Provoked

CHAPTER 31

Kane stretched his neck, cataloging the weapons worn by the large raiding party. Oscar had been ordered to the other helicopter just in case he got it into his head to hit Dage again. While Kane hadn’t blamed him, they didn’t have time for another fight.

Kane had gotten some sleep on the flight across the ocean and made sure Amber was rested.

She loved him.

While that made it easier for him to keep her as a mate, he doubted his liking her was enough. The idea of her leaving him after the century made his gut ache with an intensity that surprised him.

Was that what love felt like?

Love was supposed to be all silly flowers and dancing tulips.

Not a deep, gut-wrenching ball of pain.

He frowned. Without question, he had been caught up in the moment earlier and would’ve returned Amber’s words if the phone hadn’t disturbed them. Feelings were foreign to him—by his choice and his design. Yet he was going to have to tap into them to figure out what the hell was going on with him. After they found Jase.

Across the wide helicopter, Moira Dunne Kayrs studied him with her light green eyes. While he’d missed the little witch, her frown made him feel worse. The witch could often read people, and she was seriously reading him right now.

He growled at his brother. “Make your mate stop frowning at me.”

Conn’s frown beat Moira’s—hands-down. “Last time I made her do something, she burned my eyelashes off. You make her stop frowning.” He cocked a gun and shoved it in Moira’s vest.

She protested. “I don’t need another gun.”

Conn tugged one of her red curls. “Yes, you do. Take the gun, Dailtín.”

Kane settled back, used to Conn’s Gaelic term of endearment for Moira. Brat.

The witch rolled her eyes but left the gun in place. She smiled at Amber. “We have a support group.”

Amber started before frowning in puzzlement. “A support group?”

“Aye. For mates of the Kayrs brothers. We get together and lament our lot in life.” Moira’s smile brightened her pale face. The little witch had always been a beauty.

Amber chuckled. “I’ll join as soon as I get home.”

“Ah, Amber, you’re already in. Believe me, I understand.” Moira shoved an elbow into Conn’s gut. “I totally understand.”

Conn frowned. “We’re not that bad.”

“Yes, we are,” Talen countered with a broad shrug. “But my mate says we’re worth it.”

“Usually,” Moira muttered.

Kane allowed the banter to flow around him, knowing everyone was trying to keep from thinking about the battle to come. But they had ten minutes until touch down, and it was time to focus. Seven other helicopters flew in formation around them, all filled with soldiers ready to kill. The vampires had brought four ’copters with them to Ireland, while the witches had sent four of their own.

Conn smiled at Amber. “Thank you for coming along—rumor has it you can actually counter the demon mind attack.”

She nodded.

Moira shook her head. “That’s absolutely amazing. I’ve heard rumors about your people, but I never thought to actually meet a demon destroyer. The playing field is finally level with you here.”

Kane cleared his throat. The statement rang true. Amber’s gift finally gave them a chance to fight the demons with their strength intact. “Talen? Please go over the plan one more time.” His older brother was the strategic leader for the Realm and always created their plans. His current plan was both daring and destructive.

Talen nodded, pressing a button on his ear communicator so the other helicopters could listen in. “We’re going with plan A since the demons haven’t sent any planes to intercept us. Hilde Freebird’s tracking device is active, and she’s there. Make no mistake, they’ll be waiting with armed forces ready to go. They’ll employ mind games right off the bat.”

Kane swallowed, tightening his hold on Amber. She’d need to shield immediately. The woman nodded slowly, understanding his silent command. Smart girl.

Talen continued, “Forces three and four will blow all buildings, while forces one and two will instantly infiltrate. We’re not looking for prisoners—aim to kill. Decapitate quickly. If there are children or female demons, try to render them unconscious before securing them in a location we’ll determine once on the ground.” He paused, his fingers ticking off points as he made them. “Female demons are few and far between, but if we find any, they’re masters at mind attacks. You’ll need to knock them out immediately. Kill if necessary, but try to avoid doing so if possible.”

Kane nodded shortly. The idea of killing a woman, even a demon, didn’t sit well with any of them.

Talen shrugged his vest into place. He nodded to Kane. “Primary objective for forces one and two is to find and free Hilde Freebird, as well as locating Jase Kayrs. The remaining forces will protect the perimeter.”

