Kick em in the balls! Brynley called from the front porch.
Marielle didnt know how to respond to that, but after seeing Connor close up and naked, she had a good idea what Brynley was referring to. It was her sixth night on Earth, about thirty minutes after sunset, and she was practicing her self-defense maneuvers in the clearing in front of the cabin.
It is an effective strategy, Connor said quietly beside her. If one of the Malcontents gets his hands on you, knee him in the groin. Then plunge the dagger through his heart.
She winced. She didnt want to tell Connor she had no intention of killing anyone. Could she make it through the night by simply defending herself with blasts of air? Somehow, she had to. How could she be welcomed back to heaven if she ended a life?
Can ye sense them yet? Connor asked.
She closed her eyes and reached out. Deaths in hospitals, deaths in traffic accidents, a few murders. No horrendous mass murder in a warehouse. No, not yet.
Connor patted her shoulder. Doona worry. Most likely, they are west of us and still in their death-sleep.
She nodded. Upon awakening, Connor had immediately downed a bottle of blood. Then hed started strapping on his weapons. A claymore on his back, a dagger in each sock, more knives and wooden stakes in his sporran along with an automatic pistol loaded with silver bullets.
Hed given her a belt to wear that had a leather sheath connected to it. The sheathed dagger was hidden underneath her hooded sweatshirt jacket.
Meanwhile, Vamps and shifters were gathering at Romatech. Angus had called and reported they were ready to move out. Sean Whelan had arrived, armed to the teeth.
While they waited for the sun to set over the Malcontents, Connor insisted Marielle practice. She was happy to stay busy. Otherwise, she would worry too much.
Take me with you! Brynley shouted for the third time.
Connor groaned. I told you, no. Yere no trained for battle.
Theres a full moon tonight, Brynley continued. I have to shift anyway. Phils going. And three of his boys from school. Carlos is even letting the tiger shifter go. Why cant I go, too?
Connor glared at her. Theyve been trained for battle. Ye havena.
I can take down an elk in sixty seconds!
I can only teleport one, and it has to be Marielle.
Then tell another Vamp to get his dead ass over here, so he can teleport me, Brynley snapped. If you let me go, Ill stay close to Marielle and help keep her safe.
That was obviously the right thing to say to Connor, for he pulled his cell phone out of his sporran and made a call.
Brynley, Marielle said. This isnt your fight. You dont have to
I want to. Brynley gave her a sad smile. You deserve all the help you can get.
Connor dropped the phone back into his sporran. Phineas is coming. Hell take you to Romatech to join up with the others.
Brynley nodded. Thank you.
Hello? a voice shouted from inside the cabin. Phineas peeked out the front door. There you are. He stepped out onto the porch. Like Connor, he had a sword strapped to his back. Around his hips, he wore a belt with a gun holster and several sheaths containing knives.
He looked Brynley over and smiled. So is it true that youll need to take off your clothes before shifting?
She jabbed him in the chest so hard, he stumbled back a step.
He rubbed his chest. What the hell was that?
Brynley glared at him. Thats the stake that a Malcontent puts through your heart while youre watching me strip, you moron.
Connor chuckled. She has a good point.
Yeah, yeah, Phineas muttered. Like I want to watch a perfectly good woman turn into a dog.
Brynley whipped back a hand to slap him, but Phineas caught her wrist. Im faster than you, wolfie-girl.
She narrowed her eyes. I have a nasty bite.
So do I. He pulled her into his arms and waved at Connor. See you later, dude. He vanished, taking Brynley with him.
That was . . . interesting, Marielle said.
Aye. Connor gathered her in his arms. Were alone now.
She embraced him, resting her head on his chest. She felt him rubbing his chin against her hair.
Marielle, Ive asked Emma to keep an eye on you. Yell be stationed outside the warehouse to catch anyone who escapes. Some of the newly turned vampires may try to run away. They willna have learned how to teleport yet.
I want to be with you.
