brenna sitting on a bench overlooking the tumultuous sea. Moonlight glinted off her hair, bathing her like a goddess. The moment hurt. His chest ached.

“So you’re going to fight demons,” she said softly.

“Yes.”

She shook her head. “Do you think you’re ready?”

Hell, no. He’d never be ready. “Yes.”

She stood to face him, her head not reaching his chin. “If I asked you not to go?”

His mouth opened but no sound emerged.

She nodded. “That’s what I thought.”

“I have to go. It’s Garrett.” Surely she understood.

“Yes, I know.” She reached up and palmed his jaw.

Everything in him wanted to lean into her touch. To lose himself in her. So he remained still. “I’ll return by dawn.”

“You’ll save Garrett. I’m sure of it.” Her gray eyes glowed with an ethereal glimmer in the moonlight. For the first time, he saw the lineage of witches in her. Powerful, beautiful, feminine witches who harnessed the moon.

“I know.” He brushed a kiss on her nose.

She swallowed. “Will this obsession ever be over? Even after you find Garrett?” Her small shoulders steeled as if for a blow.

“No.” He frowned. “Not until the last one is dead. No more demons.”

“That’s what I thought,” she murmured and stepped back. “Stay safe, Jase.”

He hesitated and then nodded. “Moira is staying to help secure headquarters. You stick with her squad.” Without waiting for an answer, he turned and jogged around the house to the street. Something had just happened with Brenna, but he couldn’t figure it out. The words had felt like good-bye.

He shook his head, breaking into a full run toward the landing areas. There would be time to fix things with Brenna after he got Garrett back. A familiar rage welled up from his gut, and he ruthlessly shoved fury down. Anger wouldn’t help him now. He’d learned young that killing with cold efficiency kept him alive. That was what he needed now—because there was no doubt he’d kill tonight.

He reached the head helicopter and jumped in the back next to Conn. Dage piloted while Talen sat in the front. “Go,” he said, shutting the door.

The bird lifted into the air. Talen nodded for him to slip on earphones and waited until he complied. “Three copters, attack formation. You’re shield, Jase.”

Jase nodded.

“Kane and Amber are in helicopter two for shields.” Kane’s mate, Amber, had a natural ability to shield from demon attacks, and Kane had slowly learned the skill from her. “The last helicopter will come in from the sea, blasting as we land.”

Jase took a deep breath. As a plan, it was risky. But it was all they had. “Do we know Garrett is on location?”

“No.” Talen turned back toward the front windshield. “I also don’t like how we traced the message. Kane said the message was well secured, and he had to go through several servers, but still. Might be a trap.”

Jase leaned forward. If it was a trap, they were prepared. “The key to countering a demon attack is to let it in.” Which explained why he’d gone so nuts.

Talen turned his head. “Let it in?”

“Yes. Let the images in, let the pain in, and make it yours. If it’s yours, no matter how devastating, it can’t kill you. It can’t decapitate you. Enjoy the pain.” He’d give anything not to have to admit that.

Serious eyes filled with sorrow as Talen studied him before turning back to the night. He exhaled. “Fair enough.”

They flew low, hugging the treetops, the ocean glinting to the left. Jase closed his eyes, resting his head against the wall. What was up with Brenna? He was losing her, and part of him wondered if he’d ever had her. Their mating was unconventional, but he’d come to rely on her in the short time they’d been together.

Could she rely on him?

Her plan to head back to Ireland for the solstice didn’t sit well. He needed her close and safe on his continent. The witches couldn’t protect her like he could.

Within an hour, his head started to ache. His eyes slowly opened. “The pressure in the air has changed.”

“No shit,” Talen muttered.

“Don’t forget to let the pain in and ride it.” Jase leaned to look at the trees spinning by. How many demons were down there? Enough to affect the atmosphere just by existing. Anticipation slithered down his spine.

The helicopter set down in a darkened alley. Jase jumped out, sprinting into a fast jog behind Talen. They maneuvered through alleys, keeping to the shadows, until they reached a chain-link fence. He scaled it easily, landing quietly on the other side.

The industrial park was silent, but the thrum of power rode the wind.

“Heat signatures in Building 4A near the wharf,” Kane said through the earpieces.

Talen gave the go-ahead, and Jase sprang into action.

The demons hadn’t realized they’d been compromised, or the pain would have started.