Kane leaned back against the metal side, forcing calm into his muscles. Chances were incredibly slim that Jase was alive—just because the tape stopped before Suri shoved his head free didn’t mean that Suri had also stopped. They’d find Jase and bury him at home. Damn demons. Kane eyed Dage as his hands worked furiously over the controls, flying the aircraft. The king hadn’t spoken much, his jaw set, his eyes hard since showing the brothers the video of Jase being decapitated.

Talen had argued that the video could’ve been doctored, but there hadn’t been time to study it before they needed to head to Scotland. Kane had wanted to agree, but giving his brothers false hope wasn’t a good idea.

Though, deep down, a small kernel of hope lived in his gut. Please, God, let Jase still be alive.

The idea of God never bothered him and just made sense. Sure, Kane was a man of science, but you couldn’t create something out of nothing. A Creator was logical.

Maybe love existed, too.

His mate’s scent of wild heather wrapped around his head, around his heart. He leaned to whisper in her ear. “You stay behind me at all times and keep your shields up. Now isn’t the time to work on attacking demons. I need you strong and your mind clear.”

Irritation flashed in her dark eyes, but she wisely nodded.

“If you fail to follow my orders at any time, I’ll yank you onto the nearest helicopter whether we’ve found your grandmother or not.” He’d threaten her in a heartbeat to keep her safe. And he meant what he said.

She stuck her tongue out at him.

He jerked his head, more than a little startled.

Moira laughed long and hard across the aisle. “Oh, aye, girl. You’re in the club.”

Amber wrinkled her nose, tugging her bulletproof vest down.

Kane’s gaze met Conn’s deep green one. Amusement as well as sorrow mingled in his younger brother’s gaze. Conn tilted his head toward Dage, a question on his face.

Kane nodded. Dage was okay to go, but they’d need to watch his back. If he found Jase’s body, he’d try to kill every demon he saw, regardless of his own safety. Of course, Kane wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep a clear head, either.

Talen glared at them both, his jaw clenched in a stubborn line. He wouldn’t believe Jase was dead until he saw an actual body, a fact Kane admired in his brother. He saw life one way, and that had to be the only way. That made him an amazing leader and an excellent soldier. But the fall from that belief was going to make for a hard landing.

Kane wished just for a second to believe in fate and not reality.

The demon compound came into view.

A small hut sat on the shore of Scotland, facing the North Sea. Beaten, weathered, and appearing deserted, the hut masked the headquarters of the demons. How they’d managed to create a sprawling labyrinth of tunnels on the massive island was impressive, yet devastating. His brother’s body was somewhere down there.

The helicopters had flown low, so low that radar couldn’t pick them up. Their arrival would be a surprise, though no doubt the demons were prepared. With a rush of air, the birds slammed down.

The force hit the beach, soldiers running, the first line setting charges on the hut. “Fire in the hole,” was yelled, and the world exploded.

Splinters of wood shot into the air to land on the rocky beach, smacking into the soldiers.

Certainty that he was making a colossal mistake stopped Kane in his tracks. His mate didn’t belong in a war zone. Sure, Moira was a mate, but she was a witch and a soldier who’d trained for a hundred years. Amber was a human who wouldn’t even eat an animal.

She shoved him. Hard. “Stop waffling. Let’s go.”

Pride, unwilling and unwanted, filled him at her courage. Her willingness to run into an inferno to find her grandmother was impressive. Deep down, he also knew his mate came on the raid to aid him. He knew her well enough to understand she thought to protect him with her brain. His heart swelled.

Grabbing her hand, he began to jog with his mate toward a blistering hell.

God help them all.

Amber breathed through her nose, trying to keep the wisps of burning flakes from burning her skin as they wafted down. Soldiers ran all around them, shouting orders, guns up.

They’d opened up the ground. A myriad of stairs led down into darkness, concrete lining the walls.

The demons must’ve taken years to build the fortress, using concrete that went how far beyond the landmass? How far into the ocean? Intriguing and kind of scary.

A haze covered the air, giving the night a surreal appearance. Everything seemed to move very quickly but in slow motion. How was that possible?

Kane’s hold tightened, jerking her into the present.

Faster than lightning, a horde of demons shot from the underground tunnels.

Raw, brutal images of pain instantly slammed into Amber’s brain.

