Dage and Conn dropped next to them. On their feet.
Talen smirked.
Zane ignored him and eyed the cloudy sky. “I have a cache of weapons stashed a mile to the north.”
Dage growled. “Then why did we land here?”
“Because you took off before I could tell you,” Zane responded without heat. For some reason, he understood the Kayrs family. His father would’ve liked them.
Dage rubbed his chin. “You’re right. Sorry.”
Zane blinked. “No worries. This way.” He turned and jogged through the forest while three vampires followed behind him.
War made for odd allies. Or was it the war? He and Janie were always meant to be, as far as he was concerned. Even if their mating was short-lived.
For the first time in a long, time, he wondered. Was there a way to survive his destiny?
They reached the hidden trunk and quickly suited up with knives, laser guns, and automatic rifles.
Dage glanced up. “No Degoller Stars?”
“No. Banned by treaty,” Zane returned.
Dage nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “Will Suri abide by the treaty?”
“No.” Zane shoved one more knife in his boot. “So watch your heads.” Then he turned and led the way toward the abandoned town.
Vibrations of power filtered on the breeze.
Talen growled.
Yeah, demons and vampires didn’t usually mix. Zane paused at the tree line. “Stay away from anybody with more than five medals on their chest. You can’t handle the backlash for killing one of the elite.”
Arrogance lifted Dage’s eyebrow. “I’ve killed demons.”
“None of these.” Zane dug deep for patience. “Killing one of these will send out a mental shock wave strong enough to fry your brain.”
“Bullshit,” Conn muttered.
Zane shrugged. “Believe me or not. Your choice.”
Dage eyed the quiet building. “I have heard stories. If this is true, can you shield against Suri if you kill him?”
“Yes,” Zane lied. Something down deep told him the king would sacrifice himself for Janie’s mate if necessary, and Zane couldn’t let him do it. If anybody had a sliver of a chance of healing from Suri’s unleashed powers, it was a demon like Zane.
No vampire would ever survive.
“I’ll take the interior. Wait for my signal.” Without looking back, Zane hustled through the early morning and climbed the outside of the whorehouse. He reached the balcony and slipped inside an abandoned bedroom.
A gun cocked.
He stilled.
Nick walked out from behind an oriental dressing screen, his weapon pointed at Zane’s head. “I’m sorry.”
Suri shoved open the door and stomped inside, a Degoller Star in his hand. “Bind him.”
Nick zip-tied Zane’s wrists before frisking him head to toe and finding every damn weapon.
