Dark of Night

by T. F. Walsh

  “Hold it!”

  Mira swiveled to face two armed security guards. She lifted her hands. “This isn’t what you think.”

  “On the ground. Now!” One guard kept his gun trained on her while the other moved farther out into the department to radio the police for backup.

  Mira knelt and he stepped forward, weapon aimed at her head. Kagan stirred with a soft groan. She had to act fast.

  The guard shifted his attention to Argus and Mira grabbed his wrist, pushing the barrel of the firearm away from her temple. While maintaining a hold on the butt of the weapon for leverage, she used his struggle to gain her footing. Mira drove a hard kick into his crotch with her steel-toed boots, and he stumbled backward. She kicked him several more times before he released the gun. Mira aimed for the second guard, who now stood at the dressing room entrance, frozen in shock. “Get on the floor!”

  She made quick work of binding the guards with their own handcuffs, her gaze flicking up when Chago groaned. She grinned at his stunned expression. “Welcome back.”

  While she finished tightening the bonds on the second guard, a pained moan rose from Kagan. She looked away as he pulled the machete from his stomach. Mira grabbed a pair of designer socks from a nearby rack and stuffed one in each guard’s mouth before hazarding a glance in Kagan’s direction again. She found him leaning on one elbow, watching her, his expression unreadable. His voice simmered low, tinged with feral undertones. “Great work, piccola.”

  Chago rubbed the front of his throat and pushed to his feet. He shuffled to the entrance and helped Kagan stand. “We need to get out of here. What do we do with Argus?”

  “We need to interrogate him.” Kagan grabbed several leather belts off a rack and bound Argus’s ankles and wrists before shouldering his bulk and striding out. Chago and Mira followed, making their way down the stairwell to the first floor.

  Mira cracked the door open. Several squad cars were parked outside, lights flashing. “We have company.”

  Argus stirred on Kagan’s shoulder and Mira frowned, jabbing the side of the demon’s neck. When Kagan quirked a brow, she grinned. “Hey, Spock’s got nothing on me.”

  Chago pulled out his phone and hit the speed dial button. “Wyck, distraction, please.” Several seconds later, the fire alarm sounded and the sprinklers rained. “Let’s go.”

  They dashed across the display floor, evading detection behind clothing racks and checkout islands on their way to the exit. Officers jogged past, barking orders into walkie-talkies. With the coast relatively clear, the group made their final drive to the side doors. Chago wrenched a fire extinguisher from the wall and smashed the glass, then repeated the action on the outer doors. Security alarms blaring behind them, they crawled through the shattered entrance and stood in the darkness, searching for their next option. A black Suburban screeched to the curb, the tinted passenger window swooshing down to reveal Xander’s less-than-pleased expression. “Get in!”

  Chago yanked the door open and they piled inside. Xander swerved into the nearby traffic as police swarmed the now deserted sidewalk. Kagan hoisted Argus’s body into the cargo hold, and Chago wedged through the console area and up into the front seat with an agility belying his large frame.

  While Xander weaved through the dark streets, his glare flicked between the traffic ahead and Kagan in the rearview mirror. “Way to keep things quiet.”

  Kagan held Xander’s glower with an answering one of his own before slumping against the seat. “Hey, we got the job done.”

  “No, she got the job done. You’re lucky Mira was there, or you’d both be in lock-up right now trying to explain how you survived all your otherwise lethal injuries.” His eyes flicked to Chago before returning to Kagan. “You two got your asses handed to you in there.”

  Chago kept his gaze locked on the passing scenery. Kagan scowled out the window. On cue, Argus delivered a swift kick to the back of the seat and sent Mira and Kagan flying forward. With a snarl, Kagan leaned over the seat and punched the demon hard in the side of the head then hunkered down once more, his arms crossed and a scowl firmly in place.

  “What’s the problem, Cranky Hanky?” Mira asked. “Pissed a girl saved your ass?”

  “Maybe he’s considering how irresponsible his actions were,” Xander suggested from the driver’s seat.

  Kagan flipped him a middle finger. “Vaff!”

