Marked

by Rebecca Zanetti

  “No.” She’d dropped it when the first bomb had hit. “You?” she gasped, trying to see through the dim lights.

  “No. Keep running.”

  The steps took a sharp turn at the bottom, and she barely made it without smacking into the wall. Her center of gravity was off with the big baby bouncing inside her. Finally, the tunnel widened, and they reached a small alcove and another door with a keypad.

  Zane turned. “I don’t know this code.”

  Janie swallowed and typed in the correct code. The heavy metal door unlocked, and she struggled to open it. Zane added his weight, and the door slid open.

  They hurried into another hallway, this one leading even farther down into the earth.

  Zane paused and looked behind them. “I don’t hear anybody. Do you?”

  A boulder crashed down, shattering into pieces. One cut into Janie’s neck. “No,” she said, shoving the door closed. “There are several tunnels into headquarters. Let’s go.”

  Zane grabbed her hand and pushed her behind him. “These are steeper. Stay behind me, so if you trip, you’ll hit me and not fall.”

  She loped into a run behind him, fully trusting he’d catch her if necessary. Even weakened, even dying, Zane Kyllwood wouldn’t let anything happen to her or their baby.

  The air chilled as they descended.

  A wisp echoed around them. “Missiles,” Zane muttered.

  Relief propelled Janie faster. “That’s good. Somebody’s in the main control room firing back. That’s really good.”

  An impact rocked the earth, and the lights wavered.

  “That’s not good.” Zane glanced over his shoulder. “You okay?”

  “Yes. Two more doors, and we’ll be in the inner headquarters. It’s safer there.” She tried to nod while keeping a hand on the cut in her neck.

  His eyes widened. “How bad?”

  “Just a scratch. Go.”

  He turned and continued running, reaching yet another fire door. “Code?”

  She punched it in and followed Zane into the eastern part of the underground headquarters. A gun cocked.

  They both stilled, and Zane backed her against the stone wall, covering her.

  She peered around him at several demon soldiers, all in combat gear. A gaping hole in the wall showed the Pacific lapping peacefully against the rocks.

  The soldier in front pointed his gun at Zane’s chest and fired three times.

  Zane flew back against Janie, and her head knocked on the stone. “No,” she cried out, reaching for him.

  He slid to the ground, silent.

  The demon smiled, flashing sharp fangs. “Suri will be pleased.”

  Janie tried to bend and administer CPR, but a demon hauled her away from her mate. She fought with everything she had, but the soldier easily pulled her toward the opening.

  She frantically glanced around for an escape, just as several more demons jogged up with Kalin between them. They’d bound his hands behind his back, and a myriad of bruises marred his pale face. He’d lost weight during his captivity, but his eyes remained clear and his body ready for battle.

  Apparently the Kurjan had put up quite a fight.

  He reached them, his gaze dropping to her stomach. Then he focused on the motionless Zane, and the oddest look of regret flashed through his eyes.

  Kalin’s broad shoulders straightened, and he focused on her. “Stop fighting them. You’ll hurt your child.”

  Tears streamed down her face, and she tried again to free herself from the soldier. He shoved her through the opening, and she stumbled on the rocks, barely keeping on her feet.

  She flipped around and shot a hard punch to the demon’s trachea before finishing up with a kick to the groin.

  He reared back and punched her in the face. Pain exploded along her jawline, sparks flew behind her eyes, and she dropped into blackness.

  Janie awoke, her head cushioned somewhat on a hard thigh. She blinked. An ache pounded in her jaw.

  Reality slammed home with a rush.

  She sat up, her head spinning.

  “Take a deep breath,” Kalin said.

  She blinked and turned. The Kurjan sat on a stone floor, his hands behind his back. Oh. She’d been resting on his leg.

  Brushing her hair from her face, she looked around the underground cavern where the peace talks had been held. Without all the occupants, the room seemed hollow and somehow dangerous. Unnatural. Right now, only she and Kalin occupied it.

  “How did we get here?” she mumbled, not quite understanding.

  “Helicopter and then lift. The demons blew the Realm headquarters to hell,” Kalin said without any inflection.

  Panic jolted Janie wide awake. “Who survived?”

  “I don’t know. Depends entirely on how well enforced the underground headquarters were.”

  Zane. God, Zane. Janie rubbed her eyes. He’d been shot in the chest, and he’d been in a weakened condition. “And Zane?” she asked, her voice wavering.

  Kalin swallowed. “I don’t know, but he didn’t look good. He never moved.”

  Zane couldn’t be dead. He just couldn’t. Janie bit back a sob and tried to focus on getting out of there. The walls seemed to waver around them. “What’s going on?” she asked.

  Kalin sighed. “The quantum physics are failing, and the center fire went out.”

