“While I would love to stand here and answer all your questions, it’s almost time to start the ritual,” he said as he straightened to his full height. “The last remnants of summer’s light are fading, bringing on the desolation of darkness and winter. Besides, we both know the only reason you’re asking all these questions is because you think that will give your werewolf boyfriend time to show up and save you.”
Kat wanted to deny it, if only to try and drag the argument out a little longer. But then the sound of chanting grew louder, and she looked around to see all twelve members of Marko’s coven standing outside the circle, their faces intent as they focused on their leader. The tingling she’d felt all over her body seconds before grew steadily stronger until she swore there were electrical currents running across the surface of her skin.
“For what it’s worth, your werewolf and the rest of his pack are close by.” Marko gazed down at her. “Unfortunately for you, they won’t be able to find you. We’ve obscured this section of the park a dozen different ways. Even with whatever enhanced abilities they have, they could walk right past this clearing and never even know you’re here, no matter how loud you scream. And trust me, you will scream before I’m done.”
Kat told herself not to panic, that he was simply trying to scare her. But then she remembered how painful Marko’s spell had been the first time around, and her heart suddenly began to beat out of control. She struggled against the invisible bonds that held her again, even though she knew it would do no good. All she did was elicit a sardonic laugh from Marko.
“While that is fun to watch, we have to get started.” He regarded her thoughtfully. “You might want to brace yourself. This is going to hurt like hell.”
Marko turned his palms until they were facing her, then started speaking in barely comprehensible Latin. Burning hot fire immediately rushed through Kat, making it feel like her entire body was engulfed in flames.
And all she could do was scream.
Chapter 24
Even though they knew the general location of the clearing where Marko was doing the ritual, it still took Connor and his team way too long to find the place. But now that they could see the thick wall of thickets ahead of them, along with the discreet trail markers Gage and the others had left earlier, he knew they were in the right part of the park.
Kat, Jenna, and the kids Marko had kidnapped were close.
And considering there was barely a glimmer of daylight left in the western sky, it wasn’t an understatement to say they were definitely cutting it close, too.
“Connor, are you in position?” Gage’s voice came over the earpiece he was wearing. “We’ve only got a few minutes before the sun drops completely below the horizon. We need to move.”
“Roger that. We’re on the south side of the clearing, two hundred yards from the edge of the objective,” Connor told him, looking around at his pack mates and the half dozen cops Sandoval had brought with him. “We’re ready to go on your mark.”
“We’re at two minutes and counting,” Gage confirmed. “And don’t worry. You’ll know when it’s time.”
Connor didn’t doubt that for a second. The new plan they’d come up with on the way through the park was simple but functional. Gage and the majority of the Pack, including everyone who could handle a full werewolf shift, would hit the clearing from the north and the west, going in hard, fast, and loud. Once Marko and his coven were distracted by that full frontal assault, Connor, Rachel, Trevor, and Hale would slip in and grab Kat, Jenna, and the kids. Sandoval and his detectives from the Missing Persons Unit would wait outside the perimeter of the clearing, ready to take custody of the teens and run like hell to get them out of the park.
“You sure you don’t want us to go in with you?” Sandoval asked softly, leaning in close as he eyed the section of vines and thickets ahead of them. “If those witches and warlocks are as nasty as you say, won’t you need all the help you can get?”
“I appreciate the offer, Detective,” Connor said. “But let us do our part, and you do yours. It’s the only way we’re all going to get out of this alive.”
Sandoval seemed inclined to argue but then nodded, frowning as Connor and his SWAT teammates loaded their weapons and checked their tactical gear. “Did I hear one of your teammates say that warlock has your girlfriend and your sister now, too?”
Connor nodded grimly, waiting for the detective to say something about him being too close to the situation. But the rebuke never came. Instead, the other cop gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze and murmured something about hoping Connor got them back safely.
Connor hoped the same thing.
A series of long, low howls echoed over the radio, making Sandoval and his people jump in alarm. A split second later, automatic gunfire ripped through the darkness.
Connor turned to signal his pack mates. “Time to go.”
Giving Sandoval a nod, Connor turned and ran straight toward the heaviest section of thickets. He and his pack mates had to force their way through brush and vines that seemed to fight them every step of the way. When they finally broke through, it was like stepping into another world. The roar of the gunfire was louder in here, the darkness under the trees lit up by all the muzzle flashes and walls of roiling fires. His other pack mates, some partially shifted and others in their full wolf form, were darting everywhere across the clearing, clawing and biting at Marko’s coven.
Even though they were outnumbered by the Pack, the witches and warlocks didn’t seem concerned, and a few seconds later, Connor saw one of this teammates, all two hundred and fifty pounds of his shaggy wolf form, go flying into the darkness of the surrounding forest. There was a horrendous crash as the Pack’s biggest werewolf smashed through several pine trees and kept right on going. Connor cursed. A werewolf could handle a lot of damage, but a crushed skull or a branch impaling one in the heart would be enough to finish them.
Praying his teammate would be okay, Connor turned his attention back to the center of the clearing.
A light-green glow filled the protective circle, and he could just make out Kat lying motionless on the ground, Marko standing over her.
Connor’s heart constricted in his chest.
Was he too late?
But then he saw the warlock’s lips move. Marko wouldn’t be chanting right now if he’d already finished the ritual, right?
He strained to hear what Marko was saying but couldn’t pick up anything. Even over all the growling and shooting, he should be able to hear what the man was saying.
