The schematics of the compound ran through his brain, as did the plan they had created on the flight there. With only six of them, they couldn’t leave anybody to guard the helicopters.
He ran between trees, his pack heavy on his back but not slowing him. Nothing could slow him. The sense that Grace was near and in danger fought with the certainty that she was all right. For now.
The mating mark pulsed and heated on his palm, demanding he go faster.
So he did, his brothers keeping pace, all silent and ready for battle. Today there would be no mercy. No vacillation on whether to kill or question to gain information.
The only goal was rescue. Whatever he had to do to save Grace and Benny, he would do. Quickly and instinctively. So when he came across the first guard patrol, three miles out from the perimeter, he sliced right across the first male’s neck without slowing his stride.
Garrett took care of the other.
The storm strengthened, golf-ball sized hail pummeling them as if Mother Nature wanted to help but couldn’t figure out where to aim. One chunk of ice hit him on the cheek, and he blinked, running even faster through a series of tall trees, their boughs heavy with ice and snow.
He reached out with his mind, searching for his mate.
Only a sputtering response came back. It wasn’t a surprise, considering they’d just mated. Telepathy took time. But his heart warmed, thumping harder, and he sensed her near. He couldfeelher.
So this was love. Ronan had been correct. It hurt more than he would’ve thought. His leg ached, but he banished the pain, moving even faster. There was no feeling, no indecision. Yeah, he loved her. The ah ha moment didn’t slow his stride.
He reached the snow-covered security fence and paused, ducking to look ahead. On the other side lay a wide cleared space that led to two metal buildings and the rest of the facility, which appeared to be log cabins. Anybody crossing the clearing would normally be visible, although the snow camo they wore would conceal them in the snow. At least for part of the way.
Logan crouched next to him, studying the nearly invisible wires. “Good security,” the young demon whispered. “The snow is coming down too thick for them to have detected us via land triggers, and any cameras will be covered with snow. They don’t know we’re here yet.”
Ronan and Garrett took point behind them, watching their backs for any movement.
Ivar crouched on Adare’s other side, withdrew his hands from the gloves, and set his pack on the snow. He drew out dark glasses that glowed a neon blue and leaned in to study the wires. His movements sure and economical, he reached in the pack for a box and leads to attach to the wires, and then keyed in several commands on the face of the box. “If we can disengage this without explosives, we’ll have a better chance of making it across that clearing.” Cold-weather warfare was the Viking’s specialty. A small beep came from the box.
Ronan put his back to Adare. “The second they know we’re here, they’ll call for backup from the main Cyst facility to the west. Remember to set your watches for ten minutes—that’s my guess on how long it’ll take for reinforcements to arrive.”
They’d be so far outnumbered at that point that it wouldn’t matter. “We can get it done in ten minutes,” Garrett said grimly.
Ivar removed the leads and replaced the provisions in his pack. “It’s disengaged. We go over and not through. All set.”
Adare didn’t wait. He stood and jumped straight up, tucking and rolling in the air before landing on the soft snow and sinking down on the other side.
Then he waited. Nothing happened. No sirens, no alarms.
His brothers followed suit, all landing near.
Ivar handed out goggles. “They’re set to detect land mines, but the snow might conceal the glow, so proceed carefully.”
Adare pulled his goggles over his head, tucked his gun at his waist, and dropped to his belly. The ice chilled his skin, and he ducked his head down, using his other senses to keep him heading forward. Any movement, any lifting of his head, might alert guards in the control room.
Only the wind and falling hail could be heard. His brothers moved as silently as he did. If he didn’t sense them, he wouldn’t have known they were there. Even the younger members, Garrett and Logan, had been exceptionally trained.
He’d never be able to thank them enough.
The closer he got to the buildings, the stronger he felt the pull of his mate, and the stronger he became.
Finally, he edged out of the snow and crab-walked to the first metal building, not surprised to find his brothers in step with him. He reached for explosives in his pack, setting them along the perimeter. These ones would work. “Let’s get in as far as we can before lighting up the world.”
Then he took a deep breath, stood, and turned the corner around the building.
A guard looked up, gasped, and lifted his weapon.
* * * *
Grace finished wrapping the napkin around her bleeding wrist, trying to send healing cells to the injury. Nothing happened. She really needed some time to figure out this immortal stuff. Still on her knees, she patted Benny’s face. “Ben? Wake up, now. I need your help.”
