Instinct had Paxton looking up. “Sniper to the east,” he bellowed, partially turningto shield Hope.
The first bullet hit Collin square in the chest and threw him several feet back before two Kurjans ran around the stucco building, guns in their hands. They were almost seven feet tall, their black hair tipped with red, skin ghost pale, and lips bloodred. Once, they’d been unable to venture into sunlight, but they had evolved, and the day was overcast. These two wore black uniforms with silver designations ontheir breasts.
Liam took a bullet to the shoulder, dropped, and stumbled to his feet, already firing toward the two. Hope fired at the one on the left, and Paxton ducked and rolled, trying to come up in front of her. She nearly shothim in the ass.
“Get out of the way,” she yelled. “You’re not trained.”
He never should’ve let Liam bind him. “Release my hands now,” he snapped.
“Why, because your friends are here?” she hissed.
The twins fired again at the Kurjans, and the two in front of them went down. Another bullet pinged from high above. “Sniper still active,” Pax yelled. “Hugthe building.”
“They’re your people, aren’t they?” Hope pressed her backto the bricks.
“No, they’re not my people,” he said. “Undomy hands now.”
She rested her head back and took a deep breath. “No. Just let ushandle things.”
“There are more coming,” Liam said, plastering his wounded brother against the building. “How badare you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” Collin said, his face pale. Even though a bulletproof vest covered his wide chest, he’d been close enough to the laser that it would’ve hit hard and formed a strong enough metal disc that he probably had a couple of ribs broken. “Move,” he hissed.
Hope exhaled. “I’ll take lead.”
“The fuck you will,” Paxton said. “That’s it.” He dove on the ground, hitting his right shoulder and rolling in a perfect somersault to grab a knife out of the downed Kurjan’s boot. Quick motions had the zip ties sliced open and him standing, reaching for one of the unconscious soldier’s weapons. The farthest Kurjan started to stir, and Paxton kicked him square in the temple, making him flop down. “I’m on lead,” he growled.
“Oh, screw you.” Hope lifted her weapon.
He looked at her over his shoulder. “You shoot me again, baby, and you’re really goingto regret it.”
Fire lit her eyes, turning them a violet blue that didn’t exist in theordinary world.
“Are you kidding me? His hands are free.” Liam glared at Paxton and lifted his gun to aim. “He might figure out how to shoot that thing.”
“We need him for now. Let’s go,” his brother said through clenched teeth. Sweat dotted his brow, and healing vibrations cascaded from him.
“I know this city like the back of my hand,” Paxton said. “Hug the wall, and then we’re turning south.” They didn’t have any choice but to follow him—and he was just fine with that. Once he got them to safety, he’d have to figure out a way to gain his freedom. For now, he wasn’t going to let them die.
Until about ten minutes ago, they’d been his friends, his family. He led them easily through the labyrinth of narrow alleys, almost to where he’d heard Hope order transport to be waiting. His skin crawled, and he held up a hand. Thebreeze stopped.
Two Kurjan soldiers jumped down from the nearest roof ahead of him and two from the rear. He instantly went into battle mode, firing his gun and slashing with his knife, rushing them. A bullet hit his wrist, and the gun flew out of his hand. He dropped into hand-to-hand with the nearest soldier while Liam did the same. A quick pivot, and he slammed the knife into the soldier’s throat, slicing furiously until he freed the head from the body. Kurjan blood spurted across Paxton’s neck, instantly burning him.
Liam dispatched the other soldier, and the Kurjan’s head bumped across the rough cobblestones.
Pax could hear shots behind him where Hope no doubt fired, and hopefully Collin did as well.
The sound of breaking bones came from behind him. Okay, so Collin had dropped into hand-to-hand.
A series of darts struck Paxton’s neck. “What the hell?” He yanked several out and looked up in the direction from which they’d come. This was a kidnapping attempt? Shit. They wanted Hope.
“Darts,” Hope bellowed. “Everybody get againstthe building.”
The darts were coming from a sniper position high above, so Paxton instantly moved where she ordered. She must have seen the shooter.
Her eyes were wide on him, and she was cradling her arm, snow covering her side. Had she fallen? “When did you learn to fight?”
She hadn’t seen anything yet. “Your arm?” he growled.