From the agonized cries around her, the images hit all the soldiers. Yet, they kept marching forward, guns blazing and knives flashing.

She drew deep and covered the images and shards of agony with a gentle, soft, comforting blanket adorned with teddy bears. Then she shot the image through her skin into Kane’s.

He sighed, his shoulders going back. “Nice job.”

“Thanks.” Saying one of her grandmother’s chants, she sent imaginary shields through the air to the vampire and witch soldiers. They instantly sprang forward in strength and action.

Keeping the shields firmly in place, she followed Kane past bodies, past fights, to the crumbled steps leading down into darkness. Her grandmother was down in the earth.

A contingent of soldiers headed down, clearing the way.

Kane released her to stand in front of her, and Talen flanked her back.

“Let’s go,” Kane ordered.

Talen gave her a nudge. She nodded, one hand on Kane’s back while reaching for Talen’s hand.

He stilled and then gripped her.

Concentrating, she shoved the imaginary blanket through her skin to his.

Talen exhaled slowly. “Wow. Impressive.”

She nodded. Both Kayrs brothers were pain free from the mind attack. Now she just needed to concentrate as she stepped on the crumbling stairs and started descending.

Hitting the bottom, they followed the force of soldiers, led by Dage, through a myriad of tunnels. Demons seemed to come out from the rock in challenge. Grunts, cries of pain, and the scent of blood followed their path.

Amber closed her eyes, concentrating. An empty tunnel to the right held odd vibrations. “This way?”

Kane nodded, gesturing for a couple of soldiers to lead the way.

Amber had no doubt he’d be leading the way if he wasn’t flanking her.

Talen gave a frustrated growl from behind her.

Him, too.

They followed the soldiers.

A heaviness blanketed the air.

Suddenly, four demon soldiers leapt out of a side alcove.

Dage instantly engaged one. Two other vampire soldiers grabbed their heads, dropping to the ground.

Kane stepped forward and fired rapid shots into the demons’ chests. Midnight black eyes wide in shock, they dropped to the ground. Dage killed the one in his grasp. Shouting sounded from far ahead, and after receiving a quick nod from Kane, the king darted down the tunnels.

The injured vampires reared up.

“Decapitate them,” Kane ordered grimly and pointed at the three still breathing demons on the ground. He glanced at Amber over his shoulder. “Your shield is working. Nice job.”

A side door opened, and a tall demon slid outside, his hand wrapped around Hilde Freebird’s neck.

Amber gasped, her mind spinning.

Her grandmother had a myriad of bruises down her pale cheek, and blood slid from her nose. She gasped for air. “I guess I wasn’t as strong as I’d hoped.”

Tears filled Amber’s eyes.

“No,” Kane whispered. “Let me handle him.”

There wasn’t any way for Kane to handle him. If he shot the demon, the bastard would probably tear off Hilde’s head before they could stop him. Amber took a deep breath, shooting waves of pain toward the demon.

He smiled sharp fangs, his pale face warming with a light blush. “Nice try.”

The pain and images of dying puppies slammed into her brain. She cried out.

Then, the world went quiet. Dying puppies? Of course.

Tightening her hold on Kane’s hand, she followed her own path, something she should’ve thought of from the beginning. Blanketing the pain, she sent waves of peace and love toward the demon, all wrapped up in a pink baby blanket.

He stepped back, eyes widening.

Oh yeah, take that happy thought, asshole. Fighting pain with pain had been a mistake. “I’m a pacifist,” she muttered, reminding herself. Then she sent more happy thoughts of puppies and daisies to counter the demon’s attack.

He visibly blanched, his hand dropping off Hilde’s neck.

Strength filled Amber. Her own strength of goodness. Shooting yet another warm wave toward the demon, she gasped when he growled again.

Kane took advantage of the moment and plunged his knife into the demon’s neck, twisting until the head rolled free. Then Kane focused on her. “I don’t believe it. You softened him into confusion.”

“All I did was counter his attack. If he would’ve stopped, I wouldn’t have been able to continue affecting him.” She opened her arms for her grandmother to rush inside. “Are you all right?”

Hilde hugged her tight, sniffing. “Yes.”

Amber sighed in relief. “Let’s get out of here.”

Oscar appeared at her side, a wide smile on his face. “I knew you’d be okay. Let’s go.”

