“She has a name,” interrupted Ben, his sandy eyebrows pulled together in an angry point. “Her name is Taylor.”
“Taylor then,” said Dominic through pursed lips, “is most likely being retained in one of the offices over here. I’d venture there’s only one or two guards watching her at the most. I’m assuming you two knuckleheads could handle two Revenants on your own, yes?”
Trace looked as though he were about to reach over and rip Dominic’s larynx out of his throat.
“Yeah, they got this,” I jumped in, trying to keep things moving along. “What’s next?” I asked, leaning over the blueprint.
“Once they locate Taylor,” he continued, exaggerating her name again, “Romeo will port the three of them out of there.”
“And us?” I asked hoarsely, my voice rasping from the sandpaper that had now become my throat.
His onyx eyes glowed with mischief. “Our only goal, love, is to take down Engel and to do so as swiftly as possible. Kill as many of his men as you need to in order to get to him, but make no mistake. The longer it takes to reach him, the harder he will be to take down.”
My hands were starting to shake now but I refused to let any of them see it. I buried them deep in my pocket and steeled my backbone. “Anything else?”
“Yes, angel,” simpered Dominic. “Don’t get killed.”
29. A TIME TO KILL
The rain came down slow like dripping blood—a prophetic embodiment of the bloodbath that awaited us. We parked several blocks from the factory in an unmarked car and waited impatiently for dusk to slip away from us. When the time finally came, the four of us stepped out of the car in silence and made our way towards the abandoned building.
“Last stop on the Hell train,” said Dominic as we approached our first mark—a parking lot across the street from the factory. “If anyone wants to get off, now is your chance.”
“We’re good, leech. Hurry up and do your thing.”
We’d already staked out the building an hour earlier, familiarizing ourselves with the grounds and layout. There were four entries into the building, though only the front and back ones were accessible, and consequently, being guarded. Across the street from the building, there was a deserted parking lot shrouded in overgrowth and shadows; a perfect place for shapeshifting.
“Alright, people, stand back,” said Ben lifting his arms dramatically. “I need some space here.”
“Amateur,” snorted Dominic as he cracked his neck and lowered himself onto his knee. He looked regal in that pose, like a dark knight awaiting his honor.
A pulsation quickly overtook his body, blurring his form into an indistinguishable dark shadow that no longer bore any resemblance to the enigmatic Revenant that haunted my dreams. His black wolf form quickly emerged from the inky haze and then stepped to me, shaking the water from his fur.
“Watch it, dog,” warned Trace.
Dominic growled back, low and threatening.
Ben went next, and while his shift wasn’t as fast as Dominic’s, it was still impossible to see what was truly happening in the dark haze that seemed to be vibrating. Before my mind could put the picture together, a mottled, dark gray wolf materialized with a quick howl to the moon.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to seeing that,” I said, hugging my arms for warmth.
“You will,” answered Trace, his tone somber and grim. “You'll get used to a lot of things.”
Ben’s wolf form stalked past me, grazing my leg as he moved to Dominic. The two of them began circling each other like some kind of primal dance I wasn’t privy to.
Trace slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me into the warm space between his arms. “Remember what you promised me,” he whispered softly in my ear. “Don’t make me regret this.” He brought his mouth to mine and kissed me hard, instantaneously melting the chill that had begun anesthetizing my bones.
With that, he pulled away and started down the street, his raven hair and dark clothes blending into the night as Ben followed closely behind him.
I turned to the ebony wolf beside me. “Ready to slay some vampires?”
Lead the way, Slayer.
I released my wooden stake from the sheath around my ankle and secured the silver dagger in my other hand. Pulling in a lungful of air, I abandoned my fear where I stood and started down the street parallel to the one Trace and Ben had disappeared into.
There was no going back now, so I didn’t even look.
We rounded the side of the building and eased our way towards the front entrance where a dark-haired Rev was loitering under a dilapidated shelter, pulling in a drag from his cigarette and staring off into the barren street. A plume of nicotine from his lungs floated into the rain like a smoke signal to the heavens.
