by Sharon Kay
“I don’t!” How should she spin this? Causing Soren to appear stupid in front of these fearsome creatures may not be the smartest idea. “I-I only know that Antonio is my father. I don’t know about my mother. I-I’m adopted.”
“Antonio is her father?” one of the demons holding her spoke incredulously. “He has a child? He’s been hiding her? Isrami will be angry.”
“What about you?” the first demon glowered at Soren. “You are his brother. Why did you not bring her to us?”
“I just found out about her. We’ve been tracking her through our current city, and all of a sudden today, Antonio drops this bomb. That she’s his brat. I had no idea before an hour ago.” Soren held up his hands.
“Hmm.” The first demon grunted. “We will let Isrami decide what to do with you both. Come.” He turned and walked farther up the mountain.
The demons holding Enza pulled her forward. She willed herself to stay calm enough to find a way out of this. The memory of her mom’s frightened face as Antonio clutched her in the alley made Enza sick. She had to get back home to her mom, and to Rhys—
Crack! A peal of thunder split the sky, followed by a brilliant flash of lighting.
Enza tilted her head up to the roiling clouds, attempting to see through the endless deluge of rain. Unable to shield her eyes, thanks to the demons gripping her hands, she tried her best.
Inside the cloud, she saw them. Thousands of particles moving furiously, crashing—
A rough jerk on her arm brought her to a stop and a hood was yanked over her head. “No you don’t, female,” one of her captors grunted.
Enza coughed. The thing stank, and in seconds it was soaked and stuck to her face. And now, walking on this uneven ground was even more difficult. She caught a glimpse of dirt now and then, through a gap where the hood ended, but that was it. Panic started to take hold, but a new thought pushed it away.
Survive. It was a command, a whisper, a prayer, a plea. She didn’t know where it came from, but it gave her strength. Survive.
She stumbled and slipped the rest of the way up the slope to wherever they were going. No one spoke. The only sound was the rain and thunder. Occasionally lightning flashed, bright enough for her to see through the hood.
Her legs were starting to ache from the uphill climb when, finally, they reached level ground. Male voices shouted in that unfamiliar language and she was pushed forward. She registered a halt to the rain hitting her skin as well as warmer air. The low murmur of many rough male voices surrounded her, sending chills down her arms. Suddenly they ceased.
A throat cleared near her and Soren spoke. “Isrami, I bring you another creature with special talent. Behold, a Deserati with lightning power.”
The hood was yanked off her head. Enza gasped as she took in a cavernous room filled with dozens of red-skinned demons, all staring at her.
CHAPTER 36
RHYS LANDED HARD ON UNFORGIVING ground in a torrential downpour. It didn’t rain often in the Bloodspires, where Splinter lived, but when it did it was flood-worthy. The rest of his group came through the portals, righting themselves and leaping up.
Tor and Brenin grabbed hold of Antonio. “Don’t even think about running,” Tor snarled.
“I want to find her! We’re on the same side here.” Antonio’s expression was a mix of anger and concern.
Rhys’s fury flashed with the memory of Enza at knifepoint. “We are not on the same side. Not until you make serious amends, and only if Enza decides your life is worth anything.” He gritted his teeth against the urge to break Antonio’s jaw just like he’d broken Soren’s. No. He had to save Enza. Then, only then, could he dole out punishment. “Where do we go?”
Antonio scanned the area, squinting through the rain. “We’re east of their camp, and about a mile down-mountain. If we go up first, we may be able to find an alternate way in. It’s been a while since I came this way, but I think I remember it.”
“You think. Great.” Rhys turned to Jude, who was on his phone. Thankfully, Torth phones ran off the energy from ley lines underground. No worries about water shorting out batteries and components like on earth.
Jude caught his eye, gave a thumbs up. “Aleksai’s team landed. Wolfe has us all on camera back at HQ.”
Rhys’s heart stuttered. Thank gods for the drones Wolfe had circling overhead, disguised as birds. “Does Wolfe see Enza?”
He turned back to his phone. “Do you see Enza?” A frown darkened his face. “Hang on.” He focused on Rhys and Antonio. “Says the minute he flipped the feed on, there was some activity by an east entrance. A group went in, but he couldn’t see who. Couldn’t even tell if one was female.”
