She held the dagger tight and leapt forward, striking the iron as hard as she could. The force of the hit reverberated along her forearm and she barely managed to hold on to the dagger.
It didn’t do a thing.
“Dammit!”
“The key is over there.”
“What?” Ana looked at the boy, not impressed with the grin that now swept over his face.
“The key for the chain is on that table.” He nodded behind her.
Ana whirled around. Smart-ass.
She retrieved the key and seconds later freed the teenagers.
“I’m Daniel,” the boy said. “This is Alex but she doesn’t talk much.”
“Ana.” She glanced behind her, worry for Declan weighing her down. She felt a shift in the air.
“Oh crap,” Daniel muttered.
Ana turned to the boy. “What’s happening?” Alex was trembling, her slight form shivering madly, and she was unable to hold the sob that escaped her tight lips. This could not be good.
“She’s back.” Daniel’s eyes were wide, his lips thinned. “Lilith.”
Ana had a moment—a second of thought that said she was never getting her ass out of this hellhole. Her side ached and the need to feed was pinching hard. She’d lost a lot of blood. She could hear the hellhounds behind her stirring and that galvanized her into action.
“Let’s go.” She looked at both of them. “This is the only shot we’re going to get so you need to listen to me. Stay close and do exactly what I say.” She arched a brow. “We clear?”
Daniel nodded, his hand slipped into Alex’s. The girl flinched but didn’t pull away. Ana was worried about her. She seemed off, her mind in another place. She eyed Daniel. “You need to keep her in line. There’s no room for error.” Ana squared her shoulders and turned. “Let’s go.”
She felt the presence of Lilith. Her power was undeniable, her lust overwhelming.
And Lilith was gunning for her man.
They slid through the shadows, melting into the dullness of it as they headed toward Declan. Ana sensed him, could feel his anger, frustration.
Muffled voices wavered in the air and became clearer as the seconds ticked by. She was so intent upon them that she nearly stepped on a large, writhing lump of demon. If not for the whispered warning from Daniel she would have.
Without pause, Ana struck swiftly, slicing through bone and tissue. A guttural gasp escaped and then whatever the hell it was lay still.
Score another for the vampire.
She paused, her thoughts swirling madly. She knew she should take the teens out, get them back to the forest, but she couldn’t leave Declan.
She wouldn’t.
Ana turned and bent low so that her face was inches from Daniel. He held Alex’s hand tightly and though the girl was taller than him it was clear his courage was holding her up.
She shoved the dagger into his free hand, took a moment to gather her bearings as best she could, and whispered softly, “Wait by the door. It’s several feet to your left. If anything comes close, use this, all right? I can’t leave without Declan.”
Daniel blinked, a frown falling upon his face. “The sorcerer? He’s here?”
“You were expecting him?” A fresh dose of unease punched her in the gut and Ana clenched her teeth tightly.
> Daniel shook his head. “No, but Lilith talks about him a lot.” He glanced at Alex before his wide gaze rested upon hers again. “Like he’s her . . .”
Ana blanched at the teen’s words. “Her what?”