He peered around an outbuilding at the innocuous warehouse and lifted his assault rifle. His finger itched with the need to fire. So he took several deep breaths, filling his lungs with the scent of salt and ocean.

Talen cut him a glance. “You okay?” he mouthed.

Jase nodded. His knees vibrated, wanting to run and attack.

“Everyone is in position. Fire in the hole,” Dage ordered from the other side of the building.

The night lit up with fire.

All four walls of the building exploded outward. They couldn’t risk harming Garrett, so the charges had been placed to open and not destroy.

A slam of energy hit Jase from the south. He grabbed Talen’s arm and pointed to a gray outbuilding that was big enough for one room. “In there,” he mouthed. Then he ducked low and ran toward the back.

Talen followed, guns in hand. The sounds of battle echoed behind them with shrieks of pain and gunfire. Smoke filled the air.

Reaching the back door, Jase nodded.

Talen yanked it open, and Jase darted inside.

Three men in full soldier uniforms stood in attack formation, guns out. Maps lined the walls, and a table in the center was full of battle plans. Debris, containers, and bricks were scattered throughout the space.

Jase dove to the side and rolled, coming up firing.

Talen did the same.

Jase hit one demon, while the other two ducked behind metal containers.

The breath in Jase’s lungs heated. He recognized one of the soldiers. A high-up officer in Suri’s army, the guy had helped torture Jase more than once. He growled low, rage sharpening his vision.

Talen scrambled to the north and jumped the other guy, hitting him in the head three times. The demon hit the floor, unconscious.

Jase ducked under a volley of bullets and reached the one he’d shot. Removing the long blade, he decapitated the bastard with one hard slice. Turning, he slid between two containers.

Images of death filtered through his head along with a piercing pain. He smiled, his fangs dropping. Opening his mind, he allowed the terror to take hold. Bile rose from his gut. He sucked in all the demon energy he could reach. The pain slowly dissipated, digging somewhere deeper than his physical being. Something to worry about later.

He lifted up, facing the remaining soldier. “I remember you.”

The demon smiled, his black eyes morphing to purple. “I remember you, too.”

Talen staggered into view, his knife at the throat of the demon slowly regaining consciousness. “Stop the attack, or he loses his head.”

The mind attack ebbed.

Blood dripped off the knife in Jase’s hand. “Where’s my nephew?”

The demon frowned. “Not here. Why would you think he’s here?”

Fucking demons always lied. Fury ripped down Jase’s torso, and he stalked closer. “Last chance. Tell me where he is.”

The demon’s silver medals matched his hair. Had he earned some of those by torturing Jase? By breaking him? The bastard shook his head. “I don’t know where he is.”

Jase darted forward.

“
Cineri gloria sera venit
,” the demon chanted.

Jase stopped cold. Confusion hazed his vision. His gun lowered.

“Jase?” Talen growled, angling to the side.

No sound would come out of his mouth, no matter how hard Jase tried to speak. His legs weakened.

The demon chuckled. “You didn’t think we let you live for the hell of it, did you?”

Dread weighed down Jase’s limbs. He coughed, fighting to speak. “Can’t move.”

Talen sliced off the head of the soldier he was holding, throwing him to the ground and reaching for Jase.

“
Cineri gloria sera venit
.” The remaining demon hissed. “Now, you kill.
Nunc
.”

Jase pivoted, his gun rising to point at Talen. Oh God. He fought his own hold, but it was absolute. What in the hell? He tried to growl, but nothing came out. His legs trembled with the need to turn away, but they remained in place.

His brain wasn’t controlling his body.

Talen’s eyes widened. “Jase. You can beat this. Dig deep.” Even so, Talen slowly drew a knife from his pocket.

Jase slid the safety into place.

“
Nunc
,” the demon said.

The safety clicked off with a flick of Jase’s finger. His shoulders shook as he tried to fight the command to kill.

Talen dropped to the ground and threw the knife. The long blade embedded itself in the demon’s eye. The soldier grabbed the handle, screaming.

The mental hold on Jase disappeared. Roaring, he turned and tackled the demon.

“Wait, Jase,” Talen yelled. “We need him for information.”

A roaring filled Jase’s head. Blood covered his vision. Rage heated him until he couldn’t breathe. Yanking out his knife, he slammed it into the demon’s neck, piercing all the way to the floor. Spitting venom, he twisted right and then left.

The demon’s head rolled away.