  Xander made a sharp turn around a chain link fence. They pulled up outside an abandoned warehouse beside the lakefront. Mira studied the industrial buildings. “I don’t recognize this place.”

  “It’s secret.” Chago climbed out and opened her door. “Welcome to Pain Central.”

  A cold wind blew off the lake and Mira shivered. The hatch of the truck slammed closed behind her. Kagan toted Argus toward the cavernous building. He stopped at the entrance and called over his shoulder, “C’mon, let’s get this over with.”

  Chapter 8

  Argus squinted into the bright light beaming in his face, but sighted nothing beyond the glare. Sounds of movement, electronics, and muffled voices droned in the surrounding gloom. Duct tape secured his torso and arms to a metal chair. He jerked each foot and confirmed they too were strapped tight. He closed his eyes and attempted to flash away. Nothing. He summoned his demonic strength to break his bonds. Nada.

  Turning his head, he spied an IV bag and pole to his side. Tubes snaked to a needle jammed beneath the skin near his elbow. Shit! The bastards fucking doped me!

  Tape covered his mouth and prevented anything more than a grunt while the nearby bulbs drove the scorching temperature higher. Copious sweat ran from his temples and pooled around his ears before slicking down his chest. Something was missing. The comforting weight of the amulet. Argus bucked in his seat. Fuckin’ A!

  A hand gripped his throat and ripped the adhesive from his lips. Raw skin stung with salty perspiration. A lethal voice whispered close to his ear, “If you scream again, I’ll rip out your forked tongue. Are we clear?”

  He gave a single nod, his gaze narrowed on the warrior now directly in front of him. Argus didn’t remember screaming, but he recognized the face.

  Kagan stared down at him, his eyes black with fury. “Tell me who you’re working for.”

  The warrior’s fingers wrapped around Argus’s neck, grip tight, and his vision spider-webbed. He forced his host’s spirit farther beneath the surface. No time to find a new body at this point. Fucking Scion. “No idea. Never met ’em. They only sent me here to collect the girl.”

  Kagan leaned closer, nose-to-nose. “Lie to me again, cazzo, and this will get painful.”

  “Promise?” Argus smirked.

  “Vaff!” Kagan pushed hard on the chair back; the metal frame creaked and rocked on two legs.

  Argus chuckled, pressing his advantage. “You don’t scare me, pussy. I know all your fucking tricks.”

  “Want to bet?” A bag descended fast over Argus’s head, pulling tight around his neck. The plastic sealed off his windpipe and he flailed. His vision tunneled to a pinprick of light in a sea of black. The last speck of light blipped out and his demon clawed to the surface, desperate for oxygen. Argus reveled in the adrenaline-fueled anguish, his constricted gasps echoed off the warehouse walls.

  An order barked from the shadows, and the suffocating material disappeared. Air rushed in, and Argus drew in a large breath.

  Kagan crouched, his voice barely audible over the blood pounding through Argus’s head. “Lie to me again, demon, and the bag returns.”

  “Fuck you, Scion.”

  Kagan’s gaze dropped to Argus’s chest. “What’s this mark?”

  “Wouldn’t you love to know?”

  “Anything to do with this?” Kagan held up the amulet.

  Argus followed the motion of the talisman dangling before him. “That’s mine!�
� The words blurted out before he could contain them. Fucking hell!

  “Really? Looks like it’s mine now.” Kagan stuffed the prize in his pocket and disappeared into the shadows.

  • • •

  “Think you’ll want to check this out.” Kagan placed the amulet into his commander’s palm.

  Xander studied the triangular pendant, the tiny symbols engraved on the bronze. “These are astrological.” He pointed to the largest sigil in the center. “This is the sign for Mars.”

  The scraping of a metal chair against the concrete floor drew their attention back to the struggling, trussed-up demon. Xander shoved the artifact into his jacket and turned to the vitals monitor. “He’s not telling us anything.”

  “He’s lying, Xan. He knows exactly who he’s working for.”

  “Maybe I should take over.”

