Page 69 of These Deadly Dreams

My hands shake as I climb through the window after Cade and Connor. Kai gives me a boost before he follows. I can’t see anything inside the room except the glow of Cade and Connor’s magics. Carefully, and quietly, I make my way to them with Kai’s hand on my low back. Connor looks back at us, making sure we’re ready, and I repress a shiver. With his red magic swirling in his eyes, he looks like a demon. Purple and red wreathed hands stretch out, and they rush forward around the doorframe, with Kai following at supernatural speed.

I wait in the darkness, hold my breath again, and strain to hear every sound. Not a whole lot makes it way to me. Faint mutters and thumps. I jump when Drew lands on my shoulder, talons digging in through my leather jacket. That’s my signal. I hurry around the door into the hallway and my gaze scans the scene for Kai and Cade first.

Kai is at the end of the hallway, standing in the intersection with blood dripping down his chin. Three bodies lay at his feet, but only one is missing its throat. Cade is by the door I just exited, and Connor is halfway down the hallway. All three are unharmed. I take a deep breath before grabbing Cade’s hand and following him to the door that will lead to the basement. And Sterling.

Drew flies off my shoulder and through the door. He waits at the bottom for Kai to quietly crack the last door for him to slip through. Kai keeps it propped open, waiting for Drew to return. When he does, he clicks his beak five times. Five guards to deal with.

My heart takes off at a gallop. We’re so close. I reach inside myself, to see if I can sense the bond between me and Sterling, but there’s nothing there. It reminds me of when he almost died. Just vast nothingness where the bond should be. I clutch at my chest and try not think about what that could mean.

Drew settles on my shoulder again, and Cade and Connor slip into the hallway, magic wreathing their bodies. Immediately, shouts erupt and I hear the crash of magic as it slams into walls. Kai grabs my hand and drags me the other direction down the hallway, toward Sterling’s cell. I count the doors as we go, trying to distract myself from the battle being waged behind us. Two against five. Please, please let them be okay.

A single guard stands outside of Sterling’s room. Blue lights twine around his arms as we approach. Kai rushes forward, dodging the blasts of magic with his inhuman speed and reflexes. He’s on the mage faster than I can blink, but the mage is prepared. He has some sort of shield around him and Kai can’t get to his neck with his fangs. I watch with my heart in my throat as they fall into a fist fight, with the occasional burst of blue magic.

Glancing behind me, I see Connor and Cade have taken out three of the five guards. But the last two are proving more difficult. Connor is limping, and blood dips down Cade’s eye from a cut in his forehead. An urgency has built in my chest. The closer I get to Sterling, the more the need to get to him grows.

Inching forward, I keep a close eye on Kai and his opponent. When I reach Sterling’s door, I push it open and slip inside, closing it behind me. All the breath in my lungs leaves me at the sight.

Sterling is laying on the ground curled in a ball facing away from me. He’s naked and bloodied. Burns criss-cross his back and blood pools underneath him. His silver hair is matted and stained red.

The ground slides out from under me and I hit the floor hard. Drew flaps his wings to maintain his balance. I can’t help but imagine curly blond hair, soaked in blood, with a gaping wound on her neck. My realities collide, and I feel myself spiraling down a dark hole I know won’t be able to climb out of alone. A peck on my ear pulls me from my panic, and I take a deep breath. The copper scent of Sterling’s blood fills the room. With my entire body shaking, I crawl to him. His blood is cool under my palms and I have to push away the memory of me doing exactly this with my mom.

“Sterling?” I whisper, my voice shaking as hard as my body. “Sterling?”

No response. I hold my breath and reach my hand out to rest on his shoulder, careful to avoid any of his injuries. His skin is hot, hotter than even a shifter’s skin should be. I don’t want to roll him over. His back is blistered and raw, so I crawl around him. With a shaky hand, I brush his hair from his face. Cupping his cheek, I try again. “Sterling. I’m here.” I lean down and press a gentle kiss to his cheek. “We’re all here, and we’re going to get you out.”

His eyes flutter and my heart leaps in my chest. I catch a sliver of his icy blue eyes before he tenses and closes them again. “El…” His voice is hoarse and he trails off before he can finish saying my name.

“Shh. It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay now.” I keep brushing his hair back, because I don’t know what else to do. What is taking them so long? Has something happened? I distract myself by talking to Sterling. “When we get you all healed up, you better fucking bond with me. I won’t take no for an answer.”

“You … need to … go.” Each word is labored and he has to stop for breath between each one.

“I can’t go without you. Kai will be here in a minute and we’ll get you out.”

“Leave … me … please.” He groans and his entire body shudders. “I’m … dying.”

I’m dying. No. No, he can’t be dying. We got to him in time. I won’t accept any other outcome. The fear that spreads through my body lights me up inside. The blood in my veins boils, burning every bit of fear and anxiety to ash, leaving nothing in its wake but determination.

A golden light flickers over Sterling’s body and Drew squawks, flapping his wings to get away from me. I raise my hands and find them wreathed in golden flames. A smile grows across my face and the door to Sterling’s cell opens.

30. Malakai

I watch Ellis slip into Sterling’s cell and I take a breath. She should be safe in there from any random attack. I need to get this guy down, but he has some sort of shield protecting him. I can’t get my fangs anywhere near his neck.

Dodging another blow laced with magic, I get in a good shot with my elbow. Bone crunches and blood sprays from the mages now broken nose. He stumbles back a step and gives me the moment I need to grab his head in both of my heads. With a grunt, I twist until his neck snaps. I let his body fall to the ground, and I turn in the direction of Cade and Connor. They are down to the last mage, but he’s powerful. Between both of them, they are struggling to get a hit in on him.

Sprinting down the hallway, I use my vampire speed to blur past them and barrel into the mage. I take him to the ground, with my hands around his head, prepared to snap his neck like the last guy. He’s fast though. Faster than a mage should be. He kicks me off him and I fly through the air, hitting the wall hard enough to make my vision blur. What the fuck? A typical mage shouldn't have that kind of speed or strength.

He levels a hand at me, blue light flaring in his palm.

“Get down!” Cade yells.

I duck, right as violet light streaks above my head. It would have been a perfect shot, but the mage jumps to the side, avoiding the hit entirely. However, Cade’s attack gives me the space to duck into an open room. Chest heaving, I take a moment to catch my breath, and try to figure out what the hell is going on. The only thing I can think of is this must be some part of Sam’s project. Maybe enhancing supernatural strengths? Whatever it is, this guy is definitely part of some kind of experiment.

I pull my phone from my pocket, keeping my attention on the doorway, and call Cade.

“You okay?” he asks when he picks up.

“What the fuck is that thing? He’s not a normal mage.”

---