With twin booms, the other two helicopters slammed into place and surrounded the demon stronghold.
Talen dropped to one knee, a large rocket launcher on his shoulder. “Fire.” A missile exploded forward and ripped into the front of the building, shooting bricks high into the sky.
Then everybody moved at once.
Gasping, her eyes tearing, Amber allowed Kane to lead her into hell.
CHAPTER 18
Smoke gave the night a surreal quality. The shouts from angry men came from what seemed a great distance. Particles of brick rained down, and it took several seconds for Amber to realize Kane was protecting her head. In fact, the vampire was protecting her, period. Shielding her with his body, he maneuvered gracefully around debris and two downed bodies in what had been a small room.
Downed demons.
They wore the same black uniforms as the two who had tried to kidnap her from the farm.
Dage dropped and jammed a knife into the closest demon’s neck.
Bile rose in Amber’s stomach and she turned away.
Pain crept along her cheekbones to pierce her lower eyelids, sliding directly for her brain. With a cry, she smoothed shields into place.
Calmness. Peace. Strength.
Kane stumbled and growled low. Blood trickled out his ears.
Amber grabbed his hand, trying to send strength to his mind. “Don’t fight the pain—go around it.”
He frowned and then his shoulders relaxed. Blood dripped from his nose. “That’s better. Seek your granny.”
Three demon solders rushed from a doorway to the left. Talen and Dage pounced on them, even while emitting growls of pain.
Kane tugged her toward the doorway while Oscar flanked her other side. “Keep shielding.”
She nodded, her heart flaring to beat against her ribs in a painful cadence. Seeking with her mind, she caught a faint whiff of something pure. Her grandma. “She’s here.”
Kane nodded. “Yeah, I can sense her. She’s not shielding—must know we’re here.” His gun in one hand, he grabbed Amber’s with his other and darted into the doorway.
A long tunnel wound directly into the rock.
“I was afraid of this.” Kane shook his head. “Stay behind me. The second you sense them, let me know.”
She gripped his hand tighter. An odd connection flowed beneath her skin and escaped where they touched. Her abilities might help him fight the mental pain. “Don’t let go.”
He frowned, glancing down. “Are you shielding my mind, too?”
“Maybe. But trying doesn’t hurt me or diminish my shield over my brain, so there’s no reason not to try.” Probably. Heck, maybe not. Her head was actually starting to ache a little bit.
He nodded and glanced over his shoulder. “I have lead. Flank her.”
Talen and Oscar both stepped up behind her.
Kane maneuvered around burning bricks, leading her carefully. “I sense two ahead.” He pushed her against the rock wall and released her. An instant grunt of pain came from him. Talen jumped to his side, and they both leapt forward into the darkness. The echo of flesh hitting flesh filled the tunnel along with grunts and the shattering sound of bones breaking.
Brutal images of war and death slammed into Amber’s brain. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. Settling her hands against the rough rock wall, she breathed deep and tried to shove the images away. Sharp spikes ripped the back of her eyelids. Digging deep, she eased air into her lungs, gently sliding the bad images away and replacing them with good images.
The pain receded.
She opened her eyes in time to see a demon stop short, his eyes going wide as he struggled as if the air held him back. Talen stood before him, one hand out. Talen jumped forward and stabbed the demon, taking him down to the ground. Seconds later, the demon’s head flew down the tunnel.
Talen pivoted and shot into the darkness.
Nausea settled in her stomach, and she had to take several deep swallows not to puke.
Kane reappeared, blood across his face and torso.
She gasped. “Talen made that guy stop moving.”
“Yes. Talen has a gift.” Grabbing her hand, Kane tugged her into the darkness. “Talen and Oscar are scouting ahead—I sense at least three more.”
Yeah, she sensed them, too. Threading her fingers through Kane’s, she concentrated on sending whatever power she had through their connection. They jogged deeper into the earth, and she kept to Kane’s back, following in his steps. While the darkness hid the ground, she didn’t falter.
Kane stopped, and she ran into his back. His hold tightened a fraction before he released her. A gentle push to her chest found her shoulders against the wall.
Strong lights snapped on.
Amber cried out, the sudden brightness attacking her eyes. She shut them, her knees trembling. The sound of metal hitting rock snapped them back open.
A demon swung a huge glinting sword at Kane’s head. Kane ducked and leapt sideways, climbing the rock wall to jump for the demon’s head. He hit hard and slammed the soldier into the rock.
Waves of pain instantly cascaded from the demon and smacked Amber between the eyes. Unbelievable images, truly horrific pictures of death and torture, filled her mind. A sharp spike of pain cut down the center of her brain. She cried out, her mouth remaining open even when it hurt too much to push out sound.
Kane grabbed his head and stumbled back.
No! Amber sucked in the smoky air and pushed against the pain. Her knees weakening, she slid to the ground. As her butt met the hard floor, she settled and gently slid the horror away. The pain followed.
Kane dropped to one knee, blood flowing from his nose.
The demon grinned sharp canines, sword raising high.
Pressing her shoulders against the wall, Amber sent harsh images of pain and death at the demon.
He paused, gaze roving to her. “Destroyer.”
She shoved harder.
His grin lacked any semblance of humor. “No.” His empty black eyes pierced into hers. Raw, brutal, and pure agony shot through her pupils right to her brain. She screamed, hands rising to ward off something she couldn’t touch.
With a furious battle cry, Kane leapt into the air, both hands grabbing the demon’s sword. He shoved the weapon sideways toward the demon’s throat.
The demon struggled, a hiss coming from his pale lips.
Kane kneed him in the gut. Once, twice, and then a third time as they struggled for the sword. Blood flowed out of Kane’s ears, nose, and even his eyes.
His shoulders went back, and he shoved the side of the blade into the demon’s mouth. Bellowing a shout of victory, he pressed in and cut the demon.
The demon cried out, falling against the wall.
Kane stepped back, swung the blade, and pivoted his entire body as he swished the sword through the demon’s neck. The head hit the ground with a thunderous clunk and then rolled into the darkness.
“Are you all right?” Kane wiped blood off his chin. His blood.
Nodding her head, Amber used the wall to reach her feet. “Yes.” She swayed. A roaring filled her ears.
Kane grabbed her elbow, and reality rushed back. Turning, he surveyed the tunnel.
Amber gasped at the crude door set into the rock several yards ahead now guarded by Oscar. Gentle vibrations came from the other side of the door. Hurrying after Kane, she tried to reach with her mind into the room. Nothing happened.
Kane set her behind him and kicked the door precisely at the lock. The door whipped open.
Amber shoved past him to find her grandmother calmly sitting on the floor. Next to her lay an unconscious demon soldier bleeding from his eyes and mouth.