The Dark

by Cheyenne McCray

  Jake turned his attention from the Fae who had, miraculously, just appeared.

  Blood pounded in his heart and veins like liquid fire. His arms burned from slashes.

  He slipped in the mud and winced when he rammed his elbow into one of the park’s huge metal trash cans.

  Water continuously splashed his face whenever a Stormcutter materialized from a funnel. He’d learned to ignore the surge of water in his eyes, nose, and mouth when a Stormcutter came to a stop. He went for the being just as the thing fully formed, before it had a chance to attack.

  Jake tried to work his way back toward where he and Cassia had been fighting together, but the Stormcutters pressed him farther away. Almost as if intentionally separating them.

  Maybe that’s what Darkwolf was doing.

  Without Cassia’s blazing fire to turn the rain to steam above him, rain drenched him, leaking beneath his Kevlar vest and T-shirt, and into his boots.

  The sour smell of the Stormcutters would have nauseated him if he wasn’t so filled with rage that he wanted to tear each and every one of the bastards apart—personally.

  Where’s Cassia? He couldn’t see her magical fire due to the height of the funnels flowing around the Alliance and the Marines.

  The back of Jake’s upper thighs hit the low fence of one of the marsh’s wildlife protection areas. He almost flipped over the chain-link fence and into the bushes. He recovered by throwing himself forward and burying his dagger in one Stormcutter’s heart while shooting another Stormcutter in the head with his Glock.

  On the edge of the battle, Jake spotted Silver as she used her spellfire to take down Stormcutters and Blades.

  Jake was thankful to see Silver’s husband, the D’Danann warrior, beside her. He beheaded Stormcutters one after another with smooth strokes of his sword.

  Silver was an incredibly talented and strong witch, and it had been declared she had fully recovered from being poisoned. However, the fact that she was pregnant made it difficult for anyone to want to let her fight, especially not alone.

  There’d been no holding Silver back, though. Like she’d said more than once, “I was there at the beginning. I will be there at the end.”

  Jake’s thoughts about Silver were brief since he had to focus on keeping his own head on his shoulders, and his heart beating without an ice dagger sticking out of it.

  Fire shot up ahead and to Jake’s right, the flames lapping the storm-filled sky. Magical, glittering flames. The fire came from the northwest and, judging by how far out the flames were, they were approximately in the vicinity of the shoreline.

  Cassia. It had to be her sending him a message.

  Kael howled from the same direction.

  Messages received.

  He was so certain it was both of them that relief gave him renewed strength to fight off Stormcutters and work his way in the direction of the signals.

  His arms burned from countless lacerations and he realized his thigh hurt like a sonofabitch. He glanced down briefly to see a Stormcutter ice dagger protruding from his thigh. With one hand still on his Glock, he snapped the blade of the ice dagger, leaving the tip in to keep from losing too much blood. He immediately let the rest of the ice dagger drop to the sodden grass while bringing his weapon up to shoot another Stormcutter.

  Jake gritted his teeth as he blocked another Stormcutter blade with his own. He shot a second Stormcutter even faster than he thought he was capable of.

  A couple of explosions rocked the night to his left, and huge black clouds roiled above red and yellow flames. Even though his heart jumped, he knew at once the explosions likely came from nearby vehicles. He’d seen cars parked along the road and across from the field in front of one of the many buildings that lined the southern side of Crissy Field.

  It was tough going, but determination drove Jake to get to Cassia. His heart thundered like he was running a marathon, racing against a clock. Something inside Jake told him that her life and his depended on him reaching her.

  Hell, this whole battle rested on the two of them getting to Darkwolf. He knew it in his gut.

  Just when his spine tingled with concern that he wouldn’t reach Cassia in time, more magical flames punctured the sky, followed by Kael’s howl. Again the fire came from the shoreline, only farther north.

  He’d worked his way far enough northwest that he was closer now than he’d been when he’d first seen the flames.

  Not much farther and he’d reach the shore.

  The pain in his thigh was merely an irritation as Jake jabbed, shot, kicked, and hit his way through the battle. He spotted fellow officers doing the same.

