Darkness Rises (Immortal Guardians) (36 page)

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Authors: Dianne Duvall

BOOK: Darkness Rises (Immortal Guardians)
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She blinked, knowing he spoke the truth. Tears trailed down her cheeks.
Beside her, Étienne released her hand and wrapped a comforting arm around her.
“Thank you for saving me,” she said.
He dipped his head in acknowledgment and looked from her to Étienne. “I am doubly glad now that I was able to do so.”
The front door opened and Chris entered, the strap of a bulging soft leather briefcase looped over one shoulder. Securing the door behind him, he headed for the table and took one of the two unclaimed chairs, leaving the chair at the opposite end of the table from David empty.
Greetings flowed around the room as Darnell took out his phone and dialed, but the call went to Seth’s voice mail.
He met David’s gaze as he put away the phone.
David turned his head to one side, as though listening, and closed his eyes. “Seth.”
Everyone exchanged glances.
“Yes.” David opened his eyes and faced them. “He shall be here shortly.”
Sheldon stared. “Where is he?”
“Anchorage.”
“Alaska?”
“Yes.”
“And he could hear you?”
“Yes.”
Lisette met Étienne and Richart’s gazes. “That’s amazing. I have to at least be in the same state to hear my brothers.”
Krysta looked up at Étienne as he nodded.
David shrugged. “I’m older. It requires a great deal of power.”
“That’s awesome,” Sheldon said. “Can you contact
any
immortal that way?”
“Yes.”
“Would you tell Oscar in California that I want the hundred bucks he owes me? He isn’t answering his phone.”
David stared at him.
Sheldon swallowed. “You aren’t telling him, are you?”
“No.”
Krysta’s tears dried as amusement sifted through her.
Seth appeared just inside the front door, katanas in hand, his face and clothing blood-splattered. “One moment,” he told them, then vanished.
Krysta heard a faucet turn on down in the basement. Rustling. The water shut off.
Seth reappeared, face and hands clean, fresh clothing adorning his tall form, weapons sheathed. He took his seat. “Sean,” he said, “I understand you wish to be transformed.”
Every eye turned to Sean. “Yes, sir.”
“You have my permission. Étienne may transform you at any time of your choosing
after
tonight.”
“Thank you.”
“Tonight I would like you to remain here and offer what aid you can in the infirmary in case any of the wounded come here instead of going to the network. A staff is already on hand, ready to be of service, and have been informed of your ability.”
“I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
“Do
not
push yourself too far healing or you may not live long enough to be transformed.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Chris?”
Chris rose and, opening his briefcase, began to hand out file folders. “Seth and David inspected the compound this afternoon. These are the schematics they drew. Since the tracking devices could be discovered at any moment, we need to strike tonight.”
Étienne took the folder offered to him. “How do you know they haven’t already been discovered?”
“My men have been surveilling the place all day. There has been no increase in activity. Although we do believe the commander arrived just before sunset with two other men. The mercenaries all saluted him and treated him with deference and respect.”
Krysta took a folder, feeling a sense of pride that she was now one of them and treated as such. Even Sean was given a folder.
Chris handed David one and rounded the table.
Marcus took a folder. “Do you know who the commander is yet?”
“No. My men had to keep their distance to avoid compromising their mission and couldn’t get a good look at his face.”
Krysta studied the map. A large main building. Two hangars that shielded who knew what. Helicopters.
Marcus scowled. “This is nearly identical to the last compound we conquered.”
Seth leaned back in his chair. “Yes, it is. There’s no denying anymore that there is a connection. We just don’t know what it is.”
Ami bit her lip and met Seth’s gaze, worry shadowing her pretty green eyes.
Seth spoke softly to her. “Ami, I want you to sit this battle out. Stay here with Darnell and help him coordinate the other Seconds. And help Sean with the wounded if you can.”
Ami looked up at Marcus and nodded. “All right.”
“Jenna,” Seth added. “I’d like you to remain here, too. You haven’t completed your training and aren’t prepared to face the opposition you would if you accompanied us.”
Beside Richart, Jenna nodded. “If you find yourself in need of an extra pair of hands . . .”
He smiled. “Richart or I will come for you.”
David leaned forward and clasped his hands on the table. “Since it worked well for us before, we’re going to employ the same strategy we used the last time. The immortals will strike first, catching them off guard and clearing a path. Then the Seconds and network guards will sweep in behind us.”
