Well, it was worth a try. “I’ll inform Benjamin and the others about Terre’s location.” Karma hated for this interlude of happiness to end, but at least she’d had the best night of her entire life. That could never be taken away from her. “Were you able to use a human to travel there?”
“No,” Linda sighed. “I’m burning my own energy and making myself even weaker. I can’t do this for much longer.”
Karma rubbed a spot over her heart. “Was there absolutely no mention of the girls by Terre or Dayne?”
Linda shook her head. “None. They’re not concerned with the girls, so our children could be at any of the strongholds. Her voice grew hushed, and panic sizzled in her eyes. “We have to hurry.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Benny sheathed an ankle pistol in his left boot while scrutinizing the area on the screen. “The Kurjans have gotten good at setting up camp quickly, haven’t they?” Learning from Karma and Linda that the enemy knew of the Seven’s access to satellites, especially which particular satellites, pissed him off.
“We need our own satellite,” Garrett said grimly, tucking a knife at his waist.
Logan circled several areas on a map. “If they’ve had time to plant mines, this is where I’d put them.” He studied the printout. “Here, too.” He made another circle.
Mercy stared at the printout. “There’s a weakness to the east between those two areas of forest. If they haven’t planted mines there, they’ll have a couple of extra patrols stationed.” She leaned over and tapped an area to the north. “This is where I’d go in. It’s steep and hard to get to, so they won’t have it covered as well.”
Benny angled his neck to study the map. “Agreed.” His adrenaline began flowing freely, and his body settled into battle mode. “We can get there in under an hour, and a full-day assault would be best.”
Garrett rolled his shoulders, looking ready to do damage in his black cargo pants, black shirt, and combat boots. His eyes were a calm iron-infused gray. “Even though the Kurjans have developed the ability to go into the sun, we don’t know how long they can fight during the daylight. Let’s test them if we get the chance.”
Benny eyed the storm outside. The rain had already started. “It might be sunny there, but I doubt it. We’re not that far away.” He hadn’t given much thought yet to the fact that the Kurjans could venture into the sun. Research was the business of scientists. His job was as a soldier, and fighting he knew. “Sam could be in bad shape.” There was even a possibility that he was dead, but it was doubtful. The Kurjans did not know that Sam was the keeper of the final ritual location, or they hadn’t up until now. “You think Sam withstood the torture?”
“Of course,” Logan said, reaching for another jagged-edged knife. His jaw was set, and dark emotion swirled in his green eyes. “Sam would never tell them about being the keeper of the ritual.”
Yeah. That fact would probably get Sam killed. Garrett looked over at Logan. “Are you sure you don’t want to let Zane know what’s happened before we go?”
“I’m sure,” Logan said grimly. “The three of us can infiltrate a temporary Kurjan stronghold.”
Well, that was true. Benny rolled his shoulders back, loosening up. “Agreed. If we call in Zane, the entire demon nation will descend on the Kurjans and start a war none of us is ready for. The shifters have withdrawn from the Realm, the witches are close, and even many vampire strongholds are pissed at the king for accepting the Seven.”
“And none of them really know what we’re doing,” Garrett agreed. “We can handle this. Sam will probably need medical assistance. We need to get Faith Cooper back here as soon as possible.”
“I’ll reach out,” Mercy said, her face pinched. “You guys concentrate on the Kurjans and the Cyst. Those guys are so creepy.” She double-checked the innocuous-looking skin on Logan’s forearm. “I hope this new technology works as expected.”
Benny winced. “When does anything work as expected?” They’d be lucky if they didn’t blow themselves up.
Garrett rubbed his neck. “Good point. The Cyst concern me. They’re gearing up fast, and they’re gonna be ready to fight.”
The Cyst were excellent fighters. “I’ll fly,” Benjamin said, truly missing the days when he could teleport. When Quade and Ronan had returned from the bubble worlds where they’d stood guard over Ulric, something had shifted in the world, and demons and hybrids could no longer teleport. Neither could fairies, and sometimes Mercy looked like she’d lost a part of herself. “Let’s take the Bluehawk.” It was faster and smaller than the other helicopters.
Garrett eyed him. “Fine, but let’s not hit any trees this time.”
It wasn’t a decent flight if Benny didn’t buzz trees. “Fine.” He turned to stride out of the COMM room to let Mercy and Logan have a private goodbye. He stopped cold in the living area, where Karma waited, her hair piled on top of her head and her pretty green skirt looking out of place on this dismal day. It hit him then. He had somebody to say goodbye to, as well. “Hi.”
She blushed a lovely pink. “Hi.” After she’d reported on what Linda had said, Karma had returned to Benny’s house to shower and prepare for the day. Her hair was still wet, and she had marks on her neck from his whiskers. “Please be careful.”
“I will.” He reached out to her, and she instantly buried herself in his arms, her face against his chest.
“Um, about what I said,” Karma started. “I haven’t had relations in a long time, and I may have been overcome.”
Was that true? He didn’t want to take advantage of her, but he wanted her again already. Would it be so bad for her to love him? He wasn’t into love, but he’d protect her with everything he had. That meant something. He didn’t know what to do right now. She definitely deserved better than him. “We can talk about that later.”
She softened against him, her voice muffled. “I hope Sam is all right.”
“He will be.” The Kyllwood family was tough and had dealt with worse through the years. “I’ll do my best to find the location of your twins.” If possible, he’d bring a prisoner home with him so they’d have time to question thoroughly. “We’ll find them, Karma. I promise.”
She leaned back, her face pale. “I know. They must be so scared. Please tell them I love them.”
Benny’s throat heated and his lungs expanded. Fury tried to take him, and he banished the emotion. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of them.”