I got this one, love, said Dominic to my mind, but I was already creeping towards Smokey-the-vampire.
The minute his back was to me, I pounced on him from the shadows, ramming my foot into the center of his back. His cigarette flew from his fingers as he hit the wet concrete. Before he could shake the stars from his eyes, I spun him onto his back and jammed my stake into his heart.
The smooth, chalky color and texture quickly left his now desiccated face as he lay motionless on the ground.
Is it odd that I’m slightly aroused right now?
“You would be,” I hissed back at him as I dusted Smokey in Cinderdust. A flash of colorful flames ignited over the corpse like a dazzling Aurora Borealis spectacle, before devouring the body completely and leaving nothing in its place but the sound of my wooden stick clinking against the concrete.
I’m impressed, angel. You’re a natural.
I picked up my weapon from the ground and moved to the now unmanned entrance. A rusty door sitting half off its hinges was the only thing standing between me and Engel. He was somewhere inside this building, and so was my best friend. And I was going to make him regret the day he ever set eyes on her.
Peering through a small slit in the door, I made sure that the coast was clear before sliding through with Dominic hot on my heels. I waited as he sniffed the air for their scent.
They’re in the old warehouse. This way, he said and started heading east through the building.
Black mold and whittled paint covered every inch of the walls, broken up only by the bad graffiti and boarded up windows that hung on the walls like an omen. Water dripped down from the exposed ceilings, slicking my hair and arms as my feet sloshed through the murky slush that blanketed the floor like a sodden carpet. The smell of mildew and stale cigarette smoke turned my stomach as it seeped into the inside of my nose.
They’re up ahead, informed Dominic, apparently hearing them, though it took another twenty or so steps before I could hear the faint voices for myself.
As we drew closer, the muffled sounds got louder, as did the pounding of my heart. My mind began assaulting me, plaguing me with doubt and accusations of inadequacy but I refused to let myself listen in. Instead, I tuned it out like a shitty song on the radio and kept putting one foot in front of the other.
I’ll take down as many as I can, love, said Dominic. Don't look back. Find Engel and kill him.
“You smell that?” asked a gruff voice up ahead. “It smells like a wet dog.”
“That’s not a wet dog,” answered another voice, clearly on edge. “That’s a wolf.”
Chairs scuffled around in panic as Dominic rounded the corner. Seven sets of wide eyes stared back at us with a mixture of surprise and confusion on their faces. We didn’t give them a chance to work out the equation. The minute we entered the room, Dominic thrashed through the air with barred teeth, landing on a blond-haired Rev who barely had time to put his hands up before Dominic slammed him to the ground.
My eyes fell on Engel. He was still seated at the furthest end of the room, watching calmly—waiting. My stomach tightened into a knot as I started running straight for him.
A short, stalky dark-haired Rev jumped out in front of me, blocking
my path and bringing my onslaught to a halt. The jagged scar through his top lip twisted awkwardly as he smiled up at me.
I smiled back.
Running on pure adrenaline and basic instincts, I cut through the air with my dagger, slicing his cheek and then using it to gorge out his eyeball. He keeled over, covering his bleeding face just as another Rev jumped into his place.
This one was bigger, at least a foot taller than me, and with a neck almost as thick as his head. His wispy brown hair fell in chunks around his chin, highlighting his offset jaw. With fangs already retracted, he stepped to me quickly, forcing me to take a step back.
“What’s the matter, dollface? You scared to play with the big boys?”
Adrenaline shot through my body as I pushed on the balls of my feet and pounced on him. My arm cut through the air, landing a hard punch to his throat and then kneeing him in the face when he leaned down to cover up. Raising my dagger, I swiped at him with the blade, only nicking his left cheek as he quickly jumped back. With a taste for his blood, I pulled back and tried again, though this time he was ready for it. He caught my hand and twisted it back until I dropped the dagger.