  Jake almost stumbled over Lieutenant Fredrickson’s body. His friend’s sightless eyes stared up at the stormy sky while rain pummeled his body.

  Such rage seared Jake, it was like boiling oil in his veins. He let out a shout of fury that rivaled any Elvin or Fae warrior battle cry.

  Goddamn. Not Fredrickson.

  Jake ground his teeth. Yes, he would kill Darkwolf himself.

  If it wasn’t for that “fucking up the balance of all Otherworlds” bull, that was.

  Goddamnit. He’d have to settle for Cassia sending the duo-god away. Hopefully to Underworld.

  Jake tore into more of Darkwolf’s army, battling through rain, funnel water, and Stormcutter flesh.

  He finally made it over the promenade and fought his way closer and closer to the shore.

  Another burst of flames speared the darkness at the same time lightning spread like veins beneath the clouds, and he glimpsed Cassia with Kael at her side. They were a lot farther ahead of him now. At least he was almost to the shoreline.

  He ground his teeth as he fought with all his might to get to Cassia. He passed Hannah, who battled beside her husband, Garran. With spellfire, she obliterated the heads of some of the Stormcutters while Garran used his sword to decapitate others.

  The remaining gray witches didn’t hold back from killing evil beings either. It was obvious they knew that to end this war they were going to have to go beyond their beliefs and do what was necessary to save millions of lives.

  When Jake’s boots hit sand he found a break in the Stormcutters, and saw a clear view of the shoreline and the waves slamming the beach.

  He slashed through the two closest Stormcutters and made a break for the shore where it was clear of the bastards.

  Funnels whirled after him but he kept running. His boots pounded the sand as he bolted westward, in the direction the fire had come from.

  Jake searched the darkness with his gaze as he ran. Flames whooshed up and he caught a glimpse of Cassia and Kael ahead, Cassia jogging in the water while Kael loped beside her. Stormcutters whirled just out of reach of the waves.

  It dawned on him that the Stormcutters must not be able to cross into saltwater. Immediately, he ran the several steps that took him into the waves.

  A glance over his shoulder confirmed it—the Stormcutters that had been following him stayed on the shore, their funnels whirling along the sand beside him like an escort instead of beings intent on killing him.

  Saltwater caused the slashes on his arms to burn and the wound in his thigh to throb enough that he ground his teeth to bite back some of the pain.

  A wave slammed into him so hard it almost drove him to the sand. He kept to his feet and continued running after Cassia, trying not to limp as he pressed on.

  Damn, she was limping too. But she was still so far ahead of him. How would he catch her attention?

  Jake glanced at the Glock in his right hand. He looked out at the water as he continued to run and waited for lightning to give him a clear view.

  As soon as he was certain there would be nothing in the bullets’ path, he shot his Glock over the water three times in rapid succession.

  Cassia flung up more flames, illuminating her slim form as she glanced over her shoulder. Even at a distance he caught her relieved expression, and she came to a stop to wait for him.

  Jak
e’s own relief lessened the burn in his wounds, as well as the deep, aching throb in his thigh. Water sloshed his feet. The waves, plus the fact he was running in water, made it hard to maintain a steady pace.

  When he finally reached Cassia, she cried out, “Jake!” and flung her arms around his neck.

  He hugged her close and kissed the top of her wet head.

  “I was so damn worried. Even though I know you can kick anyone’s ass.”

  She gave an exhausted and humorless laugh as she looked out at the wharf. “We’ll see about that.”

  Jake glanced at her leg. She was favoring her knee. “What happened?”

  “Oh.” Cassia slid her arms away from his neck and braced her now glowing palms on her knee. “That should help. I can’t fully heal it—that would use too much of my power.”

  Jake hugged her again. “You’ll be okay?”

  She nodded.

  “I know you can kick as much ass as Cassia,” Jake said over her shoulder to Kael, who had a glint, like a spark of approval, in his eyes.

