Page 30 of Dead End

My teammates entered the room. “Holy hell,” Dantalion breathed.

“Boost me,” Josie snarled.

Dantalion crouched down so she could stand on his shoulders. He passed his sword into her outstretched hand. Moving quickly, she sliced through the ropes around hisbody. A moan escaped him as he moved his arms for the first time in gods knew how long.

“Can you use your flaming sword?” Josie asked.

“No sword,” he murmured. “Too weak.”

“Here, give him my dagger,” I said, passing it to Dan.

“Cut the ropes around your ankles. Dan and I will catch you.” Josie jumped to the floor with her usual grace.

Kane didn’t answer. Instead he started to pull himself toward the ceiling. After what he’d endured, I couldn’t imagine the effort it took for him to do that, but it was the fastest and most efficient option.

“Hurry,” Dantalion said in a harsh whisper. “I hear footsteps.”

My heart raced as I watched his clumsy and awkward efforts to cut through the bindings.

I stifled a cry of joy as he dropped into Dan and Josie’s arms. The relief on his face was so stark, it resembled a wave of calm before a storm. Dan gently released him and ran to the door to scan the corridor.

“Let’s move,” he said. The tension in his body never eased; he remained on edge, constantly calculating.Thiswas the great duke of hell who’d liberated Kane from imprisonment.

“Water,” Kane whispered.

I ran to the kitchen to fill a glass.

“Well, well, well. And here I thought tonight would be as dull as all the others.”

My fingers clenched the glass of water as I slowly turned to see Lucifer’s frame filling the doorway.

“You seem awfully relaxed for someone taken by surprise,” Josie said.

Lucifer clucked his tongue. “My dearest Josephine. The cat doesn’t simply pounce on the mouse the moment the creature appears. It’s far more entertaining to play a little first, wouldn’t you agree?”

I rushed to crouch beside Kane and held the glass to his parched, split lips. He took a careful sip. I pressed my bare arm against his, relishing the touch of his skin after too many days apart.

“Ah, Lorelei. I heard the rumors, of course. An impressive feat, escaping The Corporation’s grasp. You should know that even if you were to manage this incredible—and I do mean incredible—feat of liberating him, your reunion will be short-lived.”

“And why is that?” I asked.

“Because like me, The Corporation doesn’t like to lose.”

“Too bad you’ll have to get used to it,” I said. “There are four of us and only one of you.”

He laughed heartily. “Your self-assurance is admirable. If only the world had more women with your confidence, you might be able to actuallydosomething about your second-class citizenship.”

The vampire’s fangs gleamed as she unleashed a vicious snarl. Lucifer simply laughed, which only served to aggravate Josie more. In typical fashion, she let her emotions take the wheel and charged.

Big mistake.

Lucifer palmed her face with his hand like he was putting an unruly puppy in her place.

“There’s a reason you’re always relegated to the sidelines,” Lucifer sneered. Maintaining his grip, he lifted her by the face and tossed her aside like a rag doll. She smashed into the sofa, tipping it backward.

Dantalion rushed him next. Lucifer throat-chopped the great duke and swatted him to the floor like the demon was no more substantial than a mayfly.

I felt Kane’s hand on my thigh, asking me to stay put. I couldn’t do that. We’d come this far, and I refused to give up now.

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