“East entrance?” Rhys snapped his gaze to Antonio. “That sound familiar?”
“Yes, that’s the one we’re closest to.”
Jude spoke to Wolfe again, relaying the information. “Got it.” He ended the call. “They’re one minute away.”
Rhys blew out a breath. There was no shelter, just a few lonely spindly trees and the harsh sloping ground. Waiting had always been easier when it was someone else’s woman they were charging after.
But Enza was his. The possessive thought settled deep. His life felt different, wildly out of control, but centered around her. He had to find her. Had to keep her safe. Survive. He willed the words out onto the ether. Enza, I’m coming for you. Stay alive.
A twig snapped. Rhys whirled to see Aleksai leading his four men through a group of trees. A member of Arawn’s inner circle, Aleksai led a small team that took on very specific, precise jobs. With a tight smile, the blond warrior nodded at Rhys and the two grasped arms. “It’s been too long. Sucks to meet up like this, but we’ll get your girl.”
Rhys thumped his friend on the back and nodded in grim acknowledgement. “This male has been working with Splinter, turning over creatures with unusual abilities,” he growled the words and jerked his thumb toward Antonio. “They trust him, so he’s a good way to get close.”
Aleksai’s blue eyes turned icy. “That’s useful for now. Can’t say for later.”
“I’m going with him, posing as his latest capture,” Rhys said.
“If Soren’s in there, he’ll immediately know it’s a trick,” Antonio warned.
“Who’s Soren?” Aleksai asked.
“My partner. And brother.”
“Brother?” Rhys’s fist clenched. “Some fucked up family you got. I’m damn glad Enza grew up on Earth with her mother.”
“Okay.” Brenin stepped close. “Let’s think about this. Soren will know it’s a trick—but say any of us walk in with Antonio. Soren will still guess something’s up, even if it’s one of us he hasn’t seen before. He’s not stupid.”
“All we need is to get close.” Rage hammered in Rhys’s heart, accompanied by a sudden sharp sting of fear. Enza. It had to be. “We have to hurry.”
“We need time to access another entrance,” Aleksai said. “It’s not far. Wolfe can guide us, plus we’ve been here before. Rhys, you go with the Deserati. It will raise less suspicion if he shows up with one Lash rather than four. The rest of you come with us. Here.” He pulled an earpiece from a pocket on his tactical pants and handed it to Rhys. “Stay in touch. When we’re both close, we let these loose. Tanner?”
One of Aleksai’s team, a dark-haired male with a bright blond streak in his hair, stepped forward and opened a bag he had slung over his shoulder. It was full of small, innocuous looking metal balls, each with a seam around the diameter. He handed one to Rhys. “Spell charges. Five second delay after you twist it.”
Rhys nodded and took it, then slipped the comm device into his ear. The other men on Aleksai’s team handed weapons, amulets, and charges to Rhys’s group.
Antonio watched with a somber expression on his face. “I am truly sorry.”
“Shut it,” Rhys snarled. “She’s your damn daughter. You wanna make it right, you show us.”
A steely resolve flared in the Deserati’s eyes. �
��I will.”
Aleksai set his hands on his hips. “At the end of a job, I ensure my team is out before I go back to HQ. You four don’t have an official team lead, so today that’s me. I assume you’ll go back to Chicago?”
“Yes.” Rhys rolled the silver sphere in his palm, then slipped it into a pocket.
Aleksai nodded. “Then we’ll go in, get Rhys’s female, kick some Splinter ass, and get the hell out.” He motioned for Brenin, Jude, and Tor to fall in with his team, and glanced at Rhys. “See you at the top.”
Rhys nodded. The group disappeared into the curtain of rain, leaving him with Antonio. He shook his head in disgust. How the male had an offspring like Enza, he had no clue. Because Antonio was a piece of shit. Rhys made a mental note to thank Concetta for being a great mom, and to take care of her as if she were his own family.
Because she will be soon.
Again the certain, warm feeling of belonging wrapped around him, waving a flag of long-term thoughts where anything about Enza was concerned.
