Dianne Duvall: Darkness Rises

Greetings flowed around the room as Darnell took out his phone and dialed, but the call went to Seth’s voice mail.

He met David’s gaze as he put away the phone.

David turned his head to one side, as though listening, and closed his eyes. “Seth.”

Everyone exchanged glances.

“Yes.” David opened his eyes and faced them. “He shall be here shortly.”

Sheldon stared. “Where is he?”

“Anchorage.”

“Alaska?”

“Yes.”

“And he could hear you?”

“Yes.”

Lisette met Étienne and Richart’s gazes. “That’s amazing. I have to at least be in the same state to hear my brothers.”

Krysta looked up at Étienne as he nodded.

David shrugged. “I’m older. It requires a great deal of power.”

“That’s awesome,” Sheldon said. “Can you contact any immortal that way?”

“Yes.”

“Would you tell Oscar in California that I want the hundred bucks he owes me? He isn’t answering his phone.”

David stared at him.

Sheldon swallowed. “You aren’t telling him, are you?”

“No.”

Krysta’s tears dried as amusement sifted through her.

Seth appeared just inside the front door, katanas in hand, his face and clothing blood-splattered. “One moment,” he told them, then vanished.

Krysta heard a faucet turn on down in the basement. Rustling. The water shut off.

Seth reappeared, face and hands clean, fresh clothing adorning his tall form, weapons sheathed. He took his seat. “Sean,” he said, “I understand you wish to be transformed.”

Every eye turned to Sean. “Yes, sir.”

“You have my permission. Étienne may transform you at any time of your choosing after tonight.”

“Thank you.”

“Tonight I would like you to remain here and offer what aid you can in the infirmary in case any of the wounded come here instead of going to the network. A staff is already on hand, ready to be of service, and have been informed of your ability.”

“I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

“Do not push yourself too far healing or you may not live long enough to be transformed.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Chris?”

Chris rose and, opening his briefcase, began to hand out file folders. “Seth and David inspected the compound this afternoon. These are the schematics they drew. Since the tracking devices could be discovered at any moment, we need to strike tonight.”

Étienne took the folder offered to him. “How do you know they haven’t already been discovered?”

“My men have been surveilling the place all day. There has been no increase in activity. Although we do believe the commander arrived just before sunset with two other men. The mercenaries all saluted him and treated him with deference and respect.”

Krysta took a folder, feeling a sense of pride that she was now one of them and treated as such. Even Sean was given a folder.

Chris handed David one and rounded the table.

Marcus took a folder. “Do you know who the commander is yet?”

“No. My men had to keep their distance to avoid compromising their mission and couldn’t get a good look at his face.”

Krysta studied the map. A large main building. Two hangars that shielded who knew what. Helicopters.

Marcus scowled. “This is nearly identical to the last compound we conquered.”

Seth leaned back in his chair. “Yes, it is. There’s no denying anymore that there is a connection. We just don’t know what it is.”

Ami bit her lip and met Seth’s gaze, worry shadowing her pretty green eyes.

Seth spoke softly to her. “Ami, I want you to sit this battle out. Stay here with Darnell and help him coordinate the other Seconds. And help Sean with the wounded if you can.”

Ami looked up at Marcus and nodded. “All right.”

“Jenna,” Seth added. “I’d like you to remain here, too. You haven’t completed your training and aren’t prepared to face the opposition you would if you accompanied us.”

Beside Richart, Jenna nodded. “If you find yourself in need of an extra pair of hands . . .”

He smiled. “Richart or I will come for you.”

David leaned forward and clasped his hands on the table. “Since it worked well for us before, we’re going to employ the same strategy we used the last time. The immortals will strike first, catching them off guard and clearing a path. Then the Seconds and network guards will sweep in behind us.”

Chris nodded. “I have Black Hawks, two Sisu XA-180 armored personnel carriers, and two Humvees full of men standing by a few miles from the compound. The Seconds here will accompany me to the rendezvous point in a van.”

“A majority of the mercenaries will likely be in the main structure,” Seth said. “David, Roland, Sarah, Marcus, Lisette, and I will tackle that. Bastien, Melanie, Étienne, and Krysta, take the barracks. Richart, Ethan, and Edward, handle the guards on the grounds, but beware of land mines and other traps. Yuri and Stanislov, take the hangers.”

Chris held up a finger. “Once more I’d like to request that you keep the vehicles intact, if possible, so that we can use them ourselves in the future.”

Yuri and Stanislov both sighed with disappointment.

“You are forever spoiling our fun, Reordon,” Stanislov complained.

Seth smiled. “Immortals, make sure you have several doses of the antidote on you stowed in different pockets, so if a bullet destroys one you will have another available.”

“Elder immortals,” David said, “Keep an eye on the younger immortals and lend them assistance when needed. Sarah and Melanie, because you possess the speed and strength of elder immortals, I include you in that category.”

The two women nodded.

Melanie winked at Bastien. “I get to keep my eye on you.”

He grinned. “You always do. My ass , that is.”

“Because your ass is hot.”

“I know.”

Roland sighed loudly.

Chuckles erupted.

“Any questions?” Seth asked.

No one spoke.

“Okay. Let’s book.”

Krysta rose and started to follow the others toward the door.

Sean caught her elbow and pulled her into a hug. “Be careful.”

“You, too. Like Seth said, don’t overdo it.”

“I won’t.”

She saw Sarah tug on Roland’s hand as they walked past. “Why couldn’t we have had siblings like that?”

“I don’t know. We got screwed.”

Sean laughed.

Smiling, Krysta took Étienne’s hand and followed the others out into the night.

Krysta stood with Étienne and her immortal brethren (it felt so weird to think of them that way) in the shadows of tall, fragrant evergreens. The moon was new, something that should work to their advantage. Unless the compound bore ultrabright stadium lights, there should be plenty of shadows from which immortals could strike.

Étienne tightened his grip on her hand. Keep your mind open to me.

You look nervous , she said, peering up at him. She was a little nervous herself. Are you planning to propose to me again? she teased.

He smiled. Not if your answer will change.

Krysta shook her head. It will always be yes .

He stole a quick kiss.

Feel better? she asked.

Yes .

You were worrying about me getting hurt, weren’t you?

You know me well.

She liked to think she did. We’ve fought mercenaries and won before.

There were far fewer to fight and you still ended up getting shot.

I’m immortal now. Bullets won’t kill me.

But they hurt like hell and, as I’ve said before, I don’t like seeing you hurt.