Dorian heard the sound of car doors slamming outside, followed by heavy footfalls on the front porch.
“We’ve got two,” he said, as a new text buzzed in from Cole.
We’ll be there in 5 minutes, maybe 10. I can play this part all night, but you & Charles need to get the fuck outta there. NOW.
Dorian’s heart dropped. He would’ve loved to do just that.
If only a half-dozen drunk and disorderly Russians hadn’t just filed into the cabin. Their boisterous laughter and crass commentary assaulted his ears.
Demons. Every last one.
“Stay here,” he whispered urgently. “I’ll lead them back outside, then you can make a run for it. Text Aiden to meet—”
“Are you insane? You can’t take that many demons alone. They’ll fry you!”
Fuckinghell, she was right, and Dorian didn’t have time to argue.
Without another thought, he shoved Charlotte into the darkest corner of the basement, positioned himself in front of her, and sent Aiden a series of rapid-fire texts.
Trapped in basement.
Demons inbound.
Give me a distraction—lure them out.
And then, as the first demon stepped into the office overhead and shouted in Russian for his comrades, Dorian sent out his final plea.
15 seconds or you’ll need a bloody Hoover to get us home.
Chapter Nine
Charley had just enough time to suck in a shuddering breath before the night fucking exploded.
Literally.
It lit up the sky through the filthy basement windows, rattling the entire cabin. Upstairs, the demons scattered, shouting orders at one another, running from the back of the cabin to the front.
In the surrounding woods, fire crackled through the trees.
“Thank you, Aiden,” Dorian said, just as the demons returned to the office, undoubtedly heading right for the basement chamber.
A few feet above Charley’s head, one of the windows shattered. Dorian grabbed her and covered her with his body, shielding her from the raining glass as someone smashed out every last shard.
“A Hoover? Really?” Aiden leaned in through the opening and held out his hands, gesturing for Charley to grab hold. “Bloody dramatic, Dori. Even for you.”
“Get her out of here.” Dorian gave Charley a boost, launching her into Aiden’s awaiting embrace. “I’m right behind you.”
Aiden hauled her out through the opening and into the smoke-filled backyard. Still on her hands and knees, she turned around and peered through the window just in time to catch two demons charging down the stairs, heading right for her man.
Dorian and Charley locked eyes, his gaze full of fiery determination.
“Go!” he shouted.
She didn’t get the chance to refuse. She felt Aiden’s firm grip around her midsection, and then the ground tilted, spinning out from under her.
When the vertigo passed, she was standing with Aiden in front of Dorian’s BMW at the park.
Dorian was nowhere in sight.
