Chapter 24
The cliffs of Baffin Island rose from the depths of a cold and merciless sea as the sky began to lighten outside. The Kurjan headquarters for so many years. Zane had spent the journey to Canada deciding to refrain from killing Talen and Dage for the dangerous test in California. Trust had to be earned, and he couldn’t blame them too much. Plus, if he killed Janie’s family, she’d be seriously pissed.
So the vampires lived for now.
He glanced down. “Our only chance is a full out assault.”
“Then get ready for full out,” Talen said. “I’m done playing with the Kurjans, and it’s time we took Kalin.”
Dage nodded and tapped an ear communicator. “Orders remain at level ten. Kill on sight any Kurjan except for Kalin, who’s to be taken alive. His second in command, his cousin Dayne, is also to be taken if possible. Leave Kurjan mates alone unless you need to defend yourselves. Even then, kill as a last resort.”
“What’s the Intel on personnel here?” Zane asked, sliding open the door. Wind rushed him, and he steadied his legs.
“Armed and protected, but Kurjan soldiers are spread around the world fighting right now, just like us,” Talen said, strapping another knife to his hip. He tapped his ear. “Fire.”
Two helicopters shot missiles into the cliffs, and rocks exploded out in a glorious display of flames and shooting stones.
“Now,” Talen ordered.
Zane jumped from the helicopter and hit hard rock. Heat blasted into him from the fires. All feeling, all sensation, he shoved into nowhere to deal with later. Now was for war. He pointed to an opening blown into the rock. “We go there.”
Talen nodded and signaled for troops. “The soldiers dropped into the sea should be at destination.” He paused and put a hand on Zane’s shoulder as soldiers dropped to the ground all around them. “You’ve been in combat before?”
Humor tickled Zane’s lips, but he remained stoic. “For a decade.”
“A whole decade?” Talen asked, sarcasm evident in the low tone.
“Not all of us are ancient,” Zane returned, adrenaline flooding his veins. His body hadn’t recuperated fully, but his mind was ready to go. “I can fight. Don’t worry.”
Talen cocked his weapon. “Just don’t die.” He whistled and gave an attack signal before turning to run full bore for the opening.
“Don’t plan on it,” Zane said, ducking low to follow. Before they reached the opening, Kurjan soldiers poured out, already firing. Zane dropped and rolled, returning fire and nailing one soldier in the neck. He jumped up and ran forward, tackling a soldier off Talen. The soldier punched Zane in the face, and he hit back, reaching for his knife.
The Kurjan shoved up with a blade, neatly slicing Zane’s vest.
Zane plunged his weapon down, severing the Kurjan’s carotid artery before decapitating the soldier. A Degoller Star whizzed by his head and stuck into Talen’s back.
With a roar, Zane lunged up and threw his knife end-over-end into the eye of the Kurjan who’d thrown the star. Fucking Degoller Stars. Zane rushed toward Talen to reach gingerly for the razor-sharp weapon. “So much for the treaty banning these.” Zane withdrew the deadly star, which made a squishing noise as Talen’s flesh released it.
Talen tapped his ear as hell reigned around them. “Watch your necks. Degoller Stars being deployed.”
A series of muttered curses emerged through the ear devices.
Talen rolled his shoulders.
“Your vest protected you mainly.” Zane tucked the star into his back pocket. “Although there’s blood on it.”
“It cut my shoulder blade, not bad enough to worry about.” Talen lifted his chin. “Let’s go in.”
All around them, vampires and Kurjans fought hand to hand with an occasional shot fired. The sky opened up to rain down on the smoky, fiery landscape, making visibility difficult. Zane caught Nick and Sam fighting over on the perimeter. Good. They’d cover each other. He nodded at Talen. “Let’s go.”
Together, they fought their way to the entrance into the rocks, protecting each other’s backs like they’d fought together for centuries. Zane took a Kurjan down to the ground, and another white-faced monster jumped through the smoke to stab Zane in the leg. Talen had the soldier face down in the mud and headless within seconds.
Zane finished off his opponent.
Talen reached down and yanked out the knife from Zane’s thigh. “That might hurt.”
Agony rippled through Zane’s leg, and he shoved to his feet. “Didn’t feel a thing.”
