Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(8)
He smiled, and so much threat lived in the expression that she stopped struggling.
The door burst open, and several soldiers ran inside. Guard soldiers.
Plasma flew from the first three, each shooting a different color of fire, all hitting Nick mid-chest. He dropped. The smell of burned fabric and flesh scorched the air.
Simone screamed. “Stop. By the power of the Coven Nine, stop the attack.”
The solder in front shook his head. “You don’t currently speak for the Nine.”
Nick slowly stood, his face a frightening white, his body smoldering.
Simone stared. Nobody, and that meant nobody, should’ve been able to stand after that attack. Nick had a strength that was unreal. “Stop,” she whispered.
He lowered his chin, no doubt starting a mind attack.
Five soldiers faced him, and fire flashed out, all different colors. Such fire would kill a non-witch. Simone reacted without thought, throwing herself in front of the injured demon. Fire and then pain detonated throughout her chest.
Nick caught her before she hit the floor, and the last thing she heard as the darkness claimed her was him bellowing her name.
Chapter 3
The blast he’d taken had short-circuited his nervous system, and he hadn’t been at a hundred percent before the hit. Nick kept his face stoic as he lifted Simone while baring his fangs. Several of the Guard soldiers took a step back.
A demon rarely let the fangs show, and the sight was supposed to be chill-inducing. However, he wasn’t strong enough to manage a mass mind attack, and they all probably knew it. “This is war,” he said softly, not missing the roll of fear through the air.
“So be it.” The lead soldier stepped to the side, tall and stoic. “Carry her to the transport, or I will.”
A low growl rumbled up from Nick’s chest. “You touch her, and your brain will never be the same.” He hadn’t cheated death for more than a century to lose her now. By her breathing, she was healing from the blasts, thank goodness.
The soldier didn’t blink. “Just take her to transport and get in. You’re under arrest for harboring a fugitive, or for fleeing with a fugitive, or for just pissing me off. I don’t give a shit. Right now, you’re coming with us whether you like it or not.”
Either the guy wanted everything taken care of in Ireland, or he was smart enough to know that Nick wasn’t letting Simone out of his sight. Good thing. Facing the Coven Nine held little appeal to Nick, especially since they’d most likely call for his death, but he couldn’t let Simone go alone. Somebody had done an exceptional job of setting her up. Though he would sacrifice for her, he had to protect his people, as well. He had to distance himself from Zane and the demon nation. “I’m working alone and not under Kyllwood authority.”
“I’m sure that’s how it’ll come down, whether or not it’s true,” the soldier sighed, gesturing again for the door. “Let’s go.”
Yeah, that’s probably exactly how it’d come down. The witches could take care of him without eliciting war from the demons . . . if Zane acted like a politician instead of a soldier or a friend. Unfortunately, Zane sucked at being a politician and was an incredibly loyal friend. At the moment, he was on a mission to save his younger brother from a kidnapper, so at least he was otherwise occupied and couldn’t be drawn into the disaster right away.
As if on cue, Nick’s phone buzzed. He freed his hand, dug it out from his back pocket, and glanced at the face. “I have to take this if you want to avoid immediate war.” God, he hoped Zane was all right.
The soldier huffed. “Make it fast.”
“Plan to.” Nick shifted most of Simone’s weight to his other arm before sliding the phone against his ear. “Zane?”
“Yeah. We’re good. Got my brother back, and he’s fine.”
Relief coursed through Nick, even though he was surrounded by armed soldiers. “Good to hear. Ah, I’m in a situation and am heading to Ireland for a bit.”
Silence ticked for a second. “Define situation.”
“Simone’s in trouble, and I’m just helping out. You need to lead the nation and excommunicate me.”
More silence . . . this one heavy. “The Guard must’ve found you, right? Where are you? I can be there in a second.”
Oh, hell no. Zane, like many demons, had the ability to teleport from one place to another, and he’d just done that at least twice to save Logan. Another jump would be unhealthy, as would facing down the many guards around Nick. “It doesn’t matter. Just trust me.”
“I do trust you, but you taught me that backup is a good thing. Plus, the Enforcers are here, and their job is to protect Simone.”
Nick closed his eyes and breathed before facing the guards again. Damn, he wished he had the ability to teleport, but not all demons could, and that was a sad fact of life. “That would tear the witch nation apart, and Simone would be furious. Stay there and do your job. I’ll do mine.”
“You sound funny. What’s happened? Did somebody attack you?” Zane’s voice rose, fury vibrating. “Have you been hit with plasma?”
“I’m fine, Mom.” Nick’s sarcastic tone failed since his voice cracked. Damn it. “Do your job, Kyllwood. You’ve worked too hard to get where you are and you need to let me handle this.” They both had sacrificed way too much. Hell. Nick wasn’t even sure he remembered how to be gentle, much less kind after the way he’d lived the last century. He clicked off just as Zane started in with an impressive tirade of threats. God, friends could be a pain in the ass sometimes.