Page 27 of Dead End

“She wasn’t going to say anything useful,” Gun said. “She was only trying to get under Lorelei’s skin. You’ve got about twenty minutes before she regains consciousness.”

“We’re not letting her go,” Josie insisted.

West pushed himself off the arm of the sofa. “Fine. I’ll take her to the pack. We’ve got chains in the barn that should hold her until we come up with a plan.”

“Need a hand?” Goran offered.

“I could use a lift. I ran here in my wolf form.”

Gun rose to his feet. “I can drive you, but the Evil One rides in the trunk. I keep a tarp in there.”

He and West hauled an unconscious Likho out of the room.

I looked at my remaining guests. “I say we go in at sunset, before the club opens and while Lucifer is still down one main minion.”

“How?” Josie asked. “He still has heavy security during the daytime.”

“Goran and Cam will act as a distraction while you, me, and Dan sneak inside.”

Josie folded her arms. “I’m the director of security. There’s no chance we can sneak into the club undetected. That place is a fortress.”

I shrugged. “I beg to differ.”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Prove it.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Twilight wasthick with the hum of insects drawn to summer’s heat and humidity. I refused to complain, though; I reserved that right for winter. By the time our rescue team reached the forest, my T-shirt was drenched in sweat.

“How can we be certain Lucifer’s minions won’t kill us?” Goran asked. “I didn’t finally become human again so I could be chopped into mincemeat by demons.”

“Don’t worry frogger,” Camryn said. “I’ve got you covered. Gun isn’t the only mage with tarot magic.”

“They’re professional assassins,” Josie interjected, “but they’re not allowed to kill on Fairhaven soil.”

Goran drew a deep inhalation. “I suppose that makes me feel a bit better. Just remind me not to get on your bad side.”

“I don’t have a bad side. My face is perfectly symmetrical.” Camryn’s symmetrical face scrunched into a ball. “What in the name of Gucci is that?”

I followed her gaze to a two-headed creature with a long neck and a round, feathered body that was trotting toward us.

No, not two heads. The demonic ostrich was ridden by a second demon.

Dantalion hefted his sword and moved to stand between us. “The Dalhan.”

“The creature falls into that category of so ugly that it’s cute,” Goran observed. “I can picture it as a cuddly toy.”

“The Dalhan eats the flesh from rotting corpses, in case you were wondering,” Dan said.

Camryn gave his shoulder a friendly pat. “Why don’t we let you handle this one?”

The Dalhan slowed the demon bird to a stop in front of Dantalion. “Move, traitor,” the rider rasped.

“If you’re heading back through the crossroads,” Dan said, “I’d be more than happy to escort you there.”

The Dalhan’s bright and lively laughter was completely at odds with his sandpaper voice. “And I suppose that sword is for my protection?”

“Oh, it’s for protection but not for you.”

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