Chris nodded. “I have Black Hawks, two Sisu XA-180 armored personnel carriers, and two Humvees full of men standing by a few miles from the compound. The Seconds here will accompany me to the rendezvous point in a van.”
“A majority of the mercenaries will likely be in the main structure,” Seth said. “David, Roland, Sarah, Marcus, Lisette, and I will tackle that. Bastien, Melanie, Étienne, and Krysta, take the barracks. Richart, Ethan, and Edward, handle the guards on the grounds, but beware of land mines and other traps. Yuri and Stanislov, take the hangers.”
Chris held up a finger. “Once more I’d like to request that you keep the vehicles intact, if possible, so that we can use them ourselves in the future.”
Yuri and Stanislov both sighed with disappointment.
“You are forever spoiling our fun, Reordon,” Stanislov complained.
Seth smiled. “Immortals, make sure you have several doses of the antidote on you stowed in different pockets, so if a bullet destroys one you will have another available.”
“Elder immortals,” David said, “Keep an eye on the younger immortals and lend them assistance when needed. Sarah and Melanie, because you possess the speed and strength of elder immortals, I include you in that category.”
The two women nodded.
Melanie winked at Bastien. “I get to keep my eye on you.”
He grinned. “You always do. My
ass
, that is.”
“Because your ass is hot.”
“I know.”
Roland sighed loudly.
Chuckles erupted.
“Any questions?” Seth asked.
No one spoke.
“Okay. Let’s book.”
Krysta rose and started to follow the others toward the door.
Sean caught her elbow and pulled her into a hug. “Be careful.”
“You, too. Like Seth said, don’t overdo it.”
“I won’t.”
She saw Sarah tug on Roland’s hand as they walked past. “Why couldn’t
we
have had siblings like that?”
“I don’t know. We got screwed.”
Sean laughed.
Smiling, Krysta took Étienne’s hand and followed the others out into the night.
Chapter 19
Krysta stood with Étienne and her immortal brethren (it felt so weird to think of them that way) in the shadows of tall, fragrant evergreens. The moon was new, something that should work to their advantage. Unless the compound bore ultrabright stadium lights, there should be plenty of shadows from which immortals could strike.
Étienne tightened his grip on her hand.
Keep your mind open to me.
You look nervous
, she said, peering up at him. She was a little nervous herself.
Are you planning to propose to me again?
she teased.
He smiled.
Not if your answer will change.
Krysta shook her head.
It will always be yes
.
He stole a quick kiss.
Feel better?
she asked.
Yes
.
You were worrying about me getting hurt, weren’t you?
You know me well.
She liked to think she did.
We’ve fought mercenaries and won before.
There were far fewer to fight and you still ended up getting shot.
I’m immortal now. Bullets won’t kill me.
But they hurt like hell and, as I’ve said before, I don’t like seeing you hurt.
I am so in love with you,
she professed.
I love you, too
, he said, eyes acquiring an amber glow
.
I know. Don’t let that distract you tonight. I don’t want you worrying about me. I can kick ass like the rest of them.
He raised her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.
As you wish.
You’re totally lying and are going to worry about me anyway, aren’t you?
Again, you know me well.
Seth appeared in their midst.
Chris and the Seconds are in place. Time to go to work.
Stay sharp
, David advised.
All nodded and drew their weapons.
Seth and David vanished. Krysta thought at first that they had teleported, then realized as sounds of their flight reached her ears that they were just so freaking fast that they had only appeared to.
Roland, Sarah, and Marcus shot off after them.
Melanie and Bastien followed.
Richart teleported.
Krysta, Étienne, and Lisette raced forward.
Ethan, Edward, Yuri, and Stanislov brought up the rear.
 
 
Anxiety filled Étienne as they whipped through the trees, feet barely touching the ground, making no sound that would alert the guards to their approach.
Krysta was a fantastic fighter and lacked nothing in the confidence department. But she wouldn’t be fighting vampires this time. Her ability to see auras would not aid her as they did with vampires and . . .
He just wasn’t sure how she would react to killing humans.
We’re at war
, she thought,
and lives are at stake. Immortal. Vampire. Gifted one. And human, if these people succeed in creating their army of supersoldiers. I’ll feel the same way killing them as I would if I were in the army fighting to defend my country.
How did you do that?
he asked, nonplussed.