He cleared his throat. “Let’s go.”
Antonio paused. “They’ll search you for weapons.” He nodded at the pocket where Rhys had shoved the metal ball.
Rhys glared at him, though he knew what he had to do.
“They won’t search me, and you have my word, I’ll give it back to you when you need it.” Antonio radiated sincerity, but it would take years before Rhys would willingly trust him. Still, right now, he had to take that chance. Grudgingly, he gave the explosive device to Antonio.
He and Antonio started up the dirt slope. Rocks littered the way, most the size of baseballs but some as large as boulders. In only half a mile, Rhys froze. So did Antonio, as the scrape of a wood arrow being readied echoed in his ear. The warning shot sailed over their heads and a raspy voice yelled, “Stop!”
Three Splinter guards emerged from behind a pile of rocks and boulders, swords drawn. Their yellow eyes widened in surprise as they settled on Antonio.
“You,” one guard said. “Your brother was just here. He’s already with Isrami. Why did you come separately?”
Antonio shrugged. “I stayed behind because I had the chance to capture this male.” He nodded at Rhys.
The guard eyed him, and the other two came close and patted him down. The blades he had at his arm and in one boot were taken. Didn’t matter, he still had his demonfire and, even though it was raining, it could still cause a fatal blow.
“What can he do?” the first guard asked.
“I’d prefer to wait and tell Isrami in person, let him be the first to know,” Antonio said.
The guards exchanged a glance and one raised a brow, but the first one grunted, “Fine.” He turned and led the way up, with the two guards walking at Rhys’s side.
Gods, he had said that Soren was already inside. Splinter was a rough and wild bunch. He had to get Enza away from them. Rhys hadn’t heard Isrami’s name before, but he had to be the current leader. Splinter was constantly getting new chiefs. No one stayed in the position for very long.
The climb was quick, as all of them were predators and strong. In minutes, they arrived at a section of rock that stretched straight up and turned inward, creating a path into the mountain. Guards lined the narrow entrance and torchlight flickered from within. Rhys inhaled, trying to get Enza’s scent. But the rain had washed it away, just like in the city.
The red faces of the guards registered recognition when they saw Antonio, though they all did a double take when they saw Rhys. “We took his weapons,” the guard escorting him said.
“I don’t trust him,” another muttered.
You shouldn’t, Rhys thought, as he let himself be shoved toward the cave entrance. It was a continuation of the sheer rock face, only this part of it was sheltered with an overhang. The low murmur of male voices reached his ears as they neared the opening. Damn, Aleksai better be in position. Because if Enza so much as looked scared, Rhys wouldn’t be able to stand around for one sec—
“At the west entrance. Ready to go. Rhys, are you in?” Aleksai’s voice came over the comm.
The entrance was two feet away. He had to talk out loud. Had to say something that wouldn’t tip off the damn Ghaszuls. “It fucking stinks in here,” he muttered.
His guards glared at him, and one shoved him harder, but the ruse held.
“Release the charges on my cue,” Aleksai said.
Inside, Enza’s scent immediately surrounded him, ratcheting up his need to protect her. A fire blazed in the center, with several Ghaszuls sitting around it, staring at…shit, where was she? He scanned the dim space, needing to lay eyes on her. His scrutinized the mass of stinky, grubby Ghaszuls…there.
In the center of the room, between two Ghaszuls, she stood with her arms wrapped around her waist. Her wet hair dripped rivulets onto the ground and her soaked clothes clung to her. She trembled, though the cave was warm from the fire and all the occupants.
A large Ghaszul stood before her. The leader? Rhys clenched a fist. She didn’t appear to be hurt. Between her and the large demon, a shirtless Soren gestured animatedly and talked.
He broke off as soon as Antonio and Rhys entered the cave. Enza followed his furious stare, and the gaze she gave Rhys was a powerful tug on his heart. Relief and trust shone from those dark depths, bathing him in her acceptance. She locked on to him like he was a hero, and dammit, right now, he’d do anything to make that a reality.
Rhys was sunk. She had to be his other half. Now and forever. He’d wait as long as it took her to get used to the idea.
For now, he had to get her the fuck out of there.
