Page 92 of Beyond the Darkness

“Mother of all, what the hell wasthat?” Kit yelled.

“Go, go, go,” Hudson yelled. “That was the signal! They’re at the underground lake!Go!”

Don laughed. “You’re underestimating his mates.”

“Oh?” Lennox asked with a mocking tone.

Instantly, Kage was in motion, pulling their group into the shadows. Between one breath and the next, they were in the darkness, and then they were in the tunnels. They ended up right outside the main tunnel that led to the underground lake. Almost immediately, Connie heard Don talking.

Alarms started blaring.

Group after group portaled in and spread out. Susan studied the runes and started weaving a spell. Hunters flooded into the tunnels, and fighting broke out.

The werewolves attacked with their deadly claws and teeth. A head went flying by as Connie stormed forward. He saw a mer move his hands in an odd way, and water encased a hunter’s head. Connie had seen this before, and it was as terrifying now as it was then. Most of the daemons were in their true forms, their massive wings also a deadly weapon.

There was a series of loud crashes, and screams followed, echoing down the tunnels.

“What the fuck have you done?” Lennox roared.

“Kit is loved, something you have no concept of.” Don yelled. “Oh, and what is that I hear?”

Connie partially transformed, seamlessly as usual. Hudson was right behind him in a similar state. They didn’t dare allow their dragons out because that might completely collapse the tunnels, and that was the last thing they wanted.

There was complete chaos. Overhead lights flickered as rescuers and hunters clashed fiercely. The sounds of combat were intense—shouting and grunts of exertion and pain.

The open room where Lennox stood was now a battleground. The stench of blood and fear filled the air, mingled with the sounds of roars and snarls. Destruction and chaos echoed around them as bodies hit the ground and furniture was overturned in the fray.

Connie roared, a guttural sound of protective fury as he barreled forward. Hunters scattered as flames rolled toward them. Hudson was at his flank, their movements synchronized after years of fighting together.

But even during the madness, Connie looked around, desperately searching for Kit. When a particularly large adversary lunged toward him, Connie intercepted him with a swipe of his powerful claws—sending him crashing into a wall and leaving a sizable dent… and a shredded chest.

The fight continued around them—a blur of motion and color and noise—but gradually, Connie sensed the tide turning in their favor. Raven’s vampires were relentless in their pursuit, while Ward commanded gargoyles to secure the perimeter.

But Connie couldn’t find Kit.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE – KIT

KIT’S BREATH caught as Lennox reached for his waistband. In one swift motion, he pulled out a gleaming gun and aimed it at Don’s chest. A deafening shot rang through the air, and a bullet tore through Don’s flesh, leaving a gaping hole in his chest. A sickening gasp escaped Kit’s lips as he watched in horror.

Another sharp, animalistic scream pierced the air as Don collapsed to the ground. Kit covered his ears, trying to block out the agonizing sound that reverberated through his skull and shook him to his core.

“What the fuck did you just do?” Kit screamed, taking a step toward Don.

“We’re leaving,” Lennox said, grabbing Kit by the wrist.

“Let go!” Kit jerked against his hold, but it was no use.

Very calmly, Lennox pointed the gun at Kit’s head. “None of us can survive a bullet to the brain, so I suggest you stop fighting me, or I will shoot you in the head. If I can’t have you, they certainly will not either.”

Kit didn’t have a choice. He fully believed that Lennox would indeed shoot him if he resisted. Casting a look at Don, he allowed Lennox to pull him into the darkness.

Thank the Mother for the mate bond. It was the only thing connecting him to Connie and Hudson—and their only way to find him. Bowing his head in desperation, he silently added Gaura to the plea for help.

Every fiber of Kit’s being screamed for him to stop, to fight back, but he knew he had to play along for now. Kit wasn’t obvious about resisting Lennox as he was pulled along the darkened tunnel, but he was certainly dragging his feet as much as he dared.

Lennox was too focused on escaping to notice how Kit purposely slowed them down, digging his heels into the ground and pulling against Lennox’s grip when he pretended to trip. His mind raced, trying to find an opportunity to turn the tables and take control of the situation.

Connie and Hudson were coming. Of that he had no doubt.

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