  “No. My mission, my interrogation.” Kagan stood defiant.

  Jaw clenched, Xander considered Kagan for a long moment before nodding. “Fine. The first injection’s ready when you are.”

  Kagan glanced at Mira, who sat on some crates in the corner watching the proceedings. Alone. She caught him staring and hopped down, walking farther into the darkness. Her confession rang loud in his memory as he grabbed a handful of syringes. I got away and kept running. Oca! Tonight the running would end.

  He approached Argus again. With a flick of his thumb, he removed the cap off the needle and inserted it into the port of the IV tubing. The plunger descended, releasing the chemicals into the flow.

  Seconds later, Argus’s strained grunts filled the air, his body convulsing against the restraints. The drug’s effects intensified and Argus’s transformation slipped, his face flickering between human and demon while his claws dug into the metal arms of the chair. Once the last seizure subsided, Kagan knelt beside Argus with a rabid smile. “Now, demon, you and I talk.”

  • • •

  The agony dulled to a bearable throb and Argus’s head drooped. Eyes scratchy and watering, he squinted. “Go screw yourself, Scion.”

  Kagan produced another syringe. This time Argus tensed before the chemicals reached him, anticipating the torment. Pain, vivid and searing, swelled to a crescendo, so much better than before. His skin crawled atop the supporting bone like undulating worms and his face split, revealing glimpses of the scales below. The demon relished the exquisite torture. Sons of El were raised on grief. Ate misery for breakfast. This was a walk in the fucking nursery compared to his initiation.

  “Two doses, demon. One more and your host could die. Something tells me you don’t want to find another one this late in the game.” Kagan paced. “In fact, my theory is you chose this human for a specific reason. There’s a purpose for your unusual co-habitation, isn’t there, Argus?”

  “You know nothing, pussy.” Argus eyed Kagan with contempt.

  The Scion glanced toward something beyond the lights. Argus extended his mental feelers. The little bitch is here. He pushed his preternatural senses further. Even better, she’s bonded to the Scion.

  Now he had ammunition. His dry chuckle reverberated through the warehouse. “You got no idea who the fuck you’re dealing with.”

  “Tell me who you’re working for.” Kagan gripped his hair, yanking his head back.

  Argus laughed, hungry for another dose. “Shit, Kagan. McClaine says your girlfriend’s the finest piece of cunt he ever had.”

  • • •

  Kagan jammed the third syringe into the port before Xander could stop him. Argus’s violent writhing snapped the back legs off the chair. He fell to the ground in a mass of quivering limbs, his screams scattering pigeons from their roosts in a barrage of flapping chaos. There was one final violent convulsion then silence. Grim satisfaction seethed through Kagan’s system. At last, Mira would be free.

  Xander stepped up beside him to tower above the motionless body. His commander’s anger radiated off him in palpable waves, his tone tight with fury. “The last dose caused a massive seizure. There could be permanent brain damage. Our orders were to return him in working condition.”

  Kagan gazed at the contorted half-human, half-demon face below and battled another crest of unbridled rage. Images of a sixteen-year-old Mira alone in the streets, hurt and terrified, flashed through his mind. His warrior instincts went into overdrive, and his chest constricted. He would protect her! Fanculo la missione!

  Stone-faced, Xander yanked the IV from Argus’s arm. “Christos, Kagan! What the hell’s wrong with you?”

  “He threatened my target,” Kagan said before walking away.

  “And how’s that different from every other job?” Xander called.

  Kagan ignored his commander and zeroed in on Mira.

  • • •

  Mira watched Kagan’s approach, her arms crossed. His measured stride and determined expression razed her nerves. He drew closer and she moved farther away. When Kagan finally cornered her, they were at the far end of the warehouse, hidden from view.

  “McClaine raped you.”

  His words burned through her like battery acid. She evaded. “I’m not discussing this with you. Leave me alone.”

  “Oca! I’m your guardian!” She tried to escape, but he grabbed her arm. “Your protector.”

  “I don’t want your damn protection. In fact, I don’t want anything from you.” Mira wrenched free. “Just go the fuck away.”