Gritting my teeth, I plowed my knee into his crotch and then spun out of his hold. The shrilling cry that escaped his mouth only made the fire inside me burn hotter. I dropped down and twisted my extended leg, kicking his feet from under him just as I’d practiced hundreds of times with Gabriel. He lost his balance and slammed down against the concrete floor just in time to get hit with a fist full of Cinderdust.
I was surprised that the Cinderdust worked without a stake to his heart, but I didn't have time to sit around and ask questions. I picked up my dagger and jumped over his body, not even bothering to stick around for the light show.
I zeroed in on Engel as a man screamed out in agony behind me, but I didn’t dare take my eyes off my target, who was now retreating from me.
I followed him cautiously, inspecting his stance, his eyes, gauging his next move.
“I must say, I'm quite impressed,” he said calmly as though his entire crew wasn’t being maimed and mauled in the shadows behind us. “You truly are a splendid Being.”
I didn’t respond as I continued stalking his retreat.
“Come to collect your comrade, I imagine?”
“Among other things.”
“Ah, I see. You’re out for blood then.” The smirk on his face elongated. “As am I.”
“Well, the blood bank is currently closed,” I informed.
“Yes, indeed, and I intend to make that permanent.”
My eyes narrowed at his threat. “It's too bad I don't have some kind of Amulet to protect myself,” I said innocently, still shadowing his every move. I pulled the necklace out from under my shirt. “Oh, wait. That's right. I do.”
I twisted the wooden stake in my hand, adjusting my hold on it as I readied myself for the attack. Engel’s eyes snapped to my weapon.
“That’s quite unnecessary,” he said, shaking his head at me. “The Amulet is yours.”
Reaching the end of the room, he halted with no more space to retreat and no place left to hide as I closed in on him.
“I didn't take you for the quitting type, Engel. I have to say, I’m kind of disappointed.”
Obviously, he knew he had no chance.
I tightened my grip on the stake and took another step.
“You need it more than I do.” Something dark and sinister washed over his pallid face as he glanced down at my hand again. “However, I suspect nothing, not even your precious Amulet, will be able to save you from the evil that's coming. Such, I suppose, is your fate when you're the Princess of Darkness.”
I stopped short. “What the hell are you—”
Engel's hand shot out through the air like a knife, seizing me by my neck and spinning me into him before I even had a chance to finish the question. My back hit his chest hard, knocking the wind out of me as I scrambled clumsily to regain my footing.
But it was too late.
He had mm exactly where he wanted me and all I could do was yelp out in pain as his teeth tore into my flesh.
Hot liquid poured down my neck and onto my shirt, staining it with bold crimson streaks. I tried to swing my stake at him, but he caught my hand easily and forced it back down to my side before prying it loose from my fingers.
My feet swung in the air wildly, aimlessly, my fingernails digging and scratching at his arm as I tried to loosen his hold from around my neck. A futile last ditch effort for the venom had already begun settling in, simmering down my body and all of my efforts to escape.
Dominic’s keen wolf eyes snapped in my direction. He swiped his claws across his opponent’s face and then hurtled over the mess of bodies and broken chairs. Racing towards me, he kicked off from his back legs and dove through the air like a black raven, crashing into the two of us and knocking us both down to the ground. Dominic’s teeth clamped down onto Engel’s arm, pulling, tugging, tearing at his flesh as he tried to rip the meat clear off the bone. The unrelenting brutality of his attack forced Engel to release his hold on me in an effort to save his own arm.
Run, said Dominic. He has your blood in him!
I rolled off of him and tried to stand up, but my legs wouldn’t work. It was as though I’d gained a hundred pounds over the last few minutes and no longer had the strength to hold up my own body weight. I grabbed at the floor, trying to gain enough traction to drag myself away, but it was too slick with slush and blood.
Come on, angel, get up!
“I can’t,” I cried, hopelessness closing in on me.
