Page 51

“Protect Adam.” Victor flung open the door and plunged into a hail of bullets.

Zee shoved me to arm’s length. He tugged my shirt up and found where the round had grazed me. “You’re bleeding. Oh, baby. Fuck that dog. And this stupid-ass tech tower.”

“It’s just a scratch.” I pulled my shirt back down. I’d heal quickly enough. “We need to get out of here.”

The robot dog flew past the open door followed by a blur of vampire and crashing sounds.

“Let’s go while Daddy Vampire’s keeping it busy.” Zee grabbed my hand and pulled me into the corridor behind him. “He’ll catch up.”

We bolted away from the painful, metal-scraping-metal sounds, skidded around the corner, and shot toward the room with the portal. Once back through it, we’d be safe. I glanced behind us but didn’t see Victor, or the dog. Just flickering red lights.

“When we reach it, just push through the portal, Adam,” Zee said soberly. “Hold your breath. It doesn’t last long, and—” Zee flung open the storage room door. We plunged in.

And skidded to a stop.

The portal had gone.

“Fuck. This is the right room?” he asked.

“Yeah.” No portal. No way out. “Oh dear.”

A ringing alarm sounded. Flashing lights and sirens were probably a bad sign.

A blur rushed into the room behind us, then solidified into Victor. He blinked at the space where the portal had been. “Ah. Yes. I feared this might happen.”

“Then fucking unhappen it,” Zee snarled.

“I’ve instigated a domino effect within the building’s systems that will cut off its vital services one by one. Whatever power source had been keeping the portal open has shut down. This building is in its death throes, but like any dying creature it will lash out. Our situation has become a great deal more precarious than it was moments ago.”

“Ya think?” Zee’s tail whipped his fury. “You are the worst vampire sidekick ever.”

Victor snarled. “Translocate out, demon, if you’re afraid. I’ll protect Adam.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. Also, fuck you. I’m not leaving Adam, and I’m not afraid of whatever fancy experiments you got going on here. They can eat my ass.”

“Ass-eating will not save you.”

“Stop!” I snapped. “Both of you. Nobody is leaving anyone. We’re getting out together. Victor, what’s the quickest way?”

“The fire-escape stairs, but there are several hurdles between us and there.”

“I can break a window and shove Fuck-Hard out. Problem solved.” Zee shrugged. “It’s not my fault he doesn’t have wings.” Zee raked his glare over Victor. “Loser.”

“As I’m sure you’re aware, demon, I’d prefer not to plummet forty floors, and your solution does not solve Adam’s escape.”

Zee rolled his eyes. “It’s just a fucking dog. We’re badasses. He’s General Vex and I’m Lycian, Scourge of Demios. Why are we hiding in a closet again?”

“That was one dog,” Victor explained. “There are four more on this floor, plus the gas—which is probably already permeating several rooms—and the steel barriers to get through before we reach the stairwell.”

Oh great. Barriers, gas, and murder dogs. It seemed a bit excessive. I never thought I’d wish for the portal to come back, but here we were. “Alright, well, we don’t have a choice, do we? We have to go for the stairs, so instead of standing here arguing, we should go do that.”

Finally, they both fell quiet and nodded their agreement.

“I’ll go first,” Victor offered. “And draw the dogs out. Follow the fire-exit signs. They illuminate even when the power’s out. Zodiac, you’ll be vulnerable to the gas⁠—”

“Why me?”

“Adam’s true nature makes him resilient, and I am able to hold my breath for a substantial length of time.”