There was no immediate response, and I can't really say I blamed her.
"Cass," I screamed. "The men are down, Directorate reinforcements are almost here, and I've been shot. I really, really need your help."
"They're three minutes away," Jack said into my ear.
Really? I thought, a little dazedly. Cole was really pushing the speed limits.
The numbness was beginning to creep up my neck. Breathing was getting harder. Oh god. I couldn't die - I didn't want to die. Not like this.
Strength flooded me - a strength that was love and warmth and everything that was still right with my world. It battered the numbness away from my neck, allowing me to breathe a little easier. It didn't erase it - it couldn't erase it - just subverted it, sending it down toward my legs rather than into my chest and throat. It bought me time, and I needed that desperately.
You will not die, Riley, Quinn said. I won't allow it. Keep breathing. Keep fighting. I'm on my way.
No, I thought weakly. Don't. I'll be fine.
And even as I said it, I knew he'd ignore me. And part of me was mighty glad of that fact.
After a few more precious seconds, footsteps echoed on the stairs, heading down.
"Riley?" Cass's voice was tentative, as if she were ready to flee given the slightest provocation.
"Here," I croaked.
Her head appeared in my line of sight, but it was fuzzy. Or maybe it was just my eyesight that was fuzzy. Her gaze widened when she saw me, and her face went white.
"Oh god," she said, one hand over her mouth.
"Yeah," I said. "He was using silver bullets. I need you to take it out."
"Two minutes," Jack intoned. "Hang on."
Cass drew in a shuddering breath and said "I can't - "
"You can," I interrupted harshly. "You must."
I put the gun down on the floor. My hand was shaking far too hard now for it to be safe.
She made a distressed sound low in her throat, then took another breath. "I'll get Marla. She's better at - ">As she scrambled to obey, I headed for the door. There was a blue silk dressing gown hanging from a hook near the door, so I grabbed that and put it on - more to blend in than to cover my partial nakedness. Then I pressed my back to the door frame and switched on the com-link.
"Jack, we have shots fired at the brothel. Something's gone wrong."
"Did they spot you coming in or out?"
"I'd say no except for the fact that they're back here and shooting. Maybe there were some security systems that weren't taken out by the power outage."
"And maybe they got wind of us tracking down Surrey and are now erasing all possible leads back to them. And that would mean the phone number Surrey knew, and possibly anyone who knows its location."
"That's pretty cold-blooded."
"And so are your targets."
He probably had that right. I took a quick glance around the corner. Shadows and sunshine vied for prominence in the hallway. The door down the end of the hall was still closed, but as I looked, a bolt slammed home. The occupants had obviously heard the shots - not that a bolt would stop a determined shifter. I glanced over my shoulder to ensure Cass couldn't be seen, then edged out into the hallway.
There were people running up the stairs and others running for the rear of the building. The air was thick with the smell of fear and blood, but at least the screaming had stopped. But although there were no more gunshots, those men were still down there. I could smell the wolf, as he could no doubt smell me. Hopefully, he'd just think I was working here. It might be unusual for a wolf to work in a brothel, but it wasn't unheard of.
They were obviously going after their main target first, and that had to be the owner, the man who'd rented them the room. Anyone else they'd take care of when and if they had the time.
I reached the banister and took a quick glance down. Two half-dressed women were fleeing up the stairs, and several yards behind them ran a man wearing a lot of gold jewelry. Behind them all, one flight down, was the blond bird-shifter with the gun. His movements were calm, assured. Maybe he knew there was no way out up here - other than jumping out a window. And if anyone who didn't have wings attempted that from this height