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“Sorry, mate. We don’t always get what we want.”
Before Lort crumbled to the ground, Miller decapitated the disappointed vamp. Afterward, he glanced around for Galena. There she was, withdrawing her spear from a soldier’s gut. His dead waited patiently for a command, having finished off the rest of the Arisen Dawn vampires. He ordered them to return to their graves.
Before he could sheath his sword and take Galena into his arms, his D-chip signaled. He furrowed his brows. “I’ve been summoned, luv.”
****
Brak, leading a group of Firebrands who were once novices but now seasoned warriors, caught up with a small band of berserkers marauding through Stevensville, MT. On the main street, businesses were boarded. Likely, the citizens hunkered down behind locked doors and wood slats.
The berserkers were in a frenzy, still hyped by the lingering effects of their usual pre-battle ceremony. They had fed off enough fear to be well sated. Marching through the town, they pounded their shields, scaring the un-holy shit out of all who could see or hear. Their hair hung in grimy braids. Unwashed shifter pelts decorated their shoulders or heads. Water must have been scarce at Cerberus’s garrison because they were dirty bastards, their body odor alone capable of taking down an army.
Brak reminded his Firebrands the fight would be hand-to-hand since berserkers’ shields negated breed powers.
When his unit stepped into the open, the carnal demon warrior called out, “Hey, mutherfuckers. Want to pick on someone your own size?”
The leader, bull horns on his head, matted hair around his jaws, turned toward Brak. His ax pounded a steady rhythm on his shield while a crazed grin spread across his face, revealing a missing front tooth.
Brak rolled his shoulders. Drawing his butterfly swords, he charged, his huge body smashing into the berserker, sending him to the ground. While his warriors attacked, Brak plunged his blade into the leader’s chest. He followed up by whacking off the male’s ugly-ass head.
Flickering, Brak’s demon wanted free. It enjoyed the taste of flesh and blood, but the berserker shields prevented its release. The clawing of his beast against his skin hurt. Frustrated and in pain, Brak charged another asshole, overpowering the guy with his sheer bulk, slicing and dicing his way to one more win.
Once the berserkers were dead, their heads cut off to prevent any chance of recovery, humans slipped from hiding. They peeked out. Then they stuck a tentative foot onto a sidewalk. One by one, they creeped toward the street, approaching the Firebrands with a bit of caution.
A fearless citizen strode forward, his arm extended. Brak re-sheathed his blades before grasping the man’s hand.
The human pointed to the carnal demon’s Phoenix brand. “We were told your kind are our friends. Thanks.”
“No problem. Glad to assist.” The townspeople went around to each warrior, greeting them, showing lots of teeth while they uttered copious thank-yous. Brak took a call on his D-chip. “Harley’s been summoned by Roark. Where she goes, I go. Let’s boogie.”
****
Rein returned to the Covenkirk stronghold for a rest, having chased Arisen Dawn escapees across Northern California for fourteen hours. He showered off blood and guts before seeking his mate, wrapping both arms around her, needing to feel her safe against his body. He was surprised when she wiggled to be free. “Where do you think you’re going, Brae?”
“The portals are still down. Roark summoned the Blood Coven.”
Rein trailed her outside to the training field, determined not to let her out of his sight for days. Weeks. Hell, maybe years. They joined others gathered there.
Roark held court, a chalice in his grasp. He announced it was time to restore the portals and the Whorl.
Nico kissed Sabine before he stepped away. “Let’s get busy. A lot of bad shit out there needs to be cleaned up.”
Fin brushed fingers through her tight curls, smiling at Thorn. “I’m game.”
“What are we doing?” asked Miller.
Chiara held her palms out, urging the descendants to form a circle. Denim, Margo, Skyler, Celene, Jace, Harley, and Lizette joined Fin, Miller, Nico, and her.
Joined hand to hand with the others, Braelyn studied the coven. “We’re still missing a member. We have no one from the Cambion’s line. Can we do this?”
Roark, or Ohngel, his fiery wings a movie backdrop, approached. No more raven feathers for the guy. “Actually, you’re not short. Rein, step up to the plate. Join the descendants.”
The vampire mix pulled his brows tight when the immortal thrust the chalice into his grasp. “What the fuck are you talking about? Just say what’s going on. Stop with the cryptic shit. What’s this?” He stared at the scarred relic.
“It belonged to the Cambion. He used it in the Karmic Schism ceremony. Sentimentality on my part. I want it used again.”
“Yeah? What am I supposed to do with it? Have a beer?” asked Rein, getting a tad pissed off.
“The OneCreator foretold Cerberus would lead Aeternals to victory over humans. But he hinted the warlock could be killed by ‘kiss of kin and blade.’ Haven’t you read the prophecy?”
