Suri growled. “I’d like to see my sister try.”
“Oh, you will.” Zane kept his face expressionless. No way was his mother going anywhere near the psycho, regardless of the demonness’s strength. “Why are you reaching out to me?”
“Well, it’s apparent you’ve turned your back on the demon nation,” Suri said.
“No.” Zane stepped closer to the table. “I’ve turned my back on you, only. The demon nation is mine.”
Dage’s eyes sparked at the proclamation, but otherwise, he didn’t move.
Suri flashed sharp canines. “Are you challenging me?”
Lava flowed through Zane’s blood, while a rock the size of Texas landed in his gut. His uncle was crazy and needed to be stopped. “I am.”
Satisfaction lifted Suri’s lip. “I always knew you’d try to take me out.”
“I didn’t,” Zane said honestly. “In fact, if you weren’t such a sociopathic bastard, I’d be fine leaving you in place. But we both know you have to be stopped.”
“I look forward to the day you try.” Suri glanced around the Kayrs conference room, and the air wavered. Little mental sparks popped throughout. “You’ll need your vampire allies, now won’t you?”
Zane kept his stance tall and nodded to his men to shield against Suri’s mild mind attack. The ruling demon seemed to be just playing. “No. It’s between you and me. Always has been.”
“Very well. For now, how about you take care of a mutual problem?” Suri withdrew his mental attack.
Zane relaxed. “The Kurjans aren’t happy with you?”
Suri sneered. “When you mated that human, you set into motion events that will destroy everyone you care about. Now Kalin has a price on my head.”
“How much?” Zane asked, flashing his own fangs. “My bank account could use some storing up.”
“Funny. Kalin and his troops are stationed thirty miles outside of San Francisco, preparing to descend upon Kayrs headquarters. I’ve emailed you the location. Do the job I trained you for and take him out.”
“And then?” Zane asked.
Suri sent out a shock wave of pain. “Then you and I will finish our business. Oh, and feel free to decapitate any demon traitors still with Kalin.” The screen went black.
Dage Kayrs grabbed his head, swore, and jumped to his feet. “What the hell just happened?”
Zane sighed. “Welcome to a true demon mind-fuck, King. That was Suri just playing around.”
Dage nodded to Talen, who was digging a pinkie into his ear. Probably checking for blood. “Get troops ready to go. It’s time we took out Kalin.”
Zane lifted an eyebrow. “This might be a trap.”
Dage sighed. “Trap or not, the risk is worth it if we capture Kalin. We need more information about the new version of Virus-27, and it’s time to take that bastard into custody.”
Zane shook his head. “You believe Suri’s Intel?”
“In connection with the Intel I received a half an hour ago from our shifter allies in northern California, yes.” Dage began striding toward the door.
Zane grabbed his arm. “We’re going with you.”
“Hell, no,” Talen muttered, striding toward his brother.
“Hell, yes,” Zane countered, standing toe-to-toe with the equivalent of a father-in-law in his world. “If demons have aligned themselves with Kalin, you’ll need shields. We’re the best there is.”
Talen glanced at Dage, his eyes flashing when Dage gave a short nod. “Fine, demon. But you’d better be as well trained as you think you are.” Shoving past them, Talen disappeared through the exit.
Dage clapped Zane on the back. “In Talen speak, that meantwelcome to the family.”
