Surrender (13 page)

Beside him, Albert let out a deep guttural growl, the fur on his back upright. The low, menacing sound made the hair on her arms stand on end.

“What is it? I’m sorry I woke you up,” Wendy squeaked.

“You didn’t. They’re here,” Kieran replied.

“Who?” Wendy looked at him through narrowed eyes. He wasn’t dressed. As a matter of fact, he was totally nude. Her eyes flew to his hands; he held a sword in one hand and a dagger in the other.

An earsplitting crash sounded. Loud pops followed.

Then, chaos broke out.

Two demons crashed through the back door.

Wendy screamed.

Kieran pushed her behind him and sliced both demons across the chest before they hit the ground.

Another demon rushed in.

“Oh, God, it’s Josh! The demon from the coffee shop,” Wendy told Kieran, her voice quaking. “He’s the one that attacked me.”

Flames were beginning to engulf the kitchen. The smoke burned her eyes, making them water.

Josh rushed toward them, slicing his sword back and forth, snarling in anger every time Kieran blocked.

“Give me the girl.”

Kieran slashed at Josh. The demon leapt back.

“That would be no,” Kieran answered through clenched teeth.

Just then, two projectiles flew in through another window. Both bounced on the floor. Kieran jumped back, grabbed Wendy up, tossed her over his shoulder, and raced back to the bedroom, Albert on their heels. They barely closed the door when an explosion shook the entire house.

Shaking so badly that her teeth rattled, Wendy stayed on the bed where Kieran had tossed her. He ran to his closet and began to yank on jeans and a shirt, his eyes flickering between her and the door. He looked toward the bedroom window. Wendy followed his gaze.

The window was gone, completely sealed by what looked like cement.

“Hurry up,” Wendy told him; her heart hammering so hard that she was sure she’d have a heart attack. “We’re going to burn up.”

“The room is fortified and fireproof,” Kieran told her. “But we still have to leave. The concrete walls will only slow them down.”

Wendy went to the closet to stand near him, Albert was already in there. The dog was smart.

Behind his clothes, there were weapons lined up against the wall. Kieran took down a semi-automatic rifle and a couple of handguns, shoving them into different pockets in his pants.

He chose a smaller handgun and shoved it into her jean’s waist. Wendy didn’t move as he wrapped a harness onto her thigh and shoved a couple of daggers into them. Then, he took a jacket off a hook and put it on. It was already loaded with daggers. After grabbing his sword and scabbard, he walked out of the closet. Both Wendy and Albert fought to be the one closest behind him.

A loud crash sounded outside the door and made her and Albert yelp.

“It will be okay. Relax, okay?” Kieran turned to her and put his hands on both sides of her face gazing down at her. “Breathe.”

Wendy closed her eyes and inhaled. The smell of him was intoxicating and reassuring. When she opened her eyes, she felt somewhat composed. If anyone would protect her and keep her safe, it was Kieran. She had no doubts.

She smiled weakly at him. “Okay, where to?”

“We’re going to escape through an underground tunnel that goes to the garage in the back. The garage is fortified, but they will eventually get in. Hopefully, we’ll beat them there, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they have someone there waiting, just in case we make it.”

Wendy inhaled sharply and nodded.

“Listen to me,” Kieran told her, his face tight. “As soon as we get to the garage, jump in the Jeep. Don’t look around, don’t try to save the dog or me. Just get in the Jeep, start it, and put it in drive. Keep the locket covered at all times, got that? I will be in the car before you drive out.” He glanced to Albert. “You’re on your own, dog. If you don’t make it to the vehicle, we’re not stopping for you.” Albert cocked his head to the side almost as if he were pondering Kieran’s words.

“Let’s go.” He flicked what looked like a light switch, and a slab of concrete flooring slid sideways. A stairway went down into a dimly lit tunnel. Kieran motioned for her to go first. Albert was already on his way down the stairs.

Once Kieran entered behind her, he pushed down a lever, and the concrete shifted back into place. They were surrounded by pitch darkness.

“I can see in the dark,” Kieran informed her, taking her elbow.

Normally, the darkness and smell of damp earth would have scared the crap out of her, but after the last day’s events, this seemed a mere nuisance. Wendy swept aside spider webs that clung to her face and arms.

A soft light filled the space when Kieran switched on a flashlight that he’d obviously stashed in the space.

They plodded along for a few minutes in silence, the only sound their footsteps on the compact dirt. A few times, Kieran looked up at the ceiling. She wondered if he could hear the demons above them. Wendy remained quiet, not wanting to interrupt, just in case he could.

They stopped at a second set of stairs. Kieran moved past her, climbed up, and then put his ear to the door. Giving the dog a warning look, he leaned down to speak. “Be quiet.”

Wendy frowned at him. The dog was smart but really. Did he seriously think Albert understood him? Kieran met her gaze and shrugged as if hearing her thoughts.

Kieran pushed through the door, his gun pointed.

Demons were waiting for them.

She got to see Her Protector in action again, he opened fire with the semi-automatic, although the bullets didn’t kill the demons. They hurt them, quite a bit from their screeching. The gunfire distracted them from Wendy, as they dove for cover to avoid being shot.

