Dark Flame (Flame 3)

In an orchestrated and very quick manner, Brannick moved to the man closest to the key box and Fergus to the other fae warrior, who were both rising to their feet. They repeated the strikes of the weapons, and the other two guards fell to the floor.

Brannick gestured for Juliet to come in.

She levitated to the key box and fished out the correct key, then flew down the corridor. She took her time unlocking the door, intending to keep the noise down to a minimum just in case for some reason she could be heard.

Fergus was right behind her and as soon as the door was open, he moved in and picked Mary up in his arms.

That’s when things went haywire, though Juliet didn’t at first have a clue what was happening.

The moment Fergus held Mary against his chest, he lifted his head back and howled. With the woman pressed against his chest, his mating cycle must have kicked into high gear. The sound reverberated down the line of cells.

Brann, I don’t know what to do. I think you’d better take care of this.

I’m on it. Come out of the cell.

Juliet tossed the key on the bed, slipped past Fergus and entered the hallway. Brannick immediately went inside, then caught Fergus’s face in his hands.

Fergus became as rigid as a pole, though his mane of hair shook in an odd way. At first she thought he was fighting Brannick. Then she realized Fergus was forcing himself to regain his self-control.

Juliet glanced at Mary’s inert form, her head pressed against Fergus’s shoulder. The shifter’s long hair brushed Mary’s cheek where the drug’s teal flame marked her face.

Juliet wanted to help but didn’t know what to do. She kept glancing toward the head of the aisle. Fortunately no other guards had shown up yet, but she knew it wouldn’t be long.

When Fergus’s shaking didn’t stop, Juliet felt compelled to return to the cell and put both her hands on his face as well.

He drew a sharp intake of breath and slid his gaze to her, his eyes wide. He blinked several times in a row, then dipped his chin. Just like that, the trembling ceased.

When he started to look back down at Mary, Brannick caught his chin and held it upright. He engaged in group telepathy once more. No, Fergus. Don’t look at her. We’ve got to get out of here. Your roar was heard everywhere.

Fergus scowled heavily. Shit. I lost control.

Don’t think about that now. Let’s just get the women to safety.

Juliet moved out of the cell once more, and Brannick followed her. Fergus emerged with Mary cradled in his arms.

Juliet could feel the profound shield that Brannick held over all three of them now, while she kept her own disguise in place as well.

Roche’s voice intruded. “I can smell you, Juliet. You’re here, aren’t you? You must have Mary as well since the door to her cell is wide open.”

She turned around. Roche stood at the top of the row of cells with a formidable force arrayed on each side of him, at least a dozen fae warriors.

As he lifted an AR-15, Juliet followed her instincts and moved like she never had before. She didn’t even have time to warn Brannick, because she knew it was now or never.

She levitated and flew fast, then took herself to a horizontal position close to the ceiling though only two feet above Roche.

When she drew close, she used a maneuver built into her because she shared Brannick’s memories. She turned herself on her back, brought her feet up tight and as she got within inches of Roche’s smiling face, she kicked him hard. He flew against the wall behind him, and dropped his rifle at the same time. His warriors backed away.

She didn’t stay in place long. Instead, she remained levitating high above the men and stretched out horizontal once more. This time, she flew past the recovering guards and into the hall. She couldn’t do anything to help Brannick or the others and could only hope they’d follow her lead. For that reason she continued to fly, though she dropped into a vertical position halfway down the narrow street.

Brannick’s voice entered in her head. We’re right behind you, Juliet, so keep flying as fast as you are. Damn, but that was an incredible move. You looked like you’d been doing this your entire life.

With the passageway empty in front her for fifty feet, she glanced back. Brannick, along with Fergus holding Mary in his arms, were flying swiftly and gaining on her.

She focused her attention dead on and flew even faster. She knew Roche would be behind them, and that he wouldn’t give up without a fight.

She had to do something.

Brann, I’m contacting Officer Keelen for back-up.