Page 45 of Demon Huntress
"Shit," Slade muttered behind him.
Guns fired, and they both ducked for cover. The glass shattered, and he glanced at Slade. He looked like shit, but he was shaking it off.
"Top floor," he said, wanting to make sure they both knew where they were headed if they were split up.
He jumped out, ramming the two guys nearest to him. He took them down, disarming them. Blood sprayed all over the white tile, and more shots were fired. He slid behind another pillar.
Slade took his opening, taking out a guard that tried to sneak up behind him. He ground his teeth together. He quickly shifted back into his human form and slid beside Slade.
"We're outnumbered." At this rate, it was going to take them forever to get up to the top floor. Not to mention all the innocent people attending the party. This was turning into a shit show.
"Slade."
They both turned as someone called out. His eyes widened as he watched Jenny come baring down, taking three men in her wake.
Flash was impressed. She knew how to disarm. Slade looked furious to see her here.
"How did you ... when ... why are you here?" he asked, stumbling for the right words. "How did you even know to come here?"
"I have my ways," she said, tucking tighter behind the pillar next to him. "And it looks like you could use an extra hand."
"How did you know to find us here? How did you get in?"
"I snuck in as extra help in the kitchen. When they wanted my ID, I simply said I was late and that if I didn't get in, Crenshaw was going to be pissed. That my bills depend on this job. They took pity."
Smart. She clearly thought her way through this.
"How did you know to come here?" Slade demanded.
"I told you I was investigating things. I have my connections just like you do."
Flash felt appreciative, but it seemed Slade didn’t.
His face hardened. "Jenny, it's too dangerous for you here. Why did you even come? You need to go home where it's safe."
Jenny's face fell, and Flash scowled at Slade. "Are you kidding me? This is what Cass was talking about. This is where that overprotective side of you needs to shut the fuck up."
Slade snapped his gaze to him, and he avoided a gunshot. "We need the help, and we need her here. Stop being the overbearing brother and let her spread her wings already."
Jenny looked at him with hope, and Flash stood frozen for a moment. Slade took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder, taking in the scene. They needed the extra hand, and as much as he didn't want to admit it, it was about time he saw Jenny as an adult.
"You know I'm only this way because I never want anything to happen to you." Slade looked back at her. "I want to make sure you are safe because it's what they would have wanted. I'm sorry for treating you like a child."
Jenny gave him a soft smile. "I'm not a little kid anymore, Slade. I can do this. Let me prove that to you."
Slade studied her for a moment before he nodded. "All right."
And just like that, the group grew from a disastrous duo to a team of three. For a moment, he thought they could make it work. Then guards popped out of nowhere, and even with Jenny at their side, they were still outnumbered.
"Where are they coming from?" Slade asked, throwing another man across the room. His screams filled the air, but they were all too busy to care.
"I don't know, but we need to figure something out, or we are screwed."
Jenny was trying to keep up, but they were all falling back. They were pressed to the exit, and he started to worry. What if they couldn’t make this work? What if they lost her? What if Crenshaw got what he wanted, and their world was forever changed?
They just might lose.
They were back outside, and the air seemed bitter now. He felt a storm brewing, and someone smacked Jenny, throwing her sideways. Slade turned to her just as another hit him, knocking him on his ass.
