“You see how many with him?” Grayson asked after he hung up.
“I spotted two that were trying to stay out of sight in the house. Then the two that took us. Plus Samir. The house is a two-story.” Malik’s voice almost broke. “So far, I just know of two powers. Samir can trap you inside your own body. One of the demons who snatched us has lightning.”
Being trapped at that table, unable to move, had been Malik’s worst nightmare. He’d been so proud of Indy for his bravery, but in the end, Samir had won.
For now.
“If we pay, he won’t let Indy go.” Grayson said as he slid on his boots.
“I already came to that conclusion.” His cheetah was fighting to get back to Indy, to rip Samir apart. So was Malik, but he couldn’t do this on his own.
“How’s Samir armed?” Colton asked.
“He’s not. But the others might be.”
Grayson narrowed his eyes. “We’ll need a ride into the realm.”
No one argued. Malik’s hands shook. He pictured Indy sitting at that demon’s table, the bastard’s eyes on him, the smug smile. Malik would tear off his own arm before letting Samir keep his mate.
Better yet, he would tear off Samir’s.
Grayson cut the lights, plunging the living room into darkness. Malik thought about earlier, how the demons had done the same.
“Hondo!” Grayson shouted as his phone dinged. “Zeppelin said his men are already watching the house.”
A set of eyes appeared in the dark, flames flickering in the irises. Then Hondo emerged, tall and muscular, with short black hair and irises the color of ox-blood once the flames had died out.
“I really wish people would summon one of the other warriors,” Hondo groused, “I was in the middle of…something with my mate.”
“Habit.” Grayson shrugged. “Mind giving us a lift? Got demons to kill and a mate to bring home.”
“Samir, Kenzo, and Anakin,” Malik said. “Know them?”
“Those bastards,” Hondo huffed. “They’ve got miles of boundary issues. Touch my arm, boys.”
They stepped forward with the warrior, swallowed by the shadows.
Malik really hated this way of traveling. He always felt like he was gonna puke his guts out.
The world dropped away. They landed on a dead-quiet side street close to their target.
“Good luck.” Hondo slapped Malik’s hand like he was about to shake it, only Malik felt something in his palm. The look in the demon’s eye said to keep his mouth shut. Malik gave a subtle nod, even though he wanted to look. Instead, he shoved his hand into his pocket, depositing whatever it was. The object almost felt like a coin or medallion.
Hondo threw up a peace sign before he disappeared, but Malik barely noticed. His focus was already locked on the house with green trim and neat flower beds.
The team used hand signals as they closed in, sticking to the shadows. Colton pointed right. Reese angled left. Grayson kept his gaze on the front door.
The porch was empty, but four were inside. They showed up as silhouettes moving past windows. Where was Indy? He watched every window but didn’t see his mate.
It gnawed at him. He’d told himself he could protect his mate, that even if he made mistakes, he’d keep Indy safe. He’d blown that. If he failed his little fox again, he’d never forgive himself.
Grayson took charge. A quick hand motion sent Colton and Reese circling the house. Malik followed Grayson to the front.
Another signal. Everyone ready.
Malik wanted nothing more than to get Indy out of that place. He was ready to rip the house down if that’s what it took.
Grayson nodded.
