The Council (Darkness #5)(32)

“Are you sure, Blane?” I couldn’t help the wariness in my voice. I had no doubt that if someone was messing around with an honored guest, they’d do it out of sight, but heading to a place with no help wasn’t the brightest move.

“Just up here.” Blane breathed out through his mouth, a sign he was worked up. We turned a corner… into an empty hallway. Closed doors lined the dimly-lit hallway.

“Where?” I asked in a terrified whisper. Fear ran through me.

“Sorry, Sasha,” Blane said, slowing. He came to a stop, staring at me with deep brown eyes. “But I have to look out for number one.”

He took a step back as he glanced over my shoulder. “Did as you asked. Give me the money.”

I whirled, ready to fight the rush, only to come up against a block when I tried to access my magic. Three huge men stepped out of a room in quick steps. I turned to run. Blane’s fist barely glanced off of my cheek, making me flinch back. Pain blossomed, sight in my left eye going blurry.

Another three men ran down the hall behind Blane, straight at us.

“Where’s the money?” Blane yelled, reaching forward to grab for me. His huge hand wrapped around my upper arm. I ripped it to the side, scrabbling with that block on my magic. It was a link, a few marginal power levels joining together for more power.

“Right here—”

Blane pushed into me, his eyes widening in surprise. A wet gurgle sounded at the base of his throat. He coughed, blood splattering me and running down the side of his mouth. Someone else grabbed me as Blane fell away, a knife lodged in the back of his neck.

“What the hell?” I breathed in a terrified whisper, fumbling at that block with everything I had.

It wasn’t well constructed. One of these guys was probably the leader holding it, too, and judging by the flat eyes and clunky movements, they were hired help. Also familiar.

Two of them had been at the Council meeting. They were instructed to remove me.

I kicked out. My foot connected with testicles. I spun out of his grasp and jabbed at the next big thug of guy, my fist connecting with the man’s neck. The grip on my arm fell away as the man grabbed his throat.

I got two quick steps toward freedom before someone grabbed my hair and flung me back. I smashed against the wall. Small white lights danced in my vision as a body pushed against me.

“No!” I cried, struggling. Trying to push him off.

“Hold her.” I recognized that voice. My heart sank as two of the enormous men moved to the side, holding me between them.

Rudy walked up quickly. “Get her ready.”

“I have backing!” I screamed. They held my hands at my sides.

One of the men clutched my hair and jerked my head back. Exposing my neck. Rudy winked at me as he bent, his hands low on my hips. My skin crawled at his touch. I wiggled and thrashed, trying to get away. Trying to fight. Trying to get at my magic.

Stupid for not having it at my disposal. I needed to get better control so I could have it available all the time; so I wouldn’t be worried to be overcome, as Toa had said.

That thought process wasn’t helping me right now.

“This won’t work—it takes more than one time!” I seethed at Rudy through clenched teeth. “And I won’t drink yours.”

He licked the base of my neck just over my pulse. My groin tightened up in terror. My body shivering in disgust.

“My plans are failing around me,” Rudy breathed against my skin. “But if I want to head Andris off, we have no time to lose. We’ll exchange again on the way. Again when we get there.”

“Get where?” I yanked my head, trying to free it. Trying to keep fighting as a tear of panic dripped down my face.

His teeth cut into my neck, ripping a sob from my throat. His lips settled onto my skin.

“Are we late to the party?”

Rudy jerked back, traces of my blood on his lips. But he hadn’t drawn. Not yet.

One of the guys holding me flinched toward the voice, giving me a glimpse.

Jonas stood in the middle of the hallway, arms out wide, crazy eyes pinned to Rudy. Charles pushed around him, strolling down the hall, no humor or twinkle in his eyes. I could hear movement further down the hall, but couldn’t tell who it was.

“Two of you against six of mine? Is that right?” Rudy’s eyes went back to my neck. He pushed his groin against mine.

I couldn’t help the whimper.

“It’s not the number of fighters you should be concerned with, it’s which fighters.” Charles squared off to one of my captors, a viciousness I hadn’t seen before creeping into his eyes. “And we brought some animals, too. They don’t fight fair.”

A deep roar rent the hallway. The walls shook. The doors jiggled.

Tim.

A childlike cry followed right after, and then the growl of a wolf. Ann and John. I had no doubt three more wolves followed. Tim’s whole squad, less the dead man at my feet.

Rudy jerked toward the sounds, his eyes going wide for a brief moment. The block wobbled. He snatched me off the wall, his hands digging into my arms. To his men he yelled, “Kill them.”

Charles was already moving, sword spinning so fast I could barely see it. He deftly sliced, his blade cutting through flesh and bone, chopping the sword hand off of his opponent. As Rudy flung me down the hall, my vision jiggling, I saw Jonas lunge forward with a violent growl, grabbing the head of the nearest enemy and wrenching. A disgusting crack signified a broken neck.