His Darkest Salvation (Jaguar Warriors 3)

Finn nodded, his vivid blue eyes striking as they bored into her. “Castille is looking a little worse for wear.”

Finn Knightly had been sent her way from Jaxon’s unit in Canada. After the shit that had gone down in Belize, Jaxon Castille had been made aware of her undercover status. She ran her own operation but had helped out on several occasions when Jaxon had requested it.

“I don’t think he was holidaying anywhere we’d want to be,” she answered quietly.

Nico snorted loudly, but they both ignored him.

“He give anything up?” Finn arched a brow as he looked up at her.

“No. If he knows where the portal is, he wasn’t sharing.” Jaden exhaled slowly. “Did your contacts have any information?”

Finn shook his head. “Same old. The chatter is loud, shit is gonna hit soon, but no one seems to know where or when.” He smiled up at her though the weariness that clung to him shadowed his features. “No rest for the wicked.”

“No,” she murmured, “there won’t be rest for any of us until this is finished.” She nodded. “Contact Jaxon at PATU when we get back and see what he’s got. Fill him in on our status.” She paused, and whispered softly, “He should know that his brother lives.”

“Will do.” Finn settled into his seat and looked away. The eagle shifter had always been somewhat aloof; they were, after all, natural enemies, but lately it had been worse.

Things had changed, the game had progressed. They all knew the end was near. Jaden slipped into her chair and exhaled loudly. She just wanted it to be over.

“Buckle up, we’re due to taxi to the runway in one minute.”

Her pilot’s voice drifted through the speakers, and she secured the lap belt as she turned to the window. Outside, the vast darkness that blanketed the area looked beautiful as the lights of the city sparkled like diamonds. How deceptive, she thought. She knew what the darkness hid, what evil was out there watching and waiting for the chance to infect her world.

As she settled into her seat her insides twisted. An ominous feeling of dread pressed into her. The tide had turned. She could feel it.

Julian and Declan were back, by what means she didn’t know, but one thing was clear—the shifter was definitely off center. Wherever the hell he’d been had done damage.

There was no way she could trust him. Besides, the man could barely look at her. She clenched her teeth until her jaw ached and as she stared at her reflection in the glass, she made a vow to not care.

There was no time for soft feelings and regret. She had a mission to accomplish, and no one was getting between her and the portal.

Not even the man she called mate.

Chapter 5

Humid air swept across cool tiles and pulled at a melancholy anchored deep within, one that was long forgotten. Julian stopped and let the memory of it, the feel of it, wash over him.

The scent of the jungle tantalized his nose, caressed his skin, and slid over him. He felt it, the mystery and magic that lay in the surrounding area, and his jaguar chomped at the bit, wanting nothing more than to shed the cloak of humanity that held him back.

He’d been back in Mexico for several hours and had just arrived at the Night Sky Casino and Resort. The place was impressive, to say the least, covering several miles of prime coastland deep within the heart of the Mayan Riviera. It was a virtual paradise on earth.

He snorted. Yeah, the DaCosta crime family had done a bang-up job building one of the premier luxury resorts in the area. His eyes narrowed. Blood money. The family was rank to the core and this . . . this place of beauty and tranquility was nothing more than a big fucking hoax.

Like the shades that had lingered below in the filth of the demon realm, with their phantom skin. None of it was real.

His gaze strayed to the hordes of new arrivals, and he felt disgust. Business was good.

He tipped his driver and grabbed the small bag he’d brought along for the trip, before entering the main lobby area. Within seconds, he knew where every security camera was located and was careful to stay out of their line of sight as he made his way over to the bar just beyond reception.

The place was busy, but he had no problem grabbing a spot at the bar and ordered a double whiskey while he waited.

As he let the amber liquid burn down his throat, his mind wandered back to the one face that had haunted him for the last twenty-four hours. Jaden DaCosta.

He exhaled sharply and ordered another drink, ignoring the interest from the blonde who sat a few feet away.

His thoughts darkened, and he frowned. He didn’t know what Jaden’s agenda was, but he sure as hell didn’t believe one word that fell from her lips. How could he? She was a DaCosta.

Nervous energy had him itching to leave, but he forced himself to relax. He needed to keep a cool head.