Wendy dashed to the Jeep and yanked the door open. She scampered inside, started it, and held her breath. It didn’t have any kind of top on it. Great.

A scream caught in her throat when a demon jumped Kieran from behind. The demon stumbled back, a dagger in its heart. Somehow Kieran had anticipated it. When he began to fight two demons, Wendy contemplated whether she should drive or do something besides just sit there. The problem was all of the doors were closed. How the hell were they going to get out of there?

When several demons began to come in through the tunnel door, Wendy rammed the Jeep into drive and slammed one against the wall. The force of the vehicle crushed another demon that was about to exit through the tunnel door. He evaporated.

The demon that was pinned between the wall and the Jeep grabbed her arm. Not sure which weapon to reach for, she pulled out a dagger and stabbed at it. The demon yowled in pain and released her. His fangs flashed at her; he was not dead. Wendy closed her eyes and stabbed once again, this time putting all her weight into it. With one last shriek, he evaporated.

“Come on, Kieran, we have to get out of here!” she screamed.

Kieran didn’t react except to shove his sword into a demon. Not waiting for the assailant to evaporate, he flipped a large switch and ran to the Jeep. She scooted over to the passenger seat.

The Jeep lurched forward and Kieran drove straight toward the back wall. Wendy screamed and dove under the dash. The vehicle only paused slightly when it hit the thin plywood wall, which fell away easily.

It was a secret exit.

Flames now fully engulfed the house, lighting the night sky. The light allowed her to see that several demons were pursuing them. It was a scene straight out of a horror movie.

Wendy slashed at a demon that’d managed to grab onto the roll bar. It yelped and fell away, only to be replaced by another. Using both daggers to stab and slice, she lost count of how many demons she’d either maimed or killed.

In the backseat, Albert snarled and bit into a demon. She didn’t know how Kieran managed to keep driving while cutting down demons with his sword arm, but he did.

When they finally got to the highway, Wendy let out a happy whoop. “We kicked demon ass,” she yelled, smiling at Kieran.

He nodded at her, his face stoic as usual.

“Do you ever get excited?” she asked before screaming again. “Yee haw!!”

The erratic sound of his breathing finally got her attention. Her heart almost stopped. Kieran was injured. He bled profusely from cuts to his arms, neck and chest.

So much blood.

“Oh, my God,” Wendy gasped, trying her best not to pass out.

Unfortunately, the metallic odor of blood slammed into her.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Kieran looked to his right. Wendy was passed out in the passenger seat, and he was trying hard not to follow.

She’d sliced and stabbed demons, fighting alongside him, but the sight of him bleeding heavily must have been too much for her. She wasn’t cut out to be a warrior.

Or maybe she just didn’t do well with blood. It didn’t matter at this point. After today, she wouldn’t have to do either. Wendy would move to Ireland, to be part of a totally different world. The pampered life of the Fae would suit her.

Do not pass out.
Kieran blinked and shook his head. Albert nudged his shoulder, as if to encourage him. With a soft whimper, the dog stared straight at him, not backing down until Kieran reassured him. “It’s okay, boy.”

He checked the rearview mirror and was relieved to see that they were not being followed. One good thing about demons, they were not well organized, especially during the festival. Right now, they were too filled with bloodlust and a need for debauchery to fight well, although he gave them credit for trying.

They’d surprised him. He hadn’t expected an attack this week.

Wendy’s head flopped over toward him when he turned the corner toward Cyn’s house. A lock of hair fell across her face.

She was so beautiful.

And after tonight, whether he lived or not, he’d never see her again.

The constriction in his chest increased. The demons had gotten lucky and pierced his chest. They’d barely missed his heart. Although he could survive a pierced heart, If any other main arteries were severed, he would be worm food in a matter of minutes.

When he began to black out, he began to wonder.

Exactly how lucky had the demons gotten?

CHAPTER TWENTY

Josh’s body evaporated. The residual vapor swirled around Gerard. It did little to calm him. With a snort of disgust, he kicked the demon’s sword away.

“Why did I waste my time sending him?” he asked the low-levels who stood near, their eyes darting about as if looking for an escape route. Not expecting a reply, Gerard watched the rest of the demons prepare to depart.

Younglings stood side-by-side and gawked at the burning house, not allowing the overpowering heat to distract them from the enthralling sight of flames that grew taller and brighter against the night sky.

A loud explosion shook the ground as the flames jumped higher. Vibrations from it traveled up his tight leg muscles. Upon his arrival, he had expected to be holding the key within minutes. The raw power of renewed energy should have been coursing into his weakened body now. Instead…nothing. He drew a deep breath in an effort to remain calm and not use up more strength than absolutely necessary.

A drop of perspiration glided down the side of his face. The heat from the fire was becoming unbearable, but he pondered whether the sweat was more from desperation.

In a few minutes, firefighters would arrive. Surely, someone had spotted the glow of the flames by now.

