Caleb coughed blood. “Jase.”
Talen and Conn stepped forward as one, concern for their youngest brother obvious. “Where is he?”
“Demons.” Caleb fell to the ground.
Kellach swayed, blood pouring from his hairline and down his face. “I’m sorry.” Then he dropped out of range.
Jordan tried to stamp his temper down. Harsh breathing filled the control room around him. The men stared at the stone wall in the screen, and nobody moved.
Finally, an angry female voice echoed. “What the hell are they doing in here? Get them back to the infirmary, now.”
Rioting red curls and sparking green eyes came into view. Moira Kayrs, Conn’s petite mate and tough witch, took a deep breath. “The demons attacked a settlement outside of Durness in Scotland where Caleb, Kell, and Jase were providing support. We heard of the attack and arrived in time for these two, but Jase was gone. We’re going after him in an hour.”
“The fuck you are.” Conn stepped toward the screen. “Stay where you are until I arrive.”
Moira shook her head. “They hurt an enforcer, Conn. I’m an enforcer, too, as you well know.” She straightened her shoulders. “Have your people had any luck in finding a demon destroyer? Or five?”
Conn stepped closer to the camera. “No. My guess is they’ve all died out. The demons probably took care of anybody who could combat their mind games years ago.”
Moira bit her lip. “That doesn’t work with my idea of the world. There has to be an enhanced human somewhere who can beat the demons.”
Jordan had had his people searching the globe for a demon destroyer since the damn demons had entered the war. Enhanced females lived on earth with psychic, empathic, and other abilities ... women who could mate with immortals. One such group could actually mind battle demons. While he wished a person existed who could counter the demons’ cruelty, he was with Conn. The demons had taken them all out.
Moira sighed, turning her attention to Dage. “Ah, king. I guess I should give you the rest of the bad news.”
“Which is?” Dage’s tone remained even, but a sense of raw power cascaded off him.
“We just had our first confirmation of a Virus-27 infection in a witch. Female.” Irritation pursed Moira’s lips. “Conn, stop that growling.” She nodded to someone off-camera. “Apparently only vampires and demons with their extra chromosomes are safe from this bugger.”
Dage shook his head. “I figured since there hasn’t been an infection in your people in ten years, you were safe.”
Green power began to dance along Moira’s exposed skin. “We’ve kept very strong protocols in place—anyone who has followed them has remained safe. This woman, girl really, didn’t follow them. Somehow the Kurjans gained access to infect her. I’ll find out how.” Sorrow filled her eyes. “For now, I’ll go find your brother.”
“Dailtín”—Conn’s voice dropped to pure warning—“what is the constant reality we live by?”
Moira frowned, and then her green eyes warmed. “I do love it when you call me ‘brat.’ ” She sighed. “The world starts with the two of us ... and spirals out.” A pretty grin lit her face. “We’re a pair, Conn.”
He nodded. “So you’ll wait for me before heading into battle.”
She lifted her chin, the grin widening. “Then you’d better hurry, mate.” The screen went blank.
Dage yanked a gun out of his waist to toss on the table. Two knives followed. “Conn, I’ll teleport you to Moira right now. Talen, you take the jet—go directly to Durness.” He focused on Kane.
Kane settled his stance. “I’m going. Emma can handle the lab work here—there isn’t anything else I can do.”
Dage frowned.
“I’m going. I’ll sense him before any of you do—as you well know.” Kane’s voice stayed calm, but a hard core of determination echoed in the tone.
Jordan scratched his head. Most vampires had special powers, and he’d never wondered about Kane. Being the smartest person on the planet seemed special enough. Guess not. There was more to the scientist than he’d figured.
Dage nodded. “Fine. You go with Talen on the jet. Max, you’re in charge until I get back.” He turned toward Jordan. “I need you to protect headquarters and keep from turning into a werewolf.”
“I’ll do my best.” Jordan lifted an eyebrow at Max.
The massive vampire crossed his arms and nodded, his light brown eyes somber. He’d kill Jordan if necessary.
A chill swept down Jordan’s spine. Hopefully the protector would make sure Jordan was actually a werewolf before beheading him. “I’ll send for backup. We have soldiers we can call on.”
“Good.” Conn cleared his throat. “Jordan—”
“Me, too.” Jordan nodded. The right words to say good-bye to a lifelong friend didn’t truly exist. “Go. I’ll be here when you get back.”
“I know.” Emotion shot silver through Conn’s green eyes.
Dage reached for Conn. “Let’s go.” The two disappeared.
Kane retrieved the discarded weapons. “We need to hurry. Transporting Conn will seriously weaken Dage.”
Talen nodded and clapped Jordan on the back. “Good luck.”
“You, too.” God, he hoped they found Jase. The idea of the fun-loving brother being tortured by demons made Jordan’s head pound. And he hoped he’d beat the moon and see his friend again. Something told him it wasn’t going to be that easy.
Chapter 17
At yet another Kurjan encampment miles south of the last one, Kalin leaned against a pine tree and out of the rain. Night had arrived quietly. Clouds filled the sky, so the werewolves were easier to handle. Even so, they tilted their heads up, wailing softly as if they knew the celestial light hid out of reach.
Except for Jack.
Jack sat on a fallen tree, his legs extended, the rain matting his fur. He kept his yellow gaze on the trees to the north, ears up.
Interesting. Intense focus had ridden the werewolf all day. Well, from Kalin’s vantage point in the secure building, it had seemed Jack had been preoccupied. When was Kalin’s uncle going to find the cure for sunlight? He was so tired of living in darkness.
Though he and Roy had found some fun before dawn. A group of women they’d stalked and terrorized through a town to the east. Unfortunately, the sun had begun to rise, so they had to end the game and head home.
He kept his gaze on the creature, welcoming the cold bite of wind carrying rain.
Jack sprang to his feet. Hair bristled all down his back. Emitting a growl, he took a step toward a stand of silent Douglas firs.
Kalin settled his hand around the top of the electric prod. Movement filtered through the thick trees. He sidled away from the pine, searching the recesses of the forest.
A werewolf limped into the clearing. Broad across the chest, taller than Jack, the brute bled from his neck and shoulder. His yellow eyes took in the werewolves on the ground, Jack, and finally Kalin.
Jack growled, muscles bunching.
“Stop.” Kalin sidled into the wet brush, keeping Jack between him and the newcomer. Rain smashed into his face. “Fall in!”
The werewolves scrambled into position behind Jack. After years of torture, starvation, and rewards, the beasts had finally learned the score. They deserved to have some fun. Kalin waited for the new werewolf to attack.
Yet the monster kept his gaze on Kalin. The werewolf angled his head to the side, sniffing the air. “Kurrrrjaaaaan.”
Kalin froze. He exhaled. “Say that again.”
The animal curled its upper lip. “Kurrrrjaaaaan. You. Kurrrrjaaaaan.”
So, this was new. Kalin rubbed his chin. “Yes. Apparently you can speak.” Made sense. Jack had evolved in the short time Kalin had been training him. Evolution included speech. The new creature must’ve been infected years ago. “You have a name?”