Page 128 of The Satyr's Guilt
Thoughts of love faded when Rein thunderedinto the hall, dropping orders on the fly. “When you exit theportal, go low. Prepare to take fire. They’re looking for captives.So stay away from those pellets. If one of us falls, bring thewarrior home. Once we enter, follow your team leader. You know yourjobs.”
Kole entered behind the vamp-mix Firebrand.Armed, he leaned against the wall, letting Rein take the lead. Thegazes eventually fixed on him. “I’m only a warrior along for theride.”
“What about the supposed antidote?” askedJezzi.
Rein smirked. “Alarik said it would kill us.He claims the sedative bullets are safer than the cure.”
“Play dodge ’em when the ammo flies yourway.” Rein adjusted his chest harness filled with three long-bladedUS Marine Raider Stilettos. “If we find no resistance at theportal, we double-time it to the warehouse lab. A reminder. Dax’steam goes left, mopping up the gym and offices. Mine charges alongthe same hall but heads to the mess and the bunks at the rear ofthe building. Ram’s team sweeps right, taking the hallway with thelabs and shipping room. Jezzi, your group holds the perimeter,particularly the front door. Don’t let any surprises inside. What’sthe goal?”
In unison, the Firebrands recited themission objective. “We snatch the vamps. We kill anyone who gets inour way.”
Rein’s lips curled, his fangs sharp, visiblepoints. “Damn straight. Gear checked?”
Nods all around.
“Abello, Denim, you get how the D-chipswork? No verbal comm. Chatter’s in here.” Rein tapped his head.
Denim locked eyes with Nico. “We’vepracticed. Good to go.”
The vampire shouted, “For duty.”
His words were met with another shout. “Forhonor.”
Along with the others, Denim touched herwrist, floating, dipping, spinning through the Whorl. The ride wasa bigger thrill than the pre-Katrina Mega Zeph at the old SixFlags. Besides, she was going into battle. The excitement rocketedthrough her.
Unlike portal jumpers, which allowed no morethan five to use a gateway at once, the Firebrands’ D-chips gotthem all through.
Stepping out of the portal, she dropped intoa crouch. No opposition in sight. Ram landed in front of her. Henodded at his group. They raced toward the lab.
Ram signaled for the action to begin. Thornput his shifter strength to work on the door, breaking the lock. Heswung it open. The satyr barreled through, Thorn, Galena, and heron his ass. They broke right, charging along the hallway towardtheir destination, each room with multiple doors. One opened to thehall. Another connected the rooms. They expected the young vampiresto be in a lab.
No problem. A short distance to the corridoron the right. Denim heard the other teams of Firebrands move intoposition. Still no opposition. They passed the shipping room alongwith the first two labs.
The strategy was to hit the farthest targetinitially, sweeping back toward the entrance after they clearedeach lab. Too quiet. The only noise was the muffled thud of theirboots on the concrete.
Ram glanced over his shoulder at his team,his brows slammed tight, gun out when they neared their firstobjective. The far lab.
A man popped out of the doorway. He piercedthe silence, sending a bullet whizzing by Denim’s ear. Headfirst,sliding on her belly, she dove into an alcove formed by anotherentry door. Shooting upright, she scanned for Ram. He must havecloaked himself in his satyr mist.
Thorn sped to shelter with Denim whileGalena hustled to a space further down the hall. Team membersaccounted for.
Ping. Ping.
Bullets smashed into the wall near theAmazon.
Damn.Denim heard Galena’s words asclear as if she was standing beside her.I’m eating paint chips.I think this is real ammo. Not the tranqs.
Ram was the Firebrand who replied.Don’ttake a chance.
Now the ammo was flying. Denim peeked aroundthe corner, ducking back when shots pelted the metal frame. Sheturned to Thorn, at the last minute remembering not to speak aloud.Shit. That guy’s got us stuck here.
Ping. Ping. Ping.
Wait, Denim. Fate rewards those who arepatient.
She tapped her D-chip.What are you now?A guru?
He gave her a wolfy grin. A barragecontinued to ding the metal near their hidey-hole.
