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Cracker’s eyes narrowed as he stared at both Declan and Julian.
“We’ll split into two teams,” Jaxon continued. “I’ll take Jagger, Cracker, Skye, and Libby. Our objective will be to penetrate the kitchen entrance.” Julian nodded toward Ethan. “Crane will lead the second team and come in through the amphitheater. This way, we attack from two ends and hopefully one of us can get to Azaiel.”
His gaze swung to Jaden. “No disrespect, but Ethan is the unit leader in this area.”
Jaden nodded. She wasn’t going to get into a pissing contest over who led the team. She didn’t care. She just wanted the job done.
The room had suddenly gone deathly quiet.
“We’ve got operatives inside, and early intel indicates that the place is crawling with otherworld.” Jaxon’s eyes focused on Jaden. “The DaCostas have been spotted in Las Vegas. Jakobi and Degas have entered the game.”
Jaden felt the weight of his words and a sliver of fear rifled through her body at the mention of her father’s name. It was fitting, really. That he would be involved right to the very end.
Her hand strayed to the bruise along the side of her face. It was still there, courtesy of her father. She winced as her fingers passed over it. The pain was good. It was a reminder. Maybe it was time for her to deal with all of her nightmares. Finish it, once and for all.
She returned Jaxon’s hard gaze and cocked her head to the side in challenge. If he thought she’d run away like a coward, he was sadly mistaken.
“You need to stay away from the line of sight targeted by the security cameras. They’ll definitely have facial-recognition programs in place, and they are immune to cloaking charms. There will be guards everywhere, otherworld, human, demon, you name it. It’s not going to be easy to accomplis
h our task. We must succeed. If we don’t . . .” He paused, and his words softened. “I have every faith in all of you, and when this is over, I will see each and every one of you back here. Nothing less is acceptable.”
His dark gaze swept over them, pausing as he rested on Julian.
“We clear?”
Jaden felt the air leave her lungs in a whoosh. She was more than ready. She felt like every single thing she’d ever done had brought her to this moment. It was time to make things right.
She glanced at Julian and was startled to catch his dark eyes staring at her intently. His lips moved, and, for a second, she thought he was going to speak to her. Something flashed across his face but was gone just as quick. What was he thinking?
He turned abruptly and left. Guess she’d never know. Jaden felt something loosen inside of her and slide away until all that was left was a big hole.
“Sin City awaits, boys. Who’s feeling lucky?” Ethan cracked a smile though it did nothing to thaw the cold glint in his eyes.
Declan winked at her as he turned to follow Julian, and she heard him laugh. “Giddy up.”
“He seems like a crazy son of a bitch,” Ethan observed.
Jaden started forward.
“You have no idea.”
Chapter 26
The dark interior of the amphitheater did nothing to hide the sinister taint that lingered in the air.
Jaden smoothed the blood red silk over her hips as she slid in beside Julian, her arm linking through his as she did so. They’d just entered the cavernous room and looked every inch a successful, wealthy couple out to enjoy an evening in one of Vegas’s finest.
She glanced down at the heavy necklace that lay between her breasts. It was ornate and, though delicate in appearance, built to withstand a shift. The piece was charmed, heavily so, and for the moment hid their trace signatures from Cormac and his minions. Hopefully, they wouldn’t be recognized. She felt the gentle touch of magick that slid over her skin. How long it would last was anyone’s guess.
Center stage was occupied though the sounds of the band that entertained the crowd grated on her nerves. It felt like the notes were off-key, only by a fraction, causing them to distort. Her feline ears, supersensitive as they were, protested, and she fought the urge to cover them.
She glanced around. No one else seemed to notice. In fact, from what she could tell, everyone was paying rapt attention like it was freaking U2 up there.
They looked like zombies.
Her eyes narrowed. Something was definitely off. Dark energy was heavy in the air. The place was rancid with its sick, sweetly scent.
She felt like gagging.
