The helicopters stayed low and under the radar, even with a blustering wind whipping around as dusk fell. Rain slashed down into the forest as the helicopters hovered above a small clearing, and a small contingent of soldiers dropped from air to land in a graceful dance. Zane leaped down to the muddy ground next to Talen, pain ricocheting up his legs from the impact. The chilly wind bit into his face. “The humans will notice if we cause too much damage,” Zane said.
“Got it covered.” Talen ducked low and headed into a dense thicket of dripping trees.
Zane followed, keeping Sam and Nick in his peripheral vision. He’d make sure they returned home. The mantle of responsibility always choking him tightened its hold, more oppressive since declaring his intention of taking over the demon nation. In addition, Zane wouldn’t let Janie’s father die on his watch.
Talen turned. “Stay on my six. I can’t let you die.”
“Back at you.” Zane leaned against the trunk of a cedar tree while the scents of rain, mud, and wet pine filled his nostrils. “How is thiscovered?”
“Allies in the USA military.” Talen signaled a group of soldiers to the west.
Zane glanced back toward the meadow where the helicopters continued to hover full of soldiers. “Why aren’t they dropping?”
Talen kept his gaze forward. “They will. For now, keep your head in the game, and get ready to go in.”
Zane cocked his gun, his gaze on a temporary camp of rough cabins and tents littering the forest. “Why didn’t we take them during daylight while they’re trapped inside?” It was time to use the Kurjans’ aversion to sun as a tactical advantage.
Talen shook his head. “Kalin always has an underground escape route, and the cabins are usually booby trapped. Better to draw them out and kick their asses.” He shot Zane a hard look. “As much as I hate it, we take Kalin alive if possible. We need to know more about the new version of Virus-27.”
“Understood.” Zane nodded at his brother to stay close, and then closed his eyes to take stock of mental vibrations. “If there are demons present, they’re shielding well.”
“Is that possible?” Talen asked.
Zane opened his eyes. “Yes, but I should be able to sense something. Maybe once we go in, I’ll be able to tell you how many demons, if any, are here.”
Talen hand-signaled to nearby soldiers. A soldier fired a missile into the middle of the camp.
Without warning, the entire forest detonated all around them, land mines and explosives igniting. Trees all around them burst into flame, and fire roared.
“Get down!” Zane yelled, tackling Talen to the ground. Damn Suri had invited him to his own death. Lying piece of demon dung. “It’s a trap,” he muttered.
“No shit.” Talen rolled them over and shoved them both up on their feet. “Run and follow my pattern so you keep your legs.” He turned and began to run through the forest toward two just landed copters. Land mines exploded all around them.
Zane ran, his back warmed by fire, his temper heated by rage. What in the hell? How did Talen know where to run?Wait a goddamn minute.
As they jumped inside the transport, the helicopter quickly rose into the air. Zane took a moment to make sure Nick and Sam had made it safely to the other helicopter before rounding on Talen. “You fucking ass-wad son-of-a-bastard fucking bitch.” Zane’s right-cross knocked Talen’s head against the metal side with a satisfying thunk.
Green sizzled through Talen’s golden eyes, and he slowly wiped blood off his chin. “That was a freebie, demon.”
“Fuck.” Zane shoved his bulk onto a seat and ran a rough hand through his hair. “You knew it was a trap.”
The king turned around from the front seat. “Of course it was a trap. Suri wants you and me dead a lot more than he needs Kalin gone. Think about it.”
Zane’s hands shook with the need to hit Talen again. “You set this up totest me? The full contingent of soldiers, all of the helicopters?”
Talen lifted a massive shoulder. “We had to know we could trust you.”
Oh, Zane just might throw the asshole out of the helicopter. The bastard would probably bounce on the ground and then laugh. “So I passed?”
“Well, you didn’t fail.” Talen crossed his arms.
Asshole. “How did you know the placements of the land mines?” Zane asked.
“Infrared and some damn good satellite technology.” Dage turned back toward the billowing storm outside the window.
Zane shook his head. “Still. Suiting up so many soldiers for one test is crazy.”
Talen’s grin flashed hard and dangerous. “Who said we suited up for just a test? Now, we fight.”
