The Council (Darkness #5)(40)

“Right! Go right!”

The shoving started again as the weak protective spell on the house flashed.

“What about those plane tickets?” I yelled back.

Muffles and explosions echoed through the walls. We passed the opening of a corridor that carried echoes of battle, someone shuffling toward us quickly.

“Regardless, we gotta get out of here. Ann! Ann!” Tim yelled into what I assumed was the phone. “We’re headed outside!”

“She’s still inside?” Charles and I yelled together.

I tried to stop, but damned Jonas kept shoving.

“Yeah, we’ll be right there. No, she’s in a car at the north end. I got a text earlier. Keep going!” Tim shoved Jonas and Charles, who in turn shoved me.

Sprinting now, following the wolves’ lead. When they hit a questionable spot, they broke up, scouting out and coming back; so much faster on four legs. Through the middle of the building we wound until we neared the exit and I tripped over something in the way.

Charles scooped me up in a bear-hug before I could hit the ground. I was shoved roughly against the wall and smothered by a hard back. Opposite, Jonas and Tim held a smaller creature against the wall.

“Please. Please don’t hurt me,” a man begged.

I punched Charles to get him out of the way and stepped forward, recognizing that voice. “Congratulations, Harry, you just got picked by Fate. Welcome aboard.”

I turned toward the wolves. “Bring him. They’ll just kill him inside. He’s too nice for his own good.”

“But my mistress. She’s fighting in there,” Harry pleaded.

“Stop talking like that, Harry.” We ran, Harry carried along with us. “And if she left you behind, she couldn’t have been that worried.”

“She was protecting me. She told me to hide until it’s over,” Harry sobbed.

“Jesus.” By the disgust in Jonas’ voice, I could tell he wanted to drop Harry. He did not like sniveling.

“Well, you’ll hide a little further away than she originally planned. But don’t worry, if any of us, or them, live through this, we’ll get you back to her.”

His whimper indicated I could’ve broken that to him a little easier than I did.

I blamed Cato for putting the thoughts in my head.

Chapter 11

A spell whizzed by Dominicous’ ear as he ran through the halls, trying to reconnect with Toa. He’d been sitting with Kallias, discussing plans, alliances, and the sudden interest in Sasha and Stefan Cato had taken, when news reached them of Andris’ and Trek’s escape from one of Kallias’ informants. They barely had time to speculate when the door splintered and three guys came barreling through.

Kallias was getting up in his years, soft and complacent—he hadn’t stood a chance against the behemoths that surged into the room, not even with his magic. Tessa, a quiet female with lethal sword-work, also backed by Kallias, stood over his lifeless body, smeared in blood, after she and Dominicous had dispatched the challenge.

There was no time for tears, though. Whoever had freed Andris had started a war, and they were cleaning out the good Council members to be replaced by the bad. Or not replaced at all. Wiping everyone out meant starting from scratch. It meant no leadership for their people. It meant their enemies had time, space and resources to chase after their expectations.

It meant the Europeans had a green light to move in and take over.

Dominicous had just landed in hell and he didn’t know who was a good guy, and who was bad.

He also had no idea where his daughter was.

He dodged the swing of a glimmering red axe waved by a human without magic. The color wasn’t from power. Dominicous’ sword swung, slicing through an arm—giving him time to slip by. He didn’t want to kill anyone until he knew more.

Breath coming out in even pants, he dodged a fist and ducked past an attack. A door swung inward as he raced past, someone in white robes rushing out with a gun and a sword. A second glance revealed Filacious raising his gun, aiming for Dominicous.

So, bad guy, then.

He slowed in time to heft a knife out of his belt. He threw it up, snatched it by the blade, aimed and threw in a few quick movements. The blade blossomed in Filacious’ neck. The gun clunked to the floor.

“Dominicous!”

Toa’s white head appeared down the hall, his arm waving an arc through the air. A large man stepped up to his side, knife held low, body bent.

“Look out!” Dominicous screamed.

The blade sparkled once as the dawn light from the windows caught it, before it stabbed towards Toa’s side. The breath caught in Dominicous’ throat… for no reason. A flick of Toa’s hand and the man flew back. Toa followed with a sword through his attacker’s gut. Feathery blond hair swished from Toa’s face as he once again faced Dominicous.

“You’re a pain in the ass, but I’d hate to lose you,” Dominicous breathed when he got closer.

“Yes, well. Where is Sasha?”

Dominicous spun toward someone with a leather vest and long curved blade. Mage Marius jogged to a stop in front of them. Blood spattered his face. “Have you seen Constance? I lost her in the lobby. It’s mayhem.”

“Yes. I saw her with Cato.” Toa glanced around to pinpoint his location. His head whipped north. “They were headed that way.”