Soren bellowed in rage. “You!” he shouted, eyes locked on Antonio. “Traitor! See who he’s brought into your sacred home! Kill them!”
All hell broke loose as a flash lit the far back portion of the cave. Aleksai.
Splinter members jumped up, grabbing weapons and shouting as the Watchers poured in.
“Now!” Rhys held out his hand, and Antonio handed over the charge. The guards next to him lunged, but he dropped to a crouch and rolled. As he leaped up a few feet away, he twisted his spell charge and tossed it, then barreled full speed to Enza.
Ghaszuls ran everywhere. Swords gleamed in the torchlight and firelight. Shouts echoed off the rock walls and demonfire added to the brightness as Watchers hurled it at the Ghaszuls.
One Splinter guard tried to block Rhys. Calling up fire as he ran, Rhys flung it at the male’s chest and he went down with a grunt. Another appeared, sword swinging. Rhys ducked and rolled again, out of the way of the blade. He released another fire ball, and its upward trajectory impacted the male’s gut. Two down.
On his feet again, Rhys spotted Enza held by one Splinter guard. Fifteen feet away. Rhys’s feet thudded on the packed-dirt floor. The male brandished a dagger, but wariness flickered in his yellow eyes as Rhys ran full speed toward him.
Boom! A larger charge exploded, shaking the entire cave. Tiny streams of dust rained down from the roof. Several torches went out.
Rhys reached the male and twisted to one side, taking control of his knife hand and bending his fingers backward. Bones popped as Rhys broke three gnarled digits. The blade fell to the ground. The creature howled but tried to lock Rhys in a chokehold with his free arm.
Enza was so close, a fresh wave of her scent wrapped around him. He heard the tiny sharp gasps, felt her fear…for him. She was worried for him. Gods. He elbowed the demon sharply in the belly as realization crystallized. As if it hadn’t been clear before, it was now. He could sense her emotions—because she was his mate.
With a surge of strength, Rhys flipped the Ghaszul to the ground. The floor jolted with the impact of his body and the demon shook his head, momentarily dazed. Rhys summoned a fire ball and threw it, ending the Ghaszul’s sorry life.
He picked up the knife, whirled, and grabbed Enza. She melted against him, arms locked so tightly around his neck that if he were human, he’d have trouble breathing. “I’ve got you.
” He stroked her hair.
“You came,” she whispered, releasing a shaky breath. “How did you find me?”
“I’ll tell you the details later.” Rhys held her close as another explosion rocked the cave. “Shit.” This charge was bigger than the last, and a tremendous rumble started above them. “We need to get out.” He pulled her toward the entrance.
Dirt rained down, more than tiny streams this time. Small rocks fell too. They were almost at the opening when a huge cracking groan erupted.
Rhys pushed Enza down and crouched over her, shielding his own head as debris cascaded all around them. Through the sounds of the earth cracking apart, the fighting continued. Small rocks bounced off his back until, minutes later, the dirt and dust stopped.
He cleared his throat as a clear, strong wind swirled around him. Raising his head, he froze. Holy shit. “Enza, get up.” He tugged her to her feet and she gasped as she followed his gaze.
The main entrance was gone, and now the entire face of the mountain was wide open to the sky. Rain poured in, extinguishing the remaining torches and the central fire.
“Oh my god.” She reached for him, eyes fearful yet completely trusting.
Rhys took her hand and they ran to the gaping maw that used to be the entrance. Dozens of Splinter bodies lay on the ground. No Watchers. Rhys glanced back. No one pursued them, and he spotted Brenin’s sword flashing in a spinning, wild whirlwind, eliminating three Ghaszul demons at once.
They reached the open area outside the cave. Four guards swarmed them. Rhys immediately summoned a fire ball in each hand. “Stay close to the wall,” he shouted to Enza.
She pressed against what was left of the outer craggy surface as Rhys threw his fire at the closest two demons. They ducked, and advanced.
Shit. Watchers trained for this, for being outnumbered. But with his mate right there, things grew exponentially more complicated. Rhys dove for the nearest Ghazsul, stabbing it in the chest and dragging the blade down through his vital organs. Technically, the creature could heal, but it would take him a long time.