Jase lifted up, bellowing. He’d kill them all. Pivoting, he ran toward the door.

Talen stopped him, both hands against his chest.

Jase threw his brother to the side, yanking open the door.

Talen’s tackle came from behind and thunked Jase’s face against the asphalt. A firm hand grabbed his hair, lifted, and slammed his forehead back down.

Stars exploded behind his eyes.

Then, he slid into the safe blackness of unconsciousness.

E
ven though the demon was holding back his power, Garrett’s brain hurt like it was swelling against his skull. He swallowed blood from biting his tongue. The steps to the top wavered, and he had to concentrate not to trip.

Gunfire echoed through the night.

He reached the top of the boat, and fresh air slapped him in the face. Cold and pure, it tempted him to breathe deep. Two men grappled near the bow.

The demon shoved him in the ribs. “The raft is over there.”

A second demon shot a Kurjan and knocked him into the water. The demon jogged over. “The boat will detonate in three minutes.”

“Good,” the first demon said. “Let’s get out of here.”

A small splash sounded, and a large hand gripped the railing before a man vaulted over. Water sprayed. He swung at the other demon, knocking the guy to the ground.

Hope filled Garrett. While the guy wore a mask, he obviously wasn’t a demon.

The demon holding him shoved him harder toward the stern. “Move, kid.”

Garrett slid across the wet floor, tightening his knees for balance. “Untie my hands, and I won’t fall.”

“Don’t care if you fall.” The soldier grabbed his arm and yanked.

“Now that’s just not nice.” Garrett pivoted and kneed the guy in the nuts. The demon hissed in pain. Garrett crashed his forehead on the guy’s nose.

Cartilage cracked.

Instant pain ripped into Garrett’s brain. He cried out, going blind. A punch to the face sent him ass-over-teakettle back down the stairs. His face landed first, followed by his legs.

The pain in his nose compounded the agony in his brain, and he rolled over.

With a hard
thump
, the demon landed next to him. The bastard groaned as he hit. Garrett scrambled to the far wall, tugging uselessly with his wrists.

Long legs came into view as the man dressed in black jumped into the room, slamming the door shut. He was dripping wet, and a mask still covered his face.

The demon lifted his head, and the tall guy slammed a flak boot into his jaw. The demon slumped unconscious.

Using the wall for balance, Garrett stood. Who was this guy? Green eyes stared out of the mask, and sharp fangs dropped low. A vampire? “What the hell?”

The guy grabbed Garrett’s elbow and swung him around. A quick snip, and his hands were free.

He pivoted. “You’re a vampire?”

“Partly.” The guy ripped off the mask to reveal a hard face with dark hair. A scar lined the side of his face.

Gunfire pattered through the night.

The guy turned and eyed the exposed wires in the cell. “Hmmm.” Grabbing the demon by the armpits, the guy threw him with a fierce grunt. The demon hit the wires and kept going.

“Duck.” The vampire tackled Garrett to the carpet.

The world detonated.

Heat flashed a second before smoke filled the cell.

Garrett turned his head to view the gaping hole in the wall. Moonlight glinted off the churning waves outside.

The boat pitched.

The vampire hauled Garrett up by the shirt and tugged him to the opening. “Jump and swim north. I have a raft waiting.”

A body hit the water from the above deck. Garrett’s gut clenched. “Thanks, but I’ll just—”

The guy knocked him into the water.

He went under, swallowing salt. Sputtering and swearing, he shoved to the surface and smacked his head on the bottom of the boat. The guy splashed next to him and yanked him free.

“Listen, kid. If you want to live, you’ll follow me to the fucking raft.” Turning, the guy dove under the surface.

Garrett paused and eyed the ocean. He couldn’t see the shore, and the boat would explode soon. Taking a deep breath, he slipped a knife from the throat of a floating body and then dove to follow his dubious rescuer.

He kept pace, keeping track each time the guy readjusted his course.

The night stilled. A second later, the boat exploded with a ball of fire billowing out. Garrett sucked in air and dove several feet down to avoid being hit by raining debris. The ocean surface lit to a bright orange above him.

He swam under the fire until it no longer glowed. Shooting to the surface, he sucked in oxygen and glanced back at the burning embers. No shouts of pain or gunfire remained.

“This way, kid,” the guy whispered.

