Demons (Darkness #4)(48)

“How many do we need?” I asked, as close to calm as I could muster. With Stefan’s swirling emotions and swinging mood, one of us had to stay level.

This would be interesting.

“One of my guys is calling this a class three. That is one bad mamma-jamma, Sasha. I got thirty people, all changed, surrounding it. We got might. We need magic.”

I took a large breath. “We’ll be there as soon as we can. Call if something changes.”

“Yup.” The screen went black as the other line disengaged.

My gaze rose slowly until I met those liquid black eyes filled with uncertainty. We were approaching the moment of truth, and Stefan barely held the reigns of control.

“Jonas,” I said softly. “Go get Jameson. Start getting people ready. Stefan and I will be there in a minute.”

Jonas jumped up. “You got it, mage.”

Before he went through the door, I stopped him. “And Jonas?”

He turned and speared me with a haunted glance.

“Get the witches. We’ll keep them way back, but we could use someone I can sorta link with.”

Jonas nodded, shot a quick glance at Stefan, and then went through the door. Both men knew what I meant—someone I could link with in the event Stefan lost his nerve, shut down, and then unconsciously shut me out.

I faced the love of my life who was scared shitless for the third time ever. “I will be fine,” I said.

His gaze locked on mine. He didn’t acknowledge those words.

“Stefan, I will be fine. If we link, if you give me energy, I can knock that thing out. I know I can. I remember the strange spells from the warehouse, I know exactly how to cut out a Dulcha, I’m familiar with the intricacy of Andris’ recent spells—all I need is a bunch of energy and some time. I can do this. I’ll be safe.”

Still his gaze held mine, his jaw clenched, his hands fisted. On the edge, battling his personal demons so hard he could barely focus on the real demon ready to be unleashed.

“What happened to your parents will not happen to me,” I pushed softly. “This time, you will be there. You can help.”

“I can’t help if I’m taken from the fight, Sasha. We’ll need Toa. There’s still time to blood link with him. If we hurry, if we do it in the car, you can develop it. Or you can—”

I put a comforting hand on his bulging forearm. He clenched his jaw, fighting for control. Fighting the raging nightmare of his worst memory coming to life.

My heart went out to him, but I wouldn’t let that thought filter into my gaze. He didn’t need my compassion; he needed my strength.

“Okay. C’mon.” I hauled him up, refusing to feel the butt tingle. Or the knee tingle. Or the goosebumps. Oh yeah, danger was waiting. I was walking, wide-eyed, into a situation that might kill me. And I couldn’t even look terrified. Fan-freaking-tastic.

Outside the door we stalked, side-by-side, down the hall bustling with people. Stefan’s face was a stern mask, nothing of his warring emotions bleeding through his hard expression. As far as everyone else could see, he was ready and deadly, in charge as usual.

We entered the weapon room where I snatched my protective leathers and my dagger. Jameson strolled in, leather duster billowing out behind him. He had the same stern mask Stefan did, but his wasn’t as watertight. Cracks of fear and uncertainly flashed across his expression. “Boss, mage.”

I spared him a glance as I snatched my lucky whistle off its hook. “We’re going to make it through this just fine.”

He started, doing a double take, and honed in on me. It was hard to mistake the pleading in his hazel eyes. And then, slightly embarrassed, he nodded hastily and turned back to Stefan.

“Boss, I’ve got twenty strong here. I’ve got ten more I’m pulling in from the field. Then I’ve got a group of five magic users, all the best. I’ve also got some humans Jonas is claiming Sasha asked for on the way. I’ve notified the Regional. He is letting you and Sasha take lead.”

Stefan attached his dagger to his side. “Sasha and Toa will make up the chief source of magic to take the demon out. I will balance them, along with the witches. The magic users you collected will be a wall between the demon and them. The warriors will be the front line. We protect the magic users. If those animals turn tail and run, we protect our own.”

Jameson’s eyes hardened. “Who else do you want to link with, Sasha and Toa?”

Stefan slid into his vest, leather hugging his large upper body tightly. He shrugged into his leather duster. “They won’t need anyone else besides the witches. Probably couldn’t accept anyone else. Between the two of them … and myself, we’ll have a stack of magic and energy both. It should be enough. But…” I got a glance. “The mage has the final say on that.”

“You’re going to hang back with them?” Jameson asked in an almost-level tone.

A muscle in Stefan’s jaw throbbed as it clenched and unclenched. “I am the only one that can balance Sasha’s power. Without me, she cannot link with anyone.”

I tried not to notice the accusatory glance Jameson shot me. My heart sank. I was taking Stefan away from the fight, from his vengeance. From him making his past right.

I took another deep breath. This was no time for second-guessing. His presence would be more valuable on my end.