  The pause only lasted the briefest of moments, urgency pulling them in the westward direction. Jake shoved his dagger into its sheath, but clenched his other fist around the Glock’s grip.

  Still favoring her knee, Cassia took him by his free hand and they started running again. Stormcutter funnels spun, ever present on the sand several feet away. Kael bounded ahead of Cassia and Jake.

  As much as he tried, he couldn’t help limping a little, too, from the pain in his thigh. The wound was deep, but the rain darkening his clothing and the fact that it was night made it difficult to tell if he was bleeding.

  Not that it really mattered, unless the blade had melted and he lost too much blood. As long as he had enough strength to remain conscious, get the job done, and take care of Darkwolf, it all would be worth it.

  They ran so long and hard, Jake was amazed they managed it with both of them injured. The array gun bounced at his side and he hoped to hell it was rainproof.

  The men who’d taken his design and made it come to life had worked their asses off. One of their goals had been to make it resistant to the rain.

  When more lightning illuminated the sky, he spotted the long L-shaped wharf ahead. “Are we headed for Torpedo Wharf?”

  “I think so.” Cassia didn’t slow her pace. “He’s calling to me.”

  Dread hit Jake’s gut like a lead ball. “What do you mean?”

  “He senses me.” Her wet hair slapped her face when she shook her head. “Maybe Alyssa told him about me. That I’m fully Elvin, and the other things I shared with my Coven sisters.”

  For a moment Jake remained quiet as rain barraged them and he and Cassia splashed through waves. Their funnel guard kept up with them on their left.

  Jake slowed. “He’s set a trap.”

  “I’m certain, and Kael agrees.” Cassia eased her pace, too, because they were still holding hands. “But it’s the only way I can think of to get close to him.”

  Jake glanced at the wolf and looked back at Cassia. “What do you mean, Kael agrees?”

  “We have a mental connection.” Cassia looked up at him, rain rolling down her face. “I really haven’t had time to tell you. Kael and I have been able to speak to each other in our minds since the moment I could form a thought.”

  “No kidding?” Jake said.

  Cassia smiled, and he swore Kael rolled his eyes.

  They all came to a walk as they neared the pier. Thunder seemed louder here, the lightning more intense.

  In the next burst of lightning, Jake spotted three figures at the very end of the L-shaped wharf that jutted out pretty far into the bay.

  His heart pounded harder at the realization that the culmination of everything could come down to whatever happened now.

  “There are three people on the wharf.” He narrowed his eyes. “Darkwolf, Elizabeth-Junga…”

  “And Alyssa,” Cassia added in a voice so low he barely heard it in the midst of the battle roar and the rampaging storm.

  Cassia, Jake, and Kael stopped at the foot of the pier and stared at the three people—beings—who stared back at them.

  “This is it.” Cassia squeezed Jake’s hand as they stepped onto the wharf and Kael loped behind them.

  In silence they walked farther down the pier.

  “What’s our plan again?” Jake muttered over the din they were leaving behind, and Cassia laughed.

  The pleasant sound of her laughter, no matter how strained and nervous, brought warmth to his insides. He stopped her and pulled her close, not caring for that moment what was waiting for them at the end of the wharf.

  “I love you, Cassia.” He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her softly. “We’re going to get out of this. You, me, and everyone else.”

  She nodded and kissed him back. “I know.”

  But were either of them really certain they would bring this all to an end tonight? That San Francisco and its people would be safe, and Darkwolf would be history?

  That he and Cassia would make it out alive?

  More than anything, other than stopping this war, he wanted to spend a long, happy life with Cassia. But he’d die for her. He’d die for the people in his city.

  Every hair on Jake’s body stood on end.

  Kael gave a warning howl.

  A bolt of lightning cracked the air.

  The blast rocked the wharf.

  Wood, water, and sand exploded into the air.

  Purple lightning hit the pier close to the shore.

  The impact was so massive Jake and Cassia each lost their balance.

  Cassia screamed as she swung off the edge of the pier.

  Jake lunged for her and caught her fingertips even as his head spun and sound dulled.