  They’d all be incinerated. Panic threatened to choke her.

  Janie rubbed her belly, which didn’t move. Was the baby all right? She tried to focus in on his essence, but fear inhibited her. She slowly stood. Four of the five exits had been barricaded with heavy rocks, and only one remained. Over to the right, the Prophesies of Arias spun eerily, bright flames dancing on the heavy leather cover.

  The sheer sight of it sent chills coursing down her back.

  “Yes. I suppose that is why we’re here,” Kalin said, shoving to his feet.

  Janie turned and frowned. “I’m probably here for the book. Why are you here?”

  Kalin shrugged. “I don’t know, unless Suri has a plan.”

  Janie focused. “What’s your plan, Kalin?”

  He pursed his lips. “Immediate plan or long term?”

  “Both.”

  “For the moment, I plan to listen to Suri. If he wanted me dead, I’d be dead, so he must have an offer. I’ll negotiate, maybe kill him, and then you and I will go to a secondary Kurjan headquarters.” He spoke calmly, as if already seeing the future.

  Janie swallowed. “That’s quite an offer, but I think I’ll head home.” She turned to study the barricades, seeing rocks all the way back. It appeared as if the demons had filled the entire passageways, except for the one lift. “Looks like there’s only one way out.”

  “Your home was destroyed,” Kalin said, wandering over to the now demolished entrance he’d used during the peace talks. “Time to let fate have her way.”

  Janie shook her head, anger fighting with focus inside her head. “Fate can kiss my ass.”

  Kalin chuckled, and kicked a smaller boulder out of his way. “That’ll be my job.”

  Janie swallowed and turned to face him. “It’s not going to happen.”

  “Sure it is. From day one, you were meant to be mine.” Kalin wedged his hip against a rock and shoved. “I don’t suppose you can unbind me?”

  Janie glanced at the silver handcuffs. “Not without a key.”

  “I figured.” He grunted and pushed the rock a foot. “After we get out of here, I’m killing my cousin and his pregnant mate, and then you and I will rule the Kurjan nation.”

  Wow. He was really not listening. “I said no.”

  “Your wishes are irrelevant.”

  That was it. “Listen, Kalin. I know we’ve been in each other’s lives for years, but you’re a serial killer. You like to kill women.”

  He shrugged. “The killing isn’t important. It’s the hunt that matters.”

  The cold, nearly bored tone of voice sent chills down Janie’s back. “So someday

you’ll hunt me.”

  He turned, his eyebrow lifting. “Not you. Never you.”

  “Why not?” She forced a chuckle. “Don’t tell me you love me.”

  “Love?” He rubbed his smooth chin. “Love is an emotion I haven’t experienced. But I do like fate, and I like that you’re special. I’ll keep you safe.”

  Was he crazy or just lacking in empathy? “You feel nothing?”

  He studied her. “I don’t really know. It’s always been you, Janet.”

  Janie shook her head. She’d never understand Kalin, but someday, like it or not, he would want to hunt her. He wouldn’t be able to stop himself. She had to get back to Zane.

  The rocks rattled, and a lift hurtled down. Suri stepped off, tall, powerful, and mean.

  “You’re finally awake,” he said. “Now get the book.”

  Janie looked from the demon leader to the book and back again. The second she released the book, he’d kill her. “No.”

  Suri smiled, the sight truly evil. “You’ll get that book, or I’ll cut that baby out of you. Decide.”

  Janie convulsed as if she’d been hit. Terror clawed through her.

  Kalin growled low and angled himself in front of her. “Why the hell am I here?”

  Suri clasped his hands behind his back. “I thought to trade you to your people for a nice sum. But apparently your cousin has taken control and doesn’t wish for your return. Pity.”

  Kalin lifted his regal chin. “So?”

  Suri clicked his tongue. “So, I have a plan. Like you, I’m against any uprising or disloyalty to a true leader. Your cousin lacks vision, and you don’t.”

  Kalin stilled. “Meaning?”

  Suri shrugged a wide shoulder. “The vampires are done, and the witches and shifters are regrouping. Let’s form an alliance, a permanent one, and take out your competition.”

  Kalin’s eyes darkened to a deep purple. “I’m amenable to your plan.” He glanced toward Janie. “She comes with me.”

  “Of course,” Suri said.

  Lie. Even without superhuman senses, Janie discerned the lie. “You want me dead,” she said, facing her opponent and refusing to show fear.

  Suri glanced down at her pregnant belly. “I have to admit, I’m rather curious to see Zane’s vampire-demon son be raised by Kurjans.”

  Baloney. Janie angled closer to the lift, fear ringing through her ears.

  Belle?

  She stopped. Zane? So much relief flooded her that her knees wobbled.

  Where are you? His voice filtered through her thoughts like the softest of whispers.

