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“There he is! The cold, unfeeling hunter we all know and love. Keep that energy, you’re gonna need it.” Kai leans the seat back.

I glance at him, but I don’t respond. I focus on the road as the sun begins to dip below the horizon. The low humming of the engine begins to remind me of the whispers as they begin to get louder, echoing in my head. I clench the steering wheel until my palms begin to burn. Kai chooses that moment to turn the radio up, pulling me from the haze.

“We’re here,” I say quietly.

I stop on the side of the road and we get out of the truck. We’re only about a quarter of a mile away from the location; this will give us enough distance to assess the area. Jack and Alok park behind us and walk over to us.

“Why are we in the middle of nowhere?” Alok asks.

Kai raises his brow at Alok as I respond. “We need the cover. We’re about point four klicks from the target. They’re going to have security so we can’t just walk up to the front door.”

“I can,” Alok says smugly.

Jack rolls his eyes. “I’ve already hacked into their systems.” He walks over to his truck, pulling out his bag and grabbing his laptop. “You should contact Ben. Maybe he can create a distraction.”

“We’re his distraction now apparently. He better not be fucking dead.” My voice is low.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial the number; it rings with no answer. I try again. Nothing.

“No answer?” Jack asks, concern lacing his tone. “Do you have another way to contact him?”

“No. We need to proceed.” I look over to Alok. “He said they’re keeping Calli in the basement. You’re going to find her and get her out, if she’s still there. Bring her back to the truck so Jack can take her home.”

“I’ll stay here and keep in contact with you; don’t fucking die,” Jack says, pulling more of his things out of his bag.

“Don’t worry, I’ll never die on you, princess.” Alok hugs Jack.

“Don’t touch me,” Jack says, his voice flat, as he extends his arm to shove Alok away.

“Wait, why is he getting Calli?” Kai says in protest.

“You stay with me.” I look to Kai. “We need to take out as much of their security as possible, then we’re going after Rosa.”

“Question stands; I prefer to switch jobs,” Kai retorts.

“Alok is faster and you’re the last thing they would be expecting. And as the last resort, I may need their God,” I say, walking up to him. “This mess is because of you. You’re going to fix it.”

He looks down at me with a twisted expression on his face before he softens.

“Fine. Let’s go kill some shit.”

CHAPTER 35 CALLI

I sit at the table with my mother and father eating dinner. I avoid eye contact with them as the silence stretches. I haven’t seen my big brother in days; I wonder what he was trying to tell me in my room that day.

“Cade is coming back from his mission today, correct?” my mother asks.

“Yes, it was successful,” Father responds, still chewing his food.

“So he has been compliant?”

“Surprisingly, yes, seems he is finally seeing things our way since the ritual the other night.”

“I find that quite hard to believe.” My mother stands, taking her plate to the sink.

Maybe Cade changed his mind; he seemed so angry and scared when he cut off my collar. I rub the spot where the leather left a friction burn.

“Don’t get used to that, I will be getting you a new one soon, child,” Father says.