  The wharf rocked as if the entire thing might crumble and collapse into the bay. His fingertips were numb and he wondered if he still had a grip on her.

  “Hold on,” he shouted and could hardly hear himself due to the near deafness caused by the lightning. “Don’t let go!”

  The smell of burning ozone, crude oil, wood, and burned hair barely registered through the haze in his mind.

  Shit. It was oral sex with Cassia all over again.

  Without the fun.

  A whoosh of flames erupted not far from them.

  Purple lightning. Purple fire. Darkwolf’s magic.

  They had to get away from the purple fire that scrabbled along the pier in their direction from behind.

  Darkwolf was herding them in.

  Jake hadn’t realized Kael was beside him. The wolf clamped Cassia’s T-shirt in his jaws and pulled at the same time Jake fought to draw her up by her hands.

  When they got Cassia onto the wharf, she and Jake were coughing from the smoke. Jake had a strange desire to lie down and sleep, but he jerked Cassia up with him. With Kael behind, they ran from the advancing flames.

  He glanced over his shoulder. The wharf now burned and smoldered with purple fire where they’d been standing only moments before. The pier was now completely separated from the shore by at least twenty feet.

  Blood thrumming in his ears and heart, Jake snapped his gaze in the direction Darkwolf was standing. In a quick flicker of lightning, Jake clearly saw the warlock-god, along with the two women standing next to him.

  Darkwolf wasn’t moving and he had his arms crossed over his chest. It was a little too far, and the lightning had flashed too quickly to tell for sure, but Jake swore Darkwolf was smirking.

  Why wouldn’t he be? He was a duo-god, for fuck’s sake.

  Jake shook his head as if he might hear better just by doing that. His legs and arms trembled from the lightning hitting so close, and he saw that Cassia trembled, too.

  “So, he’s cut off our way out of here, if we wanted to make a quick change of plans,” Jake said as he glanced at the purple fire eating the wood behind them. He looked back to Cassia. “Not that we had any intention of doing that.”

  She stared at where D
arkwolf stood. “He could have done it to keep anyone from helping us.”

  “He can blast us with his magic any time he wants to.” Jake gripped his Glock tighter, wishing they were within range so he’d have a clear shot at Darkwolf. Yeah, he’d like to plug Darkwolf in the head with a bullet instead of worrying about containing him.

  As if she read his mind. Cassia looked up at him. “Remember, we can’t kill him because—”

  “It’ll upset the goddamned balance between Otherworlds,” Jake said in a low growl.

  Cassia gave a deep sigh. “If he hadn’t sucked up the power of two Underworld gods, it wouldn’t be a problem.’’

  Jake grunted but kept his grip on his weapon. “That doesn’t mean I can’t shoot him in the kneecaps. That’ll make it easier to use the array gun.”

  She gave a weak smile as she glanced back at the warlock-god, who remained motionless at the end of the wharf.

  “Unless Alyssa told him, Darkwolf doesn’t know we have a means of easy escape with my ability to transport us,” Cassia said. “And we’re going to get to him faster than he expects.”

  Jake’s stomach churned. “Let’s do it.”

  Cassia grabbed his free hand at the same time she clutched Kael’s fur and they entered total blackness.

  Using the transference, Cassia brought them within a few feet of Darkwolf, who jerked his head toward them with a shocked expression. Thank Anu Jake recovered from the transference immediately.

  Cassia threw a spell toward Darkwolf and the two women in a desperate attempt to capture them, but his duo-god powers allowed him to react with unbelievable speed. He flung up a glittering shield.

  Her magic rebounded and belted her, Jake, and Kael. Jake and Cassia stumbled back, but she instantly surrounded them in a cocoon that caught them from behind and protected the three of them from all sides. She counted on the shielding to block Darkwolf’s powers no matter what magic he used.

  She hoped.

  “This needs to end now, Darkwolf.” Cassia kept her voice steady. She refused to look at Alyssa as she spoke to Darkwolf.

  Just the briefest thought of what Alyssa was and what she had done made Cassia’s heart hurt. “Don’t do this.”