Page 155 of The Satyr's Guilt
Once that job was one-and-done, Margo was upnext. She’d destroy communication signals, taking away everybody’sears.
Next, the warriors would storm the base.From Skyler’s description, the lab holding Ram lay on the southside of the facility. A special team would proceed directly therewhile others handled the remaining Humans First soldiers.
All buildings opened onto a central field.Skyler figured several barracks, a mess, two labs, at least. Therewas the helicopter. They’d need to disable it.
Two tall, solid doors barred the entrance.Rein and Tyr had seen no one come or go from them, but they stuckaround to observe the changing of the guard.
Fresh snipers came out. The guys in thegrass switched with their replacements while new guards took overthe towers. Rein glanced at his watch.
The operation was big with lots of movingparts.
He signaled Tyr, and they scoped out an areawhere the Firebrands could stage the action.
Chapter Thirty-One
Splash. Pop. Squish. Pop.Squish. Squish.
Several hours before nightfall, waterloggedswampland grasses slogged under boots as fighters from threestrongholds unloaded from SUVs and trucks at the designatedoperation staging area out of sight of Dante’s compound.
Kole’s fiery gaze swept over the males andfemales, not only from his command but also from Jarek’s andNace’s. Black leather, jeans, tees, and shitkickers were the dressof the day. Blades crisscrossed on chests and backs. Guns hung fromhips. The Scion Firebrands were weighted with metal and fiercedetermination.
Though death’s bell tolled with an uncertainoutcome, their backs were straight and their heads clear. The airrippled with energy.No.Excitement. Anticipation. They wereborn for this. The Phoenix had called them for this.
No warriors were more impressive. None madeKole prouder.
Silence greeted the commander’s raised armand clenched fist. Even the swamp stilled. No birds, no frogs, nocrickets sounded as if they had read the orders of the day. Theusual bullshit banter among the Firebrands paused for themoment.
“You’ve been briefed, but once more for thedumbasses who didn’t listen.” A few snickers rolled through thegroup. “Rein, Tyr, Alarik, Indigo, and Braelyn will go in first totake care of the hidden snipers and guards in the towers. When theysignal job done, we will all move outside the compound to ourassigned zones. Margo will silence communications. From this pointforward, we’ll all be deaf. No D-chip babble even. Vampires, youhave the advantage here if you’re telepathic. Once Margo has zappedthe airwaves, we go in and we go in fast. Hit them with everythingwe have.”
Chay bounced from foot to foot, unable toharness his energy.
Brak punched his arm. “Stop with the wardance.”
The ylve Firebrand grinned his comeback ashe continued to bob and weave.
Kole ignored them to continue. “Dax, you’releading Denim, Sabine, Nico, and Thorn to the labs. First in. Wehope first out. The rest of the Covenkirk stronghold is with me.We’ll make a direct run for the helicopter, killing anyone in ourway. Jarek, you and your Firebrands will secure the entrance andthe south sector. Nace, take your warriors to the north.”
Both commanders nodded, their vibes aspalpable as those coming off their warriors. Since djinn fed offbattle, Jarek’s anticipation was expected. He needed it to survive.Nace? He was just savage.
“I know these areHomo sapiens, andwe have spent a lifetime protecting them. Not these males. Not now.Remember, they are stronger, and they are faster than what youexpect. Kill them all. They chose this battle. We leave no onebehind who knows about us.”
The Aeternals nodded.
“We do this for one of our own and for twoinnocent citizens being tortured by a madman. We do this for Gahyawho created us. For the Blood Coven who gifted us with a home onScath. We do this for the glory of the Firebrands who give uspurpose. For the survival of our species. Do it fast. Do it well.And do it with a clean conscience. For duty. For honor.”
When silent raised blades and spears paidhomage to Kole’s words, he nodded at Rein and his group. They wereon deck first.
****
Rein’s Team One moved into position. Whenhe, Braelyn, Tyr, Indigo, and Alarik flicked their wrists, theguards in the towers and the snipers hidden in the grasses grabbedtheir heads. Lights out. Put to bed with a thought. Themind-control spells wormed into the humans’ brains, burrowed in,voraciously devouring tissue. No shots fired.
His robes replaced by black BDU’s and a darkshirt, Alarik strolled to the nearest shooter. He touched fingersto the guy’s neck, signaling no pulse.
Indigo kicked over a sniper, bending towhisper while she twirled a strand of hair between her thumb andforefinger. “You chose the wrong side, dumpling.”
Rein fisted Braelyn’s arm. “Retreat to standwith my father. Margo will join you when her task is complete.”
“Sure thing.” She rose on tip-toe, pressingher warm lips to his. “Be careful.”