Do what?
Read my thoughts?
You were . . . what is it you call it? . . . projecting or broadcasting them.
Big-time,
Lisette added.
And still he worried.
An explosion rocked the night.
The forest they navigated parted and a twenty-foot fence entwined with razor wire loomed.
Étienne leaped it easily and held his breath until he saw Krysta do the same.
An alarm sounded,
wonk wonk wonking
at deafening decibels.
Gunfire erupted as guards swung around to face the threat and fired blindly at the blurred figures racing through the yard.
Several soldiers cried out as Richart, Ethan, and Edward went to work eradicating them.
Bullets whizzed past and filled the air like swarms of mosquitoes. Étienne dodged as many as he could as he and Krysta followed Bastien and Melanie to the wooden structures beside the main building.
Étienne didn’t know how Seth and David had gained entrance to the main building, but the brick facade looked as though a wrecking ball had hit it several times.
Screams rent the air. The scent of blood thickened on the breeze.
Étienne saw crimson liquid spurt from Krysta’s shoulder and clenched his teeth.
I’m fine
, she said.
Stop worrying about me
.
Easier said than done.
Ahead of him, Bastien swore foully as Melanie burst through the door of one of the barracks without waiting for him.
Étienne headed into another, Krysta right on his heels.
Merde
. This must be one the damned day guards used because the fucker was full. Men in T-shirts and boxer shorts were already leaping out of bed and grabbing weapons, having been given a few seconds’ warning by the damned alarm that continued to blare outside.
Étienne never slowed. Swinging his katanas, he barreled through them like the bulls of Pamplona. Howls of pain ensued.
At the opposite end of the room, he stopped and spun around.
 
 
Krysta remained in constant motion, zigzagging from side to side as she cut down the soldiers and herded those still standing toward Étienne’s deadly blades.
Two more bullets hit her. Pain erupted in her side and her thigh.
Gritting her teeth, she powered forward, glad she had chosen to wield katanas tonight rather than the shorter shoto swords. The longer blades worked well against humans with guns and seemed to scare the hell out of them at the same time.
The humans’ auras took on a dark, muddied red as anger and fear seized them.
Krysta wished their auras would warn her when and where they intended to shoot, because those damned bullets stung!
She was
so
glad Étienne had transformed her. Had he not done so, she would be down on the floor, bleeding to death.
Étienne started working his way back toward her.
The scent of fear mingled with the strengthening odors of blood and death.
A tranquilizer dart whipped past, narrowly missing her ear.
Crap!
She singled out the shooter and . . .
Oh. She had meant to knock the weapon from his hand with a katana, but overextended herself and severed his hand.
Screaming, the soldier gripped his wrist and sank to the floor.
A bullet struck her in the shoulder.
She faltered.
Krysta!
Étienne shouted mentally.
Right. She swung at the next soldier. And the next. And the next. Stepping over bodies as she methodically made her way toward Étienne.
Something stung her neck like a bee . . . and the world went black.
 
 
Étienne took out two soldiers with one swing and glanced through the shifting bodies that still fought to check on Krysta.
A dart hit her in the neck.
Her knees instantly buckled and she hit the floor hard.
“Krysta!”
One tranquilizer dart shouldn’t have felled her like that. It should have only made her woozy. And he didn’t see any other darts sticking out of her.
Krysta!
She didn’t move. Didn’t respond to his shout. Just lay there like a corpse.
Étienne?
Lisette said.
What is it?
Krysta’s down!
He plowed through the soldiers, cutting as he went.
How could there still be so many?
Melanie burst through the door, zipped over, and knelt beside Krysta.
Either she had heard his mental shout or Lisette had told her Krysta needed help.
Étienne kept one eye on them as he battled the damned mercenaries.
Melanie yanked out the dart. “Listen to my thoughts,” she called over the racket.
Can you hear me?
she asked as she pressed two fingers to Krysta’s neck.
Yes. Something’s wrong. She was just hit with the one dart. She lost consciousness instantly.
Okay. Don’t panic. She’s alive.
That relieved him a little. Seeing Krysta drop like that had scared the hell out of him.
Melanie delved into a pocket, withdrew an autoinjector full of the antidote, flipped the lid, and jammed it against Krysta’s neck.
Nothing happened.
Bullets peppered Étienne’s chest.
Focus!
