Primal Heat 05 - Darkness Reborn

live.
    Kane grimaced. Sweetheart, he's the one who's bringing those assassins to you. He has to be stopped.
    Her agony filled him, slicing through him like a great wall of pain. No, he has to live. Promise me.
    The intensity of her voice was so strong, Kane knew he couldn't say no. I'll try, but if I have to choose between you and him, it's going to be you. He wanted to offer her the world, but he wouldn't lie to her. If he had to make a choice, there was only one decision he would make.
    You're my only hope, Kane. You're all I have. Her eyes flickered open, and he felt his soul stop at the anguish in those blue depths. Please.
    He swore, and looked at Ryland. "She says her brother has to live."
    Ryland grinned, respect flashing in his eyes instead of the aggravation Kane had expected. "That's just like an angel, isn't it? Wanting to save the man who's trying to kill her?" He slapped Kane's shoulder, his amusement fading. "This chick is so going to get fucked up hanging out with us, Santiago. We need to get her away from us as soon as possible. I won't destroy an angel."
    "Yeah, me either." Kane tucked Sarah more closely against his chest. Tremors were wracking her body, and he knew that they were almost out of time. Could she even survive the next fifteen minutes that he had planned for her?
    She had to. He would make sure of it.

Chapter Four
    Kane stumbled as he materialized for the second time in the courtyard of Dante's mansion, the former abode of their deceased leader that had become the working headquarters of the Order of the Blade. Ryland caught him as he almost went down, his black eyes blazing. "We're ready."
    His head still spinning from the magnitude of energy he'd had to expend to keep teleporting himself and Sarah, while ensuring their safe recovery each time, Kane looked around and felt intense relief fill him at the sight of the Order of the Blade surrounding him. His boys had his back, as they always did for each other.
    Almost the entire team was assembled, weapons out, battle stances engaged. Ryland. Quinn Masters, their acting leader until Dante's replacement could be identified. Gideon Roarke. Thano Savakis, with his damned arrogant grin that hid a lethal talent that far surpassed the thirty-five years he'd been alive. Elijah Ross, who had finally begun to put on weight since his ordeal. Zach Roderick and Gabe Watson rounded it out. All accounted for except Ian Fitzgerald, who had vanished several weeks ago, carrying the body of the woman who looked like his dead sheva . No one had been able to find him since, and that wasn't good. Ian was a dedicated team member, and to have him disappear without a trace was an indication of something being seriously wrong.
    Standing with the team were two new additions: Drew Cartland, Dante's son, who had more powers than any rookie should and his uncle, Vaughn McIntyre. Drew was a major concern for the team: as the son of their former leader, one of the greatest warriors ever, he should have fit in with the Order smoothly, but there was also something ominous lurking beneath the surface that had them all on alert, watching him carefully. Was it the residual contamination from the battle they'd had with one of the founders of their race, or was it something more ominous?
    Beside Drew stood Vaughn, the kid's protector, a deadly fighter with a heritage he refused to reveal. It was a daunting crew, and Kane grinned. Good luck to the playboys from Hollywood. Everything was about to change.
    Quinn's swords were out, his body tense with readiness for battle. His dark hair was spiked and short, and his brown eyes were blazing. "Ryland filled us in," Quinn said. "Anything else you can add before they show up?"
    "They won't be weakened by all the teleporting I just did," Kane said, shifting Sarah in his arms to tuck her more securely against his chest, preparing against her brother showing up and trying to snatch her again. "They'll have been taking turns teleporting the rest of the team, so they'll all be fresh. The leader is the one who can track Sarah. He has to be stopped."
    "No," Sarah protested, lightly hitting her fist against Kane's chest. "Don't kill him. Jacob has to live."
    Quinn met Kane's gaze, and the two men exchanged silent agreement. There would be no way to hold her brother since he could teleport. They didn't have a lot of options.
    Kane. Sarah touched his face, and he looked down, grimacing when he saw how vulnerable she looked. Her lips were