Page 47 of Rafe

“What the fuck now?” Massive claws sprung from Rafe’s fingers. He speared through a gelatinous creature, its guts spraying all over the room.

With a thud, more bags fell to the floor. “Yeah, this isn’t good.”

“This isn’t vampire shit.” Xavier’s eyes glowed red.

“We need fire, Kenji.”

“It’s too small in here for the dragon.”

“Xavier, you don’t happen to smoke?” Rafe kicked another bulbous head. Like snakes, they wriggled toward them, multiplying. “Does anyone see a lighter?”

Rafe crossed the room to a group of cabinets and swung open the drawers. The sound of metal utensils clanging together sounded as he rummaged through the cabinets. A swoosh above his head ended in a thud, a black jelly hand rolled into the sink.

“I could have been in California by now. I was gonna take a trip. Maybe go surfing.” Rafe jerked open another drawer and plastic straws spilled onto the floor. “But no. Hunter needs help. Kade needs help. Greyson lays on the guilt. And here I am. Fighting whatever the fuck this is.” A corner of his mouth tugged upward as he spied a metal cleaver and reached for it. With precision, he flung it across the room, halving another creature.

A red lighter spilled out of a cabinet. Rafe sighed, relieved as he’d finally found his prize. His thumb rolled over the ribbed metal and the flame flickered to life. “Propane. There.”

“You can’t blow up this place. There are humans,” Xavier warned.

“They’re multiplying. This room is made mostly of metal. It will hold. Besides, we don’t have much of a choice.”

Rafe looked up to the ceiling and pointed. “There. See?”

“Yeah?”

“The alarm will alert them. It’s time to cook.”

Kenji kicked at a gelatinous arm crawling to his foot and tossed the propane tank to Rafe. “Do it. Now.”

Rafe caught it and flicked the lighter, shooting a stream of fire onto the floor. The stench of sulfur blasted through the air; black, oily figures writhed, on fire yet still wriggling. The fire alarm blared.

“What the fuck are these things?” Rafe pointed the torch at another slimy arm reaching for his ankle.

“Vir serpentis non mortuus,” a familiar voice called to him.

“Thorn?” Rafe whipped his head around, his pulse racing as the tall debonair demon came into view. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Dressed in a hot pink suit and silk shirt, the demon wore a cool smile as he extended his hand, fire dancing in his palm. “Happy to see me?”

“You gonna stand there and talk or help? What the fuck are these things?”

“Vir serpentis non mortuus. An undead snake man, if you will. Someone’s been playing with magick.”

“Why aren’t they dying?” Kenji sliced a creature as it clung to the ceiling above him.

“Sometimes you’ve gotta fight hell with hell.” Thorn rubbed his hands together.

“Greyson’s gonna freak when he sees you here.” Rafe shot another stream of fire onto the creatures and the gelatinous snakes dissipated into dust. He looked to the remaining snakes which appeared to regenerate before his eyes. “I could use a little help here, demon.”

“This is going to be fun.” Thorn grunted as he released fire from his palms.

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Rafe inhaled the sulfur infused smoke and swept fire across the creatures, leaving ash in its wake.

Greyson materialized behind him. “Okay, I’m here. I’m here. Let’s go.”

“Where have you been? Where’s Skylar?” Rafe yelled at him.

“You go. I’ve got this,” Thorn called to Rafe.