I tried to will my legs to work, to pray for some kind of miracle, but there wasn't enough blood in my body to support any of my efforts. My thoughts immediately snapped to Trace and the promise I made to him. Dammit! I couldn't let this happen. I couldn't go out like this.
I dug down deep—deeper than I ever had before and summoned all the strength and fight I had left in me.
Sadly, there was only enough to get me up on my hands and knees and start crawling away. I was getting nowhere fast, but at least I was moving now. Engel may have been down, but with my blood in his veins, it was only a matter of time before he would be back on his feet, ready to finish the job.
Dominic circled around me frantically, darting from side to side to inspect me, to calculate the damage. Stopping beside me, he lowered himself to the ground and nudged my arm.
Get on, he ordered.
I reached up and grabbed a hold of his neck. Using his fur for leverage, I pulled myself up and threw my leg over his back. Straddling him, I wrapped my arms around his neck and threw a quick glance back at Engel. He was on the floor and bloodied, but very much alive.
Whatever blood was left in me drained from my head and I collapsed in exhaustion as Dominic raced us out of the warehouse and into the dawn of a new day.
A very, very bad new day.
30. INDECENT PROPOSAL
I awoke alone in an unfamiliar bedroom to hostile voices somewhere outside the door. Though muffled, I could tell the discussion was heated and the participants agitated. Where the hell am I? I wondered as I tried to unscramble the thoughts inside my pounding head. Rubbing my temples, I dropped my feet over the edge of the bed and inspected myself. My skin was covered in filthy, black grime and what looked like old, crusted blood.
I glanced around the room, trying to acclimate myself to where I was. My eyes bounced from the bonded-leather headboard to the onyx furniture that blended into the charcoal walls. There was a gray accent rug at the center of the room that matched the thick, black-out curtains. It was a man’s room, no doubt. Probably Dominic’s.
“What the hell am I doing in—” My hand came up to my mouth. “Oh, God. Oh, God. No, no, no!”
The events of last night bombarded my memory, flooding me with images that stifled the air in my lungs. I failed. I failed miserably. Engel was still alive, and it was all my fault.
My mind snapped to Taylor. Wh
ere was she? Was she still alive? Had Trace and Ben been successful in bringing her home? I had a million questions and a whopping zero answers.
I slid off the bed and stumbled to the door in a daze. Desperate for answers, I yanked open the door and staggered out into the hallway, bracing myself against the walls as I moved through the darkened corridor. The voices got louder as I approached the landing at the top of the staircase, prompting me to quicken my steps. My head was still spinning, though I wasn’t sure if it was from the blood loss or the full-blown panic attack I seemed to be having. I reached out for the banister and peered over the edge. My eyes immediately fell on Trace and Dominic.
“Jemma.” Trace looked up as though sensing I was there. His eyes filled with concern as he rushed up the stairs, taking two at a time. “You need to rest. You neck was ripped wide op—”
“No,” I cut in, my hand reflexively rushing up to the bandage around my neck. “Where’s Taylor? Please tell me you got her out of there, Trace. Tell me she’s okay!”
“She’s in the study with Ben.” His gaze briefly flickered away from mine. “I think you should wait before going in there.”
“Why?” My anxiety was notching up to mountainous proportions. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could withstand the torment. “What happened? What’s wrong with her?”
“Nothing. I mean, she’s okay,” he tried to assure me, though it didn’t sound even remotely convincing. “She’s just a little out of it. Look, I think you both need to rest before you—”
I pushed past him and made a mad dash down the stairs.
“Angel, I think you should heed his advice,” cautioned Dominic, his voice rising on the tail-end of his warning, but I had already passed him and was halfway to the den by the time he finished the sentence.
Stopping at the entrance, I peered my head into the study as my heart thumped madly in my chest. My eyes quickly found Ben. He was sitting quietly in the lounge chair, elbows pressed to his knees in quiet contemplation, watching—guarding. My eyes followed his devoted gaze to the sofa...to Taylor.
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