Gerard signaled for everyone to leave, deciding to muster enough energy to flash to downtown Atlanta. Forced to feed like a common low-level, he could draw energy now only from the blood of a living human. He was no longer able to control his bloodlust, and his stomach clenched, demanding more. Tonight, he’d get his fill, gorge until the edge was gone. Whoever the donors were would have to die. He couldn’t chance their minds being read by a Master or, worse, that the human might get back to Inferno and talk.

The constant hunger meant he fed more often at the coven, but not wanting to raise suspicion of his dwindling powers, he only took small amounts. Even so, the human followers were beginning to avoid him. No, he couldn’t continue to live this way. If any high-levels found out his secret, they wouldn’t hesitate to demand a death match so that they could take his place.

Another hunger pang almost doubled him over. Thankfully, no one paid him any attention as the sound of fire engines started to compete with that of another explosion.

As soon as the demons left, Gerard flashed back to Centennial Park. The festivities were just beginning; people were not drunk with lust yet. It didn’t matter. Humans were weak willed, and he couldn’t wait. If he fed well tonight, he could maintain energy for another day or two.

From the shadows of a building, he watched, scanning the crowd for his prey. There were no Protectors in sight. They’d be there soon, the draw of the festivities made for a perfect hunting ground for both demons and Protectors alike.

He became incensed at the knowledge that he couldn’t beat a Protector right now. How had it come to this?

Him—a Master demon. The highest level demon in the entire state of Georgia.

If only he could have acquired the key. Too late, he realized, he should have went to fetch it personally. Now, the key was out of his reach. No doubt, it remained under serious protection now.

His only other option, a distasteful one, was possession. With his powers almost depleted, even if he fed continuously, the curse of the first key had done its damage. He had little choice.

The Key of War increased his powers ten-fold for a century, only to then rob him of them just as quickly when the time was up. Soon, he would be forced to take over someone else’s body to survive. His own would immediately crumble, turning to dust.

Plan B was in motion. The search for his new body had already begun.

Just the night before, he’d run into the perfect donor, a powerful Protector, Fallon Trent. The corner of his lips twitched at the thought.

He’d seen the Protector in a side street. After flashing in behind the male, he’d frozen time and placed a small pebble of possession inside his chest. If he needed a body, very soon Trent would be his for the taking.

“Hello, handsome, why are you standing here all by yourself?” A husky feminine voice tore his attention away from his thoughts. A dark-haired woman stood before him, her face upturned to his, a sensual smile on her lips.

“Obviously waiting for a beautiful woman like you to come by,” he replied smoothly. Locking gazes with her, he immediately took control of her mind.

The woman was attractive. By the professional cut of her dress and no-nonsense heels, she’d probably just left her office. She swayed slightly, blinking, as if trying to see clearly. Gerard took her hand and guided her into the shadowy side street.

He would make this enjoyable for her. Besides, it helped for the female to make encouraging noises in case someone happened by. They’d be mistaken for a couple making out.

When he pushed her against the wall and claimed her mouth, she instantly became aroused; her arms wrapped around him, and she greedily suckled his lips.

“Yes, that’s it, enjoy me,” Gerard whispered in her ear, pushing his hardness into her. “Come for me.”

“Oh, don’t stop,” the woman gasped, grabbing his hips and yanking him into her with amazing strength.

He began trailing kisses down the side of her throat, the strong rush of her blood pumping under his lips assaulted his senses. His incisors snapped down, and he bit her. A moan escaped his lips at the familiar rush of adrenaline when his fangs broke her skin.

“Oh, God, yes!” She called out and began to shake as an orgasm rocked her. Her fingernails dug into his scalp, and she held him in place, not wanting to fall from her high.

Foolish woman.

Her rich, thick blood was nectar, and Gerard gulped it down loudly. She began to writhe, climbing to another peak when a sharp tingle alerted him.

A Protector was near.

Gerard took a few precious swallows. It seemed this donor wouldn’t die tonight after all.

He released the woman with such speed that she cried out in pain when his teeth tore her skin open.

Spinning, he caught sight of the Protector as the male turned the corner. Eyeing the drawn sword, Gerard knew the Protector had already sensed him and was prepared for battle.

It was the same Protector that stumbled upon him just the day before, Julian’s latest recruit to the Atlanta area. Gerard held back the urge to smile. Things were definitely turning in his favor. The Brit had no idea what lay ahead for him, nor did he remember seeing him the day prior. The spell he’d cast camouflaged not only his scent but his features as well.

The powerful man’s energy excited him.

The night wasn’t a total loss after all. Although Gerard wasn’t strong enough to beat the Protector physically, thanks to the woman’s rich blood, his bewitching powers were.

“Not drawing a sword? Does this mean you are going to make this easy for me, demon?” the Protector’s voice held a deep timbre, his words accentuated by his accent. “Well, then, away you go.” The Protector raised his sword and took a step toward him.

The timing had to be perfect. Gerard was ramrod still, his right hand poised, waiting for the precise moment to make contact with the male. The Protector’s sword sliced through the air with a startling precision that was meant to behead him.

At just the right instant, Gerard flashed behind Fallon and pressed his palm to the back of his neck.

The sword clanged to the ground, falling free of the Protector’s hand.

The large male followed.