He shook his head. Well be fighting hand-to-hand inside the warehouse. Yer blasting power wouldna be helpful there. Ye would be hitting our side as much as the Malcontents.
She swallowed hard. I hate to be separated from you.
Tis for the best. Yer job is to find the Malcontents.
After that, let us do our job.
She nodded.
He kissed her on the mouth, a long, fierce kiss that left her knees weak and her thoughts reeling. Was this a farewell kiss in case something happened to him?
Please, God! Please protect him!
He released her and removed his phone from his sporran. Try again. Can ye sense them now?
She closed her eyes and reached out. Deaths rolled past her. Death caused by illness. Death caused by accidents.
She stiffened. Memphis, Tennessee. Screams of sheer terror. Thirty people dying all at once. In a warehouse. I have it.
He quickly made the call. Angus, were going. Give us ten seconds. He dropped the phone in his sporran and grabbed her.
She felt a cold stab on her brow as he rushed inside her mind and pounced on the destination. Everything went black.
They landed on a dark street, dimly lit by a street lamp on each end. All the street lamps closer by had been broken. On the right, the street was lined with abandoned stores, the glass fronts smashed and partially boarded up. On the left, a giant warehouse loomed, the same one theyd seen on the news report.
There was no one in sight, but screams filled the air.
Dozens of Vamps materialized around them, using Connors tracking device as their beacon. Some came alone; others brought shifters or mortals with them. Marielle recognized Shannas father as he arrived with Roman. Sean Whelan pushed away and drew his weaponsa huge pistol and a long, sharp dagger. The Vamps unsheathed their swords.
Robby led a group silently around to the back of the warehouse.
Emma dashed up to Marielle. This way, she whispered. We have to guard the shifters.
Marielle gave Connor one last look as she was led away. May God bless you and keep you.
He nodded as if he had heard her, then turned to follow Angus into the warehouse.
Her blood ran cold at the sound of their tremendous war cry, followed by gunshots and the clashing of swords.
Hurry! Emma dragged her across the street where the shifters had gathered in an alley between two abandoned stores.
There could be Malcontent guards roaming the area, Emma told her. Ill watch the other end of this alley. You watch this one. Dont let anyone near till the shifters are ready.
Marielle caught a glimpse of the shifters stripping, then turned her back to stand guard. She shuddered as the sound of the battle in the warehouse grew even louder. Amid the din of gunfire and swords clashing, a scream rent the air. She winced. It had sounded so human. She hoped the mortals wouldnt die. Or the Vamps. Or Connor. Her heart constricted with a sharp pang. She couldnt bear to lose him.
Theres one! Get her! a man shouted at the end of the street.
She spotted two men just before they vanished. Malcontents. Before she could shout a warning, they reappeared right in front of her. They pounced, but she sent them flying backward so hard, they crashed into the warehouse.
Her hands shook, and her heart thundered in her ears. Good heavens, that had been close!
A tremendous roar sounded behind her.
She spun around. Ack! Her heart lurched.
A huge Kodiak bear was standing on its hind legs, growling at her. She stumbled to the side and bumped into a broken sidewalk curb.
The bear dropped down on all fours and dashed toward the warehouse, followed closely by four large wolves, and the largest panther and tiger shed ever seen.
The bear and panther attacked the two Malcontents shed thrown against the warehouse, ripping their heads off. The two vampires turned to dust.
Marielles stomach cringed. The shifters charged into the warehouse, and soon after, more screams pierced the air.
Good work. Emma patted Marielle on the back.
A lone wolf trotted to the other side of the alley and sat there on its haunches.
Brynley? Marielle whispered.
The wolf looked at her, then bared its teeth and growled.
Startled, Marielle stepped back.
Damn. Emma pulled a knife and threw it spinning through the air right past Marielle.
Marielle whirled around just in time to see the knife thud into a Malcontents heart and turn him to dust. The knife clattered onto the sidewalk.