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Hold on, Tony.
Zane wrapped his fingers around Jana’s. Help was coming—and help would be in the form of that Perseus bastard’s worst nightmare.
Chapter Eighteen
“How are we going to do this?” Jana asked. She’d changed into fresh, borrowed clothes, and then gotten ready to hunt. Her gut tightened as they approached the darkened shell that was Dusk.
Dusk. Well, dawn was actually breaking as they headed for the hollowed-out demon’s den, and dawn wasn’t a particularly good time when your backup consisted of a pair of vamps. Vamps were weaker during the day. Pretty much at human level. Since they were about to go up against some amped-up demons—yeah, stronger backup, or maybe actual dusk would have been better.
“We’re going in, and we’re kicking ass until we get our man back,” Dee replied, not looking real fazed by the fact that the sun had started to rise.
The male vamp, Simon, was at her side. Figured. From what Jana could tell, he always stayed pretty close to her. Tall, dark, and scary, he had done a major freak-out when the blonde was hurt. A freak-out that still had Jana’s head throbbing.
Her eyes narrowed. She’d owe him for that. And she always paid her debts.
“We don’t know how many are waiting inside.” Tension had tightened Zane’s muscles. They were three blocks away from the den. “So you two will be our distraction.”
The vamps nodded, but didn’t appear particularly happy.
“You go in the front, loud and strong, and we’ll take the back.” Zane pointed at Jude. “You go with us.”
The big shifter’s face was etched into tight lines of fury. “I can smell his blood from here.”
Oh, that couldn’t be good. Death’s already there. That was what the witch had said. The last thing Jana wanted to do was walk in Dusk and find the cop’s dead body. For a cop, Tony hadn’t been a bad guy. Not really bad at all.
The bees began to buzz in Jana’s head. She reached for Zane. “It hurts when you do that.”
He blinked, then glanced quickly at Dee and Jude. They both shrugged, each with No-I-Don’t-Know-What-the-Hell-She-Means expressions.
“They’re not human,” she muttered. “I am. When you amp up the power, I can feel it.”
His eyes widened. “Then you stay here. Because if we go in there, and I find Tony and he’s—” He shook his head. “You need to be far enough away that the blast doesn’t hit you.”
The blast? She shook her head. “No, you need me.”
“He’s got two vamps,” Simon reminded her. “And a shifter. I think we’ve got this covered.”
The vamp really wanted payback from her. She didn’t look away from Zane. “You need me.”
“I told you already,” he said, “I need you more than I’ve ever needed anyone.” He almost appeared sad for an instant. No, not sad. Something else she couldn’t quite name.
“So I hope you understand when you wake up,” he continued grimly, “I only did this to keep you safe.”
Then those bees swarmed in her mind. The green bled from Zane’s eyes, and the darkness she saw in his gaze seemed to reach out to her. She felt his arms catch her as she fell, and then—nothing.
* * *
“She’s going to be so pissed with you.” Dee shook her head and frowned down at Jana’s body. “And when that woman gets angry, she burns.” Pointedly, Dee waved her right hand.
He grunted. “I’d rather have her pissed than hurt.”
“So what? You’re just going to leave her here?” Dee asked, lips pulling down. “What if some of the other jerks out here find her?”
Good fucking point. He grunted and looked at Jude. “Keep her safe.”
“But you need me in there! You don’t know what’s waiting for you.”
“I need you to stay with Jana.” The shifter would understand. He might not like it, but he’d understand. Jude had his own lady that he’d die to protect. “I can track Tony. He’s human. I can send out a psychic wave and feel him once I’m inside.” He just had to get closer to make contact. “Jude, keep her safe.”
