Page 143 of The Vampire's Thirst
I’m gonna beat those bastards at their own game. Bring it on.
****
From the shelter of a tree, Jace peeked across an overgrown lawn toward a shabby house. Though it wasn’t the place where she had been imprisoned with Celene, it gave off the same evil vibes, making her knees weak and her stomach fluttery. Bad memories. Her kidnapping, her imprisonment, the cruel guards, Lort, her escape, days running. But she straightened her spine while she jutted out her chin. She would deal to rescue a friend.
Braelyn pulled alongside, pocketing the keys to the borrowed SUV. She was joined by the rest of the descendants and Indigo.
Though a day late because of the flood of refugees, the plan was a go. The timing was perfect. With the stronghold bustling, no one would miss the women. In fact, some of the mates were meeting with the American army. Other Firebrands were busy with their many duties, including her Tyr.
Denim, the ex-military, ex-Alliance agent, and current Firebrand, lifted her hand. She closed her eyes. The air chilled. When she flicked her wrist, a misty cloud rolled over the house and yard. In no time, it thickened to pea-soup fog. “You’re on deck, Margo. Make it good.”
The redhead stepped behind a tree trunk, slowly blinking while she wiggled her fingers. She smiled, freckles stippling her face. “Communications dead.”
“Fin,” said Denim, “time to call your animals. Have them patrol the perimeter.”
Thorn’s mate brushed back the dark springy curls of her short, stylish hairdo. “On their way.”
“Good job,cher.” Denim, her Cajun accent barely noticeable, clasped Fin’s shoulder. “It’s going to be hard seeing until I lift the cloud. I’ll do that once we’re all in place. The sound of the front door crashing in will be our go signal. Kill the guards if you have to. Don’t let your conscience get in the way. Any questions?”
Heads shook.
“Indigo, you lead into the backyard. Brae will go first into the front. The rest of you hold onto another woman’s shirt or belt so you don’t get lost in the fog.” Denim started toward the house, the women daisy-chaining as they moved forward.
Denim waited, her head bobbing as if she were ticking off minutes until everyone was in place. With a wave of her hand, the thick fog lifted. She signaled Braelyn who drew up a knee, kicked out, and booted down the door just like in the movies.
Jace slapped a hand to her chest, trying to still her sledgehammering heart.
Oh, shit. Here we go.
In the living room, a guard stared at a computer screen. With the crash of the door, he leaped over the desk, landing on two feet. Suddenly, he froze, one foot poised to run, his other stuck in place. He was like a granite-carved statue, except his legs twitched and snarls burbled from his chest while Braelyn took control of his mind.
Before the other guard, who was watching television, could spring over the couch, Chiara flicked her wrist. He crumpled to the floor. She leaned over, putting her fingers to the pulse on his neck. “Alive. I feel a beat.” But his body spasmed, jerking as if he were a marionette whose controller had a nervous tic. “I think he’s convulsing, though. Oh well.”
A loud crash sounded from the back of the house. Indigo shouted, “All’s good. We’ve got two runners. Oskar and Lizzy’s tiger are on their heels.” Boots thudded across the floor.
Jace flew inside, flinging open the doors off the living room. The rooms were empty. “She has to be here.” Frantic, her gaze pinged around, looking for likely spots to keep a prisoner.
Skyler called from the kitchen. “Hey. Got a locked door. I tried kicking, but it’s solid.”
Jace sprinted out of the living room. “Keys. Does anybody see keys?”
Braelyn checked cabinets while Skyler raced to search the downed guards’ pockets.
“Celene, are you in there?” Jace yelled through the thick door. No answer.
Lizette bumped open the kitchen screen door with her hip while clamping a hand to her upper arm, blood oozing between her fingers. She twisted to look over her shoulder at Indigo. “I’m just saying, your gryphon Oskar is very cool. Much bigger than my tiger.”
“I’ll tell him you said so. He’s a sucker for a compliment.” When Indigo saw the others raiding the kitchen, she arched her brows. “What’s up?”
“We need keys. Check your guards’ pockets.” Jace pounded fists on the steel door.
“I hope Oskar didn’t eat them,” said Indigo. “He has a thing for shiny metal.”
She and Lizette took off for the yard again, the screen banging on its hinges.
Jace paused to listen to the shouts outside.
“Found ’em. Let go, Oskar. Give ’em back. Do not swallow them. I’m warning you. I conjured you. I can un-conjure you. Think about it. Poof. No more gryphon.”