David rebuked him. He and Seth must be listening in and monitoring the situation.
Étienne impaled the shooter. Dropping a sword, he grabbed the man’s automatic weapon and opened fire on the soldiers rushing toward Melanie and Krysta, still swinging his other sword at the soldiers closest to him.
More bodies sank to the floor.
Krysta’s eyelids fluttered, then lifted.
“Can you hear me?” Melanie asked her, leaning in close to draw eye contact and to be heard over the alarm and screams and sounds of battle.
Krysta nodded. Even from where he was, Étienne could see how sluggishly she responded.
“Can you move?”
Her hands twitched. Her feet, too. Slowly, she dragged her arms closer to her body. “Weak,” she whispered.
Melanie delved into her pocket again and took out another autoinjector.
Wait,
Étienne said. He remembered Richart telling him Melanie had freaked out when Bastien had tested the antidote on himself because it was so strong it could kill an elephant. She had feared it might make his heart beat so fast that it would merely flutter instead of beating and cease pumping blood through his body.
Melanie ignored him, jamming the pen into Krysta’s arm.
Krysta gasped. Eyes widening, she jackknifed into a seated position, chest rising and falling with rapid breaths.
“Are you okay?” Melanie asked, taking her by the wrist.
Krysta nodded. “My heart is racing.”
“Any chest pain?”
“No.”
“Difficulty breathing?”
“I’m breathing kind of fast, but . . . I think I’m okay.”
“Let me know immediately if that changes for the worse.”
Krysta nodded and scrambled to her feet, picking up the swords she had dropped.
Melanie caught Étienne’s gaze.
Tell the others the mercenaries have upped the dose. One dart will fell them so swiftly they won’t have time to use the antidote. Any immortal felled should be given the antidote twice.
“You’re sure you’re okay?” she asked Krysta.
Nodding, Krysta leaped into the fray again, a big grin lighting her face. “I’m fine. Thank you!”
Melanie darted out the door.
Seth warned the others before Étienne had a chance.
Étienne jerked his head to the side just in time to avoid a dart.
Moments later, the last mercenary fell and Étienne raced forward to yank Krysta into his arms.
“I’m okay,” she muttered into his shirt.
He could feel how swiftly her chest rose and fell, heard her racing heart, and wasn’t so sure about that. “You’re practically panting.”
“What can I say? You turn me on,” she retorted.
“Don’t joke about this!” he snapped, tightening his hold on her.
“I’m sorry,” she said and leaned back. “I’m okay. Really. I think double the antidote is a little too strong, but I don’t feel like I’m dying or anything.”
“Forgive me. I didn’t mean to snap.”
“I know, honey. I really am okay. I actually feel . . .
great
.” And damned near danced in place, seeming unable to remain still. “Really juiced. Like I could . . . I don’t know . . . take out a helicopter or something.” Laughing, she tugged him toward the door. “Come on. Let’s go. We still have lots of ass to kick.”
Étienne steadied her when she nearly tripped over a body in her haste, then followed her outside.
Bastien and Melanie raced past toward the third and last barracks.
“We’ve got the last one,” Bastien called and plunged inside, Melanie right behind him.
Richart appeared in front of Étienne and gave Krysta a quick once-over. “Are you all right?” he asked, face full of concern.
“I’m awesome!” she declared with worrisome enthusiasm.
Richart cast Étienne a dubious glance.
“You heard Seth?” Etienne asked.
His brother nodded. “Stay safe.” He vanished.
You, too,
Étienne thought.
Ethan and Edward, along with Richart, steadily reduced the numbers of the guards outside.
All hell had broken loose in the hangars, judging by the sounds of it, so Yuri and Stanislov appeared to have things under control there.
Or not.
Three mercenaries fled one hangar and scrambled into a helicopter. The blades began to rotate as the engine hummed to life.
Krysta gave Étienne a huge grin, her face lighting with excitement. “I’m doing it!” she blurted, sheathing her swords and drawing two daggers.
“What?”
“I’m taking out that helicopter!” Whooping, she dashed away.
“Wait!” He took off after Krysta.
Melanie!
Yes?
Can a double dose of the antidote cause erratic behavior?
That’s definitely a possibility. It’s a stimulant and frighteningly strong. Why?
The helicopter lifted off the ground.
Krysta picked up speed, running damned near as fast as an elder.
Because I think Krysta has lost her damned mind!

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