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Darien’s scalp prickled.
They weren’t here for him.
“You were after her,” Darien growled. “Why? Can’t you see she’s in a fucking coma?”
The man choked, blood dribbling down his chin.
“Answer me, you piece of shit.” Darien grabbed him by the shirt, yanking him forward and shaking him. “Answer me!”
But he was already dead. His mouth fell open with a croak, one last line of blood dripping down his chin.
Hurried footsteps sounded in the hallway.
Darien shot to his feet, taking aim as he turned—
Travis, Malakai, and Jewels appeared in the doorway.
With wide eyes black with Venom, Malakai took in the wreckage of the room—and swore. “What the hell happened?”
Darien put the safety on the gun and tucked it away. “What does it look like?”
Travis, still panting from running, said, “The imperator’s still alive. We just saw him on the news.”
“That’s why we’re here,” Jewels explained, beads of sweat on her face. She was pale and winded, all thanks to the Tricking. “We thought we should warn you, but…looks like we’re a little late.”
“You should feel flattered that he felt the need to send eleven—wait, twelve guys?” Malakai gave a dark laugh as he finished counting the mutilated bodies.
Darien crossed the room and pushed his way through. Out the door, to the nurse’s station. The waiting area was destroyed, the desk in pieces. The vending machine was absolutely shredded, as if by claws, candy and leaking soda cans spread across the floor, puddles fizzing with carbonation.
He found the two nurses on shift, hiding behind what was left of the far wall behind the desk. They nearly screamed when they saw him.
“I need you to page Joyce Atlas,” Darien said. Her shift was supposed to start at Witching Hour; she should already be here.
They gaped at him, faces white.
Darien prompted, “You okay? Can you do that for me?”
The younger one recovered from her shock first. She got up on shaking legs and disappeared into a room in the back. A moment later, Darien heard the click of a landline being lifted off its receiver.
“Darien,” said a male voice.
Darien turned to find Malakai standing several feet away in the destruction of the waiting room. Behind him, Jewels and Travis stood in the doorway to Loren’s room. They spoke to each other in quiet tones, their eyes on Darien.
“What’s going on?” Malakai asked.
“I’m leaving,” Darien said. “Tonight.”
“Cops are coming,” Travis declared as he joined the others in Loren’s destroyed room, stepping over dead bodies and puddles of blood.
Doctor Joyce Atlas was here now. She sat on the side of the bed, filling a syringe with glowing teal liquid. She set the empty vial aside and administered the serum via a vein in the crease of Loren’s right arm.
Darien had filled Travis and the others in, his magic allowing them to talk without being heard. Roark Bright had stopped by several hours ago to tell Darien of the Caliginous Chambers, and he’d given Darien nine vials of serum from Lucent Enterprises. Travis hoped it would be enough to keep Loren alive while Darien got her from here to the chambers.
Travis focused on his cousin now, who spoke to Malakai.
“Tanner will be handling all the transactions, so there’s not much else you’ll need to do,” Darien was saying. “But I trust you’ll do a good job.”
“Pfft.” Malakai smiled. “I’ll do a better job than you.”