  Cavern for the peace talks. Despair weighed down her shoulders. They couldn’t possibly get to her in time, even if any of the Realm helicopters had survived the attack. Is everyone okay?

  Battered and bruised. Headquarters is just a crater. I’m coming to get you.

  Tears filled her eyes. There isn’t time. I love you, Zane. Always.

  Suri frowned. “Get the goddamn book, or I’m taking that baby myself.”

  Janie turned her coldest gaze on him. “You will die, and I’ll be there.” She turned back to the crazily spinning book. The cavern’s protective spells wouldn’t remain in place for long.

  She stepped toward the book, and the cover opened, its pages fluttering in a nonexistent breeze.

  Creepy.

  Drawing on strength, trying to remember her lessons with Moira and Brenna, she chanted in a language even she didn’t understand.

  The book snapped closed.

  Rumbles shook the earth, and a schism wound along the floor. Janie shoved herself away from the split, her gaze wildly rushing to the lift.

  “Not a chance,” Suri said. “The book. Now.”

  If she gave him the book, he’d leave her underground. Every instinct she had yelled at her to stop him. Maybe with the book?

  “You can’t read the passages without me,” she said slowly.

  “I don’t need the passages. I just need the book,” he returned, his eyes gleaming as his gaze alighted on the now still book. “Get it, or I promise pain you can’t even imagine.”

  Her imagination was excellent. She rubbed her belly and took a step closer to the book. Warmth brushed her face and wandered down her front. A pure warmth.

  She couldn’t let Suri have the power of the book.

  Heat rushed through the cavern, and the earth quaked. Another fissure ripped along the floor. Janie fell down. Kalin jumped to her right.

  Agony rippled along her abdomen.

  Gasping, she shoved herself to stand. Another pain hit her, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out.

  The air shimmered. Oxygen split in two, and Zane Kyllwood heaved himself through space and time to land hard on the stone floor. He rolled at the last second to avoid the fissure.

  Blood coated the earth.

  He stood, pale and gasping, raw fury darkening his face across the cavern. “Let her go, Suri.”

  Suri snarled. “You’re supposed to be dead.”

  “Not even close.” Zane rose to his full height, his chin lowering. Red matted his vest. “Stop hiding behind my woman, and let’s finish this.”

  Janie eyed the book. Only pure stubborn will was even keeping Zane upright. She had to do something.

  Suri glanced from Zane to Janie. “If she gets me the book, I’ll let you both go.”

  “Bullshit.” Zane didn’t even look her way. “Stop being a coward.”

  Suri frowned. “You know, I have a better idea. How about I kill her, and you watch?” Silver flashed, and a Degoller Star filled his palm. He flexed his hand and threw.

  “No!” Zane yelled, leaping across the cavern.

  Janie cried out and tried to duck, but Suri was too fast.

  Kalin growled and jumped in front of her, his hands still bound. The star slashed through his neck, and he fell to the ground.

  Janie dropped to her knees, reaching for him.

  Shock covered his face. His eyes closed, and his head rolled into the fissure.

  Chapter 30

  Zane blinked, his gaze focusing on his pregnant mate. She sat on the floor, pale and trembling next to Kalin’s headless corpse.

  The Kurjan had saved her.

  Suri swore, and the world narrowed to the threat he posed.

  Zane lunged across the schism and tackled his uncle, throwing them both into a series of boulders. Pain ripped down his spine, and rock splinters stabbed his neck. Blood still poured from his chest wounds, and his knees felt like rubber from transporting one last time.

  But if this were his final moment, he’d take Suri with him.

  He turned his head to capture Janie’s attention and get one more glimpse of the woman who held his soul. “Get to the lift and then run.”

  Suri grappled him into a headlock, and Zane had to concentrate on living long enough to give Janie a chance at survival. A slim chance, but if anybody could live through this, it’d be Janie Belle Kayrs.

  Just the thought of her name awakened something inside him. Deep and strong . . . and beyond his current limitations.

  Using Suri’s chest as a fulcrum, Zane flipped his feet over them both, landing on his knees above Suri’s head and jerking free his neck. He clapped both hands into a solid fist and drove down into Suri’s nose.

  Blood arced almost in slow motion across the cavern.

  Suri punched up. Zane’s jaw cracked, and unbelievable pain threw him back into a solid sheet of rock. His head hit and then his shoulders, the impact ricocheting down his body.

  The earth rumbled in absolute fury. The fissure widened, and several smaller branches broke from the main one.

  Zane blinked and fought for consciousness. Across the cavern, Janie had risen to her feet, her hands settled protectively across her belly, a look of hard determination blanketing her delicate face. She leaped across the widening gap in the earth and dropped to scrabble through the rocks shifting and falling all around.

  “Get out of here,” Zane yelled.