Garrett searched again for the shore but could only see darkness. He slipped the knife into his jeans and swam toward the voice. A small raft bobbed in the swelling waves, while his new friend hung on the edge.

A man leaned over the side. “It took you long enough, Zane.”

The guy nodded. “Kayrs? Get the hell on the boat.”

Garrett’s mind spun. “Zane? Janie’s Zane?”

“That’s me.” Zane grabbed the back of Garrett’s shirt and yanked up, while the guy in the raft tugged.

Garrett flopped over and scrambled to sit with his back to the other side. The guy helped Zane up, and the two instantly started rowing away from the remnants of the boat.

“What the fuck took you so long?” the other guy asked.

“Shut up, Sam.” Zane shook out his wet hair, keeping his rowing rhythm. “You try to maneuver in between a Kurjan and demon fighting to grab the trophy.”

Garrett growled. “I’m not a trophy.”

“You are tonight, sport.” Sam grinned, his green eyes glowing in the darkness.

Similar bone structure and the same color eyes. “You two brothers?”

“No,” Zane snapped. “I don’t have family.”

Now why did that sound like a lie? Garrett shrugged. “Whatever you say, man.”

Zane growled.

Sam tapped his ear. “There’s a lot of chatter about a firefight in Seattle tonight. I think the Realm boys took on Suri’s soldiers.”

Zane snorted. “That’s unfortunate. The prize was on a boat in the Pacific.”

Garrett sat up. “Who won?”

Sam shrugged. “Don’t know, but all hell broke loose. Even the human cops are headed to the scene.”

Garrett relaxed his shoulders. His people knew how to fight. If the humans were involved, his family was already long gone. “What about Suri?” Uncle Jase really wanted to kill Suri.

“He wasn’t in Seattle,” Sam said. “Your people attacked one of his main bases, though. He’ll be hurting.”

“My people?” Garrett eyed the two. He’d known Zane was part vampire, but nobody knew what else. Gut feeling? The guy was a shifter—one who didn’t align with the Realm. “Who exactly are you, anyway?”

“I’m the guy you owe,” Zane said.

Maybe. Maybe not. “How did you find me?”

Sam grinned. “Contacts, young man. It always comes down to who you know, now doesn’t it?”

Zane shook his head. “Shut up, Sam.”

Garrett tried another tack. “What do you want with my sister, anyway?”

Zane’s eyes flashed fire. “I want your sister to stay the fuck out of the war.”

“Have you met my sister?” Garrett snorted.

Zane sighed. “Yes. Well, kind of.”

“She’s not staying out of the war.” In fact, hadn’t Janie said the end would come down to her, Kalin, and Zane? Garrett jerked his head up. “Did you kill Kalin?”

“No. He and a demon were going at it, and I only had a second to save your ass. I’m sure he got free—he’s too smart to die on the boat.” Zane frowned, the moonlight casting dark shadows across his face. “But our time is coming.”

Lights glowed from a distant shore. Garrett stiffened.

Zane held out a hand. “No need to dart away. I’m not keeping you. This time.”

Yeah, like he’d trust some wacko Janie only met in dreamworlds. “Gee, I appreciate that.” Garrett yanked out the knife, twisting the blade to catch the light. “I’d hate to have to kill you after the kind rescue.”

Sam grinned at Zane. “I really like this kid.”

“You should meet his sister,” Zane muttered. Then he pointed to a lighthouse about a mile away. “Can you make that lighthouse?”

Garrett nodded. “Sure.”

“Okay. There’s a disposable cell phone duct-taped to the northern side. Get there, call your people, and stay out of sight until they pick you up.” Zane stopped rowing.

Garrett tucked the knife way. “Um. Well, thanks.”

“Not a problem.” Zane eyed the distance. “Get going now before the sun comes up and you’re easy to spot.”

Garrett fell back and over the edge, making a small splash. He grabbed the boat and hauled himself up to face Zane. “Saying I do owe you. What do you want?”

Zane pierced him with that odd green gaze. “I want you to keep your sister out of the war for as long as possible.”

Garrett shrugged. “That was my plan anyway.”

“Good.” Zane shoved him in the shoulder, and he splashed back into the ocean. “And don’t fuck up my great rescue here by getting caught. Speed to the phone and call for help.” Oars hit the water again, and the raft quickly moved out of sight.

Garrett bobbed in the sea for a moment, his gaze on the waning moon. With a shrug, he turned and put all his strength into swimming around the lighthouse. He took several passes until he was sure nobody waited for him.

