Page 65 of Curses & Keys
JAMISON
Based on the surveillance data, we realized the group was too large for us to take on by ourselves. Requesting security forces from the council without revealing the details was tricky, but it was the only way I was willing to proceed. The motion barely passed, but they were unanimous in their message—any exposure of our supernatural world would mean my immediate removal as head of security and a trial. Not that there would be much of one, since they serve as both jury and executioner.
Coordinates were given to the two planes after takeoff. Mathias went on one plane to debrief those teams, and I boarded the other to do the same. Gatlin left ahead of us to meet with the surveillance team. Once we have boots on the ground, we’ll coordinate an attack based on his observations.
“We land in twenty minutes,” I tell the teams, then take my seat near the front. Preliminary reports suggest at least a hundred in the enemy camp, but all of the soldiers are human.Normally, I’d take a team of forty, but with their reinforced suits and extensive resources, I decided to match them in numbers.
I glance at my phone. Hawthorne sent me a message letting me know they arrived at the temple in Athens. That was yesterday. Nothing since. I don’t like it. What if they’ve already run into trouble? Maybe we should have gone with them. Tackled this group later.Damn.I hope he sends an update soon.
I trace the photo he sent of her sleeping across from him, lips swollen from our kiss at the airport. I stare at it. Every moment she challenges me. I’m not into public displays, but all the rules go out the window when I’m around her. That kiss. The world faded around us. All I wanted was her. Her lips beneath mine, her soft curves pressed into me, but mostly, her surrender. Damn if she didn’t hesitate to give it to me.
The sound of landing gear interrupts the rest of my thoughts. I grimace. A good thing as I shift uncomfortably. The plane touches down and comes to a halt. I stand and circle my hand to tell them to move out.
“What have you got for me?” I ask Gatlin when he answers.
“Camp is huge. We need to come at it from all sides. As you know, there are six roads in and out. Four teams on each entrance. First wave will focus on taking out as many as possible. We’ll capture any stragglers at the end. Leadership tent identified. I’ll need at least ten to secure it,” he tells me in a strained voice.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, startled to hear something besides his usual calm voice.
“A team of eight left yesterday in two SUVs. We tracked them to Athens but lost them in the city,” he informs me, his voice tight with worry.
“Do you think they know Hawthorne and Phaedra are at the temple?” I ask, my voice sharp with alarm. Hawthorne canhandle himself, but a large team would be near impossible. The pit in my stomach grows.
“Probable,” he replies, his voice tight. “I tried to get ahold of Hawthorne, but nothing. You hear from them?”
His use of the wordthemtells me everything I need to know. Gatlin’s nature is that of a protector, and it’s obvious he sees her as one of us. Something is wrong. I can feel it in my gut.Fuck.
“Yesterday. They arrived in Athens. Nothing today. I’ll keep trying. Right now, we need to focus on this attack. Got it?” Even though it’s the last fucking thing I want to do.
“Affirmative,” he states reluctantly. “But I want to check on them as soon as possible.” His hard tone tells me how worried he is about them.
“We’ll head to Athens after we take this group down,” I promise with a harsh laugh. “We’re loading up. Be there in twenty. Set the timer.”
Mathias, standing beside me, raises a brow.
“Let’s get this over with. Be safe.”
His lips compress and with a set face, he strides over to the first vehicle and gets in the passenger seat.
Gone is the nerd who stays in the background playing with computers and digging up data. This is the fighter I saw when I met him a few centuries back. He’s the vampire Nolan Westgate feared the most. Mathias, the king’s commander, back in his home world of Kallias.
He blames himself for having volunteered to walk through the portal. His king would have spared him, but his honor wouldn’t let him. There was no way he was going to send his men alone. In doing so, he lost the one person he valued most in life—his daughter. Once the war with the gods was settled, he threw himself into searching for a way to return but could never find one.
Resigned, he drifted for a long time. Adapted to this world. Found he had a knack for tech and making money. Became the man he portrays to the world today. Except when cornered.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that expression on his face and those knives strapped to his shoulders. My smile is grim as I contemplate the surprise on his team’s faces when they see the predator behind the mask.
I slide into the passenger seat and nod for us to head out. “Remember, split when we hit the next intersection.” Everyone already knows which of the six roads they will follow into the compound. “Watch your backs and stay away from glowing weapons.”
I pick up my phone and text Hawthorne, telling him about the team headed to Athens. He doesn’t respond, which is unlike him. My gut is churning with dread, but I can’t do anything about it at this moment. Our best bet is to capture the rest of this group and get some damn answers out of them.
“Intersection,” I call out over comms. “Five minutes to target.”
The fight begins the second each team hits the compound. Gunfire rings out across the land. Soldiers shift into animals. Some on the ground and others in the air. Vampires strike hard as they speed through the enemy ranks. The smell of magic burns the air as potions, spells, and fire spread from the outside to the center.
Coming to a stop, Gatlin strides over. With him by my side, we make our way to the leadership tent he identified earlier. “Roughly twenty to thirty inside. Fighters, every one of them. Hand to hand combat is what they want. Between the weapons that can nullify magic and their inherent combat skills, they’re good enough to win. Don’t let them draw you into a fight. Use your magic.”
He steps away from me, transforming into his gryphon. He dips his head and immediately heads up to tear away the tent. We follow on the ground, killing those who rush to escape his fierce talons.