The rocks crumbled around them, shards shooting toward their skin. Kane ducked around Amber to shield her.

She opened her eyes, dread slamming into her gut.

Five demon soldiers surrounded them. All with a myriad of silver metals lining their shoulders, black eyes narrowing.

Kane snarled, shoving her behind him.

Images, so many, so fast, slammed into Amber’s brain. Kane’s head jerked back. Oscar gave a pained growl.

Sucking in air, Amber grabbed her grandmother’s hand. “Remember when Mr. Doodles had puppies and we put pink bows on them all?”

Hilde nodded, blood sliding from her nose.

“Send that thought out to the demons . . . along with peace. Kindness filled with sugar. Trust me.”

Hilde gulped and nodded, shutting her eyes.

Amber centered herself, allowing the nameless chants to course through her blood. Then she sent all the peace and pretty images she could spiraling through the air.

The pain in her head receded.

Kane lifted to his full height.

One by one, the demons stilled in place and then returned to fighting without the mind attacks.

Amber kept up her happy thoughts, keeping an eye on her mate. Kane and Oscar battled the demons until all five were dead.

“That is so freakin’ weird,” Hilde muttered, her eyes wide.

Kane grabbed Amber’s hand. “Must be something about brain waves and turning their own attack back on them. You’re a blanket shield, sunshine.”

“I’m a pacifist, damn it.”

Nodding, Kane led the way through the tunnels and out to the breaking dawn. “Wait in the helicopter.” Waiting until she and Hilde sat safely inside surrounded by Oscar as well as other armed soldiers, he headed back into the earth.

Less than an hour later, the battle was over.

Kane assisted wounded soldiers into helicopters that headed off to various hospitals in Ireland.

He and Talen limped toward the helicopter, their faces grim. Dage stalked right behind them.

Kane tucked various guns and knives in pockets along his vest and pants. He shook his head as he neared. “Suri wasn’t anywhere here—damn coward. Nor were there any demon women or children. And there’s no sign of Jase.”

Hilde visibly jumped. “I heard something about a Jase while I was being kept underground.” Her face paled and her hands trembled in her lap.

All movement stopped, and the Kayrs men stared at Hilde.

Amber put an arm around her grandmother. “It’s okay. What did you hear?”

Hilde twisted her lip in an apologetic grimace. “I heard somebody named Jase died, and they buried him near the beach.”

Kane pivoted, his gaze taking in the entire area. Then he pointed toward a sweeping tree, bare branches reaching to the rapidly graying sky. “There’s fresh earth.”

As one, the Kayrs men ran toward the recently dug grave, digging rapidly with hands moving too fast to track. Dirt flew with their desperation.

Hilde gave a low sob, while all Amber could do was watch, her heart shattering.

Moira stood off to the side, her concerned gaze on Conn.

Talen yelled when he uncovered a foot.

Moving slower, the vampires carefully extracted dirt and rocks from the rest of the body.

The soldiers remaining in the area watched silently, keeping an eye on the Kayrs family while searching for threats.

Amber stood inside the massive helicopter for a better look.

Dage dropped to his knees, his eyes widening. “Jase.” The low tenor of his voice wound along with the breeze. Then he brushed off more dirt.

The youngest Kayrs brother was finally revealed, rocks and filth covering his bruised body.

Moira buried her face in Conn’s side as he stared down at his brother.

Kane dropped next to Dage, leaning forward with a frown on his face. He reached toward Jase, his hands trembling. Then he gasped, eyes lighting up with—hope. Definitely hope. “Jase’s head is still attached—barely.” Kane jerked up, his gaze on Talen. “Get bandages. Now.”

Before Talen could turn, two soldiers ran forward with a medic kit.

Kane quickly grabbed gauze, wrapping what was left of Jase’s neck together. “Give him blood.”

Sharp fangs dropped from Dage’s mouth that he dug into his wrist. He put the blood to Jase’s pale lips.

The liquid poured inside.

Seconds passed.

Then minutes, and nobody even seemed to breathe.

Finally, Jase’s chest heaved.

He shoved at Dage, his hands clawing. “Let me go.”

“Never.” Tears filled Dage’s eyes. “Keep drinking.” He lifted his head, his gaze on Kane. A slow smile crossed the king’s face. “We’ve got him.”