Blood Assassin (The Sentinels #2)(112)

“Who are you and what do you want?” the norm demanded.

Fane briefly allowed his attention to shift to Serra, his gaze silently asking her if she could use her psychic abilities to disable her enemy.

Serra paused, allowing her mind to gently touch the female at her side. She had naturally stronger shields than most norms, and perhaps a trace of magic, which no doubt had attracted the attention of Jael, but she was no match for Serra’s powers.

She gave a discreet nod.

Fane stepped forward, deliberately holding the female’s attention as Serra prepared to attack.

“We’re here for Molly,” he said.

The woman’s breath hissed through her clenched teeth. “You work for Bas?”

Fane’s lips twisted at the implication he would work for the assassin.

“We are . . . reluctant allies,” he grudgingly admitted. “Give us the girl and we’ll leave. No one has to get hurt.”

The gun was pressed even harder against Serra’s temple. “You don’t get to give the orders here,” the woman said, her voice shrill. “This is how it’s going to happen. You turn around and leave. Once I know you’re off the property I’ll release your woman.”

His woman?

Serra rolled her eyes, continuing to probe at the edges of the female’s mind. Once she found the weakest point she would strike.

Fane shook his head. “I can kill you before you squeeze the trigger.”

“I don’t believe you,” the woman rasped. “Besides, there’s a spell around Molly. If you try to take her from the room she’ll die.”

Fane arched a brow. Obviously the woman didn’t realize that a guardian Sentinel was capable of breaking through all but the most lethal spells.

“I know it’s a cliché, but I’m going to give you to the count of five to release her.” Fane lifted a fist, straightening his index finger in a slow motion. “One.”

The woman made a sound of desperation. “You can’t get Molly.”

Another finger straightened. “Two.”

“Jael will kill you,” she stammered. “She’s a powerful witch.”

Another finger. “Three.”

“Wait, I . . . argg.”

The woman’s words turned into a shocked scream of pain as Serra released a psychic burst of power, slamming into the woman’s brain with enough force to shatter her consciousness.

With a heavy thud the female hit the ground, the gun skittering harmlessly across the wood floor.

Serra barely had time to catch her breath before strong arms were wrapped around her and she was being hauled against an unyielding chest.

“A little premature,” Fane growled in her ear, his voice not entirely steady. “I hadn’t reached five.”

It was a struggle to breathe as Fane’s arms tightened around her, but Serra didn’t protest.

She needed this moment as much as Fane.

“I always did have trouble with math,” she murmured, savoring the heat and strength that cocooned her in a sense of well-being.

When she was in this man’s arms, she would always feel safe.

“Will she survive?” he asked, running a comforting hand up and down her spine.

Reluctantly pulling away, Serra turned to send a dismissive glance toward the woman collapsed on the floor. She could sense a faint pulse, but it was erratic.

“Maybe,” she said, giving a shrug. The woman had worked with Jael to kidnap an innocent child. Serra didn’t give a shit what happened to her. “We have to get Molly.”

With a nod, Fane stepped over the woman and through the hidden door that remained open. Serra followed closely behind him, using her mind to sweep for any hidden guards.

She couldn’t detect another mind in the house, but she remained on guard.

There was always the off chance that there could be a guardian Sentinel like Fane in the area. They could slip beneath her psychic radar.

In front of her, Fane crossed directly toward the narrow bed where a tiny child slept beneath a pink blanket.

Her breath caught at the sight of her mussed mop of silver-blond curls that were spread across the pillowcase and the little rounded face.

God almighty.

Who could ever have threatened this sweet, innocent child?

Kneeling on the cheap carpeting, Fane held out his hand, his eyes closing as he tested the magic wrapped around the bed.

Serra took a cautious step forward. “Can you break the spell?” she asked softly.

“Yes.” Fane opened his eyes and glanced over his shoulder. “Make sure we’re not interrupted.”

“Yes, sir.” She rolled her eyes at his sharp command, but obediently moved to the door to keep watch on the hallway.

Minutes passed, then she heard Fane give a deep, shuddering sigh.

“Serra.”

Whirling around, Serra headed swiftly back to his side. Dammit. Had Jael left a trap that would somehow harm the child?

“Is something wrong?” she breathed.

“The spell is broken.” He nodded toward the stirring form beneath the blanket. “I think she’s about to awaken.”

Relief flooded through Serra as she perched on the edge of the mattress, offering a smile as the child opened her eyes that were the same startling shade of bronze as her father.