Then he swam to shore and yanked out his knife.

Still nothing. So he walked around the lighthouse until he found the cell phone. Grabbing it, he dialed one of the public numbers, just in case, and asked to be transferred.

Several transfers later, a female voice answered.

His throat nearly closed, and he felt like a little kid again. “Mom? It’s Garrett.”

 

Jase’s ears still rang from Talen knocking him out. What the hell was it with his brothers beating on his head lately? Guilt made it hard to move. He’d pointed a gun at Talen, and might’ve shot him. What kind of trigger had the demons put into his brain?

Was he a danger to his family now? What if the trigger was activated again?

He sat in a cozy relaxation room in the main lodge. The window was wide open, letting the scents of sea and fish into the room.

Kane shook his head, staring at a printout. “I don’t know how we missed the trigger.”

“You missed it because I haven’t dealt with everything that happened.” Jase’s hands closed into fists on his bloody jeans. “The Latin words he spoke sounded familiar, but I don’t know what they mean.”

“It’s the sound that matters,” Kane said absently. “There’s only one thing to do. We have to hypnotize you.”

“I know.” Dread compressed Jase’s lungs. “Have we gotten anything from the demon we brought back?” Dage had captured one of the soldiers after the raid.

“Not yet, and frankly, you don’t need to worry about it.” Kane pierced him with a hard glare. “Talen said you didn’t shoot him when ordered.”

“No, but I wanted to. Or rather, my body wanted to.”

Kane nodded. “That’s good. The trigger isn’t set as deep or as well as they thought.” He turned and sat on the matching sofa. “Why don’t we get rid of that trigger for good?”

“Sounds like a plan.” Jase took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

A knock echoed on the door, and Dage poked his head in. “How’s it going?”

“Just started,” Kane said.

Jase rubbed both hands down his face. “Any news from the prisoner we took from Seattle?”

“Not yet.” Dage eyed Kane. “You going to hypnotize him and delete the trigger?”

“That’s the plan,” Kane said.

“See if you can make him be not such an ass.” Dage shut the door.

Jase grimaced. “He’s pissed.”

“No. He’s worried.” Kane reached over his head and dimmed the lights. “You’ve been out of control twice lately, and both times could’ve gotten you killed.”

Jase settled his shoulders. “Let’s get rid of that trigger so I can go hunt demons.”

“Damn it, Jase.” Kane blew out air. “Fine. Count down from ten.”

Dage poked his head in again. “Just got word—Garrett called. Seems he’s safe. We leave in five minutes, so suit up.”

Jase stiffened, his gaze flashing to Kane’s concerned one. “I guess we’ll do this later.”

 

Jase leaned out the door of the helicopter as the waves undulated below him. Even after being damaged, he was the best sniper around. Especially when shooting from a moving vehicle. Conn aimed out the other side, while Dage piloted the craft low and tight. Two other helicopters flew close, one holding the landing party, which included Talen and Kane.

Dawn was breaking just in time, and light glinted off the lighthouse. Peaceful rocks tumbled from the building to the shore. Nothing moved on the land.

Jase ignored his unease and kept watch through his scope.

The first helicopter landed, and Talen burst onto land to find his son, sweeping wide. Kane protected his back as they ran for the structure. Moments passed. Finally, both men emerged from the damaged door, and Kane sent the negative sign.

Damn it. Where was the kid?

Movement from the ocean a few yards back caught Jase’s eye. He narrowed his scope to focus. Slowly, Garrett’s dark head emerged from the deep. Then his eyes, and his smart-assed grin.

Jase jerked his head, and Conn looked. He tapped a communicator to relay the kid’s location.

Smart. Very smart. Garrett had done exactly what they’d trained him to do.

The kid swam to shore and had barely made it when his father yanked him up for a huge hug. The relief crossing Talen’s broad face made Jase’s shoulders relax. When had Garrett gotten so damn big? He stood as tall as his father.

Kane tugged him away for a hug.

Jase tapped his ear communicator. “Get on the helicopter, and get the hell out of there. We’ll hug at home.”

Dage snorted into the microphone. Conn flashed him a grin. Relief and triumph swirled in his green eyes.

Jase nodded. Yeah, they’d finally won one. He needed to get his arms around the little shit. Thank God Garrett was all right.