  Before she had time to react, he pinned her against the steel wall of the warehouse. “You wanted me this morning, Mira. I can make you want me again.”

  She froze when he moved closer, the rigid length of his cock pressing into her abdomen. His teeth tugged gently on the lobe of her ear, and she couldn’t stifle a shiver. His lips brushed her cheek then lowered to nibble her jaw. Flashes of McClaine crashed through her reality: his hands digging into her thighs, his rancid breath moist on her neck, his flaccid dick flopping in front of her face. No!

  One hard shove and Kagan stumbled back without resistance. Mira wiped a hand over her trembling mouth. “Stay the hell away from me, Kagan. Don’t touch me again.”

  • • •

  Kagan ran his tongue over his lips and tasted the salt from her tears. I’m no better than McClaine.

  With a curse, he pushed off the metal wall and slammed out the nearby door. He welcomed the shock of frigid air on his heated skin. In the distance, he glimpsed the outline of Chago leaning against the building, tossing his dagger in the air and catching the hilt without a glance. After a moment, Kagan approached.

  “How goes the interrogation?” Chago asked.

  “Got nothing except an amulet he was wearing.”

  “He’s a Son of El. You know normal torture doesn’t work with them. That’s why Sloane’s trying out the new drugs.”

  “With his host involved, we had a chance.” Kagan studied the gravel beneath his boots. He picked up a stone and hurled it toward the lake. “Merda! I snapped.”

  “Xander should’ve handled the interrogation, anyway. Or had me do it.” Chago’s gaze returned to the horizon. “You’re too involved.”

  Kagan’s jaw clenched. “I’m as capable as ever.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” Chago leaned a shoulder against the building and faced him. “You’ve got other priorities. Me, I’d have kicked his ass and worried about details later.”

  Kagan crossed his arms. “And that would’ve been helpful how?”

  Chago opened his mouth to respond, but was pre-empted by a loud boom from inside the warehouse. The doors blew open, clanking into the steel building as flames shot out. Both warriors charged into the chaos. Smoke and flame clogged the air.

  “Can you see anything?” Kagan squinted into the inferno. The heat puckered his skin and singed the hair at his nape.

  “Joder! No.” Chago shout
ed from somewhere to his left.

  A hand emerged from the billowing black to grab Kagan’s arm. Xander appeared, hacking and covered in soot.

  “You okay, Xan?” Chago said.

  Xander nodded. “How about you two?”

  Kagan peered behind Xander. “Where’s Mira?”

  The fire raged higher and Xander pushed them outside.

  “Xan, where the hell’s Mira?” Kagan started toward the entrance.

  “Argus took her. Flashed before I knew he was conscious.” Xander grabbed Kagan’s arm and held up a hand for him to wait until his coughing jag subsided. “Something’s off. He recovered too fast.”

  Kagan stood frozen amidst the blaze, his mind spinning between the fact Argus had Mira and his parting exchange with her. Merda!

  When Xander spoke again, his voice was sandpaper raw. “He took the drugs, Kagan. And the mark on his chest was glowing.”

  Chapter 9

  Mira returned to the world of the living in stages, her head pounding and her mouth dry. A metallic clang issued somewhere close, and the acrid smell of chemicals permeated the air.

  She scooted until her butt bumped the wall behind her then levered into a sitting position. Balance was harder than she imagined with her arms tied behind her, but after several attempts, she succeeded. Upright at last, Mira took a deep breath and looked at her surroundings.

  Well-worn shag carpet covered the floor and filled the tiny enclosed space with the odor of musty tube socks. The walls were stained and watermarked, illuminated by one bare bulb high above. The clang issued again — louder this time — and she pressed her ear to the drywall, searching for its source. A dry, off-key whistle drifted to her ears and grew in intensity. Someone approached her door. Shit!

  She searched for something to use for a weapon. The chemical reek threatened to overwhelm her. A turning knob snapped her gaze toward the door. She pushed into the corner. Memories of her nightmare surfaced, and her brain misfired.