Honor, Juliet, and Nessa came out of the store, all carrying a multitude of shopping bags.
Bear moved away from the shoes, and Garrett returned with a couple of food bags in his hands.
Honor marched up to Sam and handed over his credit card. “I can buy my own clothing. But thanks.” Her sweet smile softened the rebuke.
“We done?” Bear asked, the frown on his rugged face suggesting that they were done.
Nessa nodded. “Juliet is getting a migraine, so we need to go back.”
Juliet had paled a little. “My medicine is back in the tent. I’m sorry about this.”
“Let’s go.” Bear took the packages from Nessa. “Buy anything fun?”
The witch cocked him with her hip. “You’ll have to see later.”
Sam reached for Honor’s bags, but she drew them away. “I’ve got them.” Hmm. Independent little thing, wasn’t she?
Juliet put her hand to her forehead. “Oh, crap.” She blinked several times. “Do you guys mind if we pop into the pharmacy? I saw one at the back of the mall. I need something now.”
Garrett handed the food sacks to Sam and took her shopping bags, sliding an arm over her shoulders. “No problem. Come on—there’s a shortcut right here.”
Honor walked beside Sam and winced.
“You okay?” he asked, fighting the urge to take her bags.
“Yes,” she replied.
He looked down at her hand. “What the hell?” Slight burn marks marred her thumb and wrist.
She winced and leaned toward him to whisper, “I don’t know. The fire has returned, and I’m not sure why. You?”
“Same.” Irritation clawed at him. Had having sex just opened the floodgates for the fire and the dimensions? They had to figure this out before she really was harmed. “Let’s get some ointment at the pharmacy.” Garrett and Juliet walked outside, and Sam held the door open for everyone before following.
In a second, he realized his mistake.
They were in the back area of the mall with a truck and trailer in front of them. Warning zinged through the air. “Take cover.” Sam grabbed Honor and yanked her behind him just as twin squads of Kurjan soldiers came around the trailer from each end, all armed with deadly weapons pointed at the group. Twelve against four, and Bear was already pushing Nessa behind him, growling furiously.
Twelve against three.
The passenger side door of the truck opened, and a Cyst general emerged. He smiled, showing sharp-as-razor canines. “Afternoon.” His gaze encompassed the entire group. “Now would be a good time, Juliet.”
Sam partially turned to see Juliet holding a glowing green gun against Garrett’s neck.
Well, shit.
* * * *
Honor’s body shook uncontrollably, and a cold sweat broke out over her skin. Her hands felt numb. What were these people? The two squads wore military-style clothing with silver medals and many weapons, but she’d never seen anything like them. Most had black hair tipped with red, while others had red hair tipped with black. But their faces. Stark white with purple or red eyes. She forced herself to deal with reality and not pretend this wasn’t happening. How could they be real? They were all nearly seven feet tall and looked impressively fit. Horrifyingly dangerous.
In the midst of this terrifying horde, their obvious leader stood out. He was bigger and broader than the others, and one strip of white hair bisected his scalp in a braid that extended down his back. His eyes were a light purple tinged with red rims. There was no doubt he was in charge.
Slowly, Honor turned her head to look at Juliet with the weird-looking green gun pressed up against Garrett’s neck.
She couldn’t move. Terror caught her hard as tension hit her from every direction.
“What’s the plan here?” Sam asked, almost casually.
The white-haired guy flashed yellowish teeth with sharp fangs. “We want the Kayrs. That’s it. We go, no fight, you all live.”
Garrett smiled. “Sure. Sounds like fun. I’d love to vacation with the Kurjans and Cysts.”
“No,” Sam said. “Not happening…General.”
So the medals were some sort of military designation. The general didn’t seem put out by the denial. Instead, his shoulders went back. Then his head tilted. His sharp gaze shot right to her. He inhaled.
Sam growled.
The general’s chest filled. “What do we have here?”
Honor fought the desperate urge to run.
“My, but she’s a strong one. I apologize and must implement a new plan. I want the Kayrs and the Enhanced female. We’re making a collection of them, you know,” the general said.
Honor shuddered.
“Garrett?” Sam said calmly.
“Yep,” Garrett answered.
Then Sam partially turned, looked at Juliet, and smiled.
The woman’s eyes widened, and she screamed, dropping the gun to grab her head and fall to the asphalt. Before Sam could take advantage, two soldiers jumped onto the trailer from the other side, shooting arrows. The arrows rapidly flew through the air, slicing through Bear’s neck as he began to charge. Blood spurted in every direction, and he dropped to the ground.
Nessa screamed, the sound full of fury and pain. Fire hovered over her arms, pulsing and waving in different colors. Her hair blew back as her chin lowered, and she threw balls of plasma so quickly they looked attached to each other.
At the same time, Garrett and Sam rushed forward, knives and fists slashing.
Honor slid to the side, grabbed Juliet’s discarded gun, and rolled to her feet, firing at the soldiers up on the trailer. They seemed to be the biggest threat right now. One fell off the other side, and she set her stance, continuing to fire at the other one. Every time she squeezed the trigger, a line of laser flew out, somehow turning solid as it struck the soldier’s body.
He jerked with every hit but didn’t fall.
She twisted to the side and changed her angle, aiming for his eyes instead of center mass. She hit him right between, and he finally went over the other side.
Then she backed up, trying to cover both Nessa and Bear.
“Go to the right,” Nessa yelled at her mate. “You’re hurt. You have to shift.”
His head hung down, showing gaps in his trachea. His growl was furious as he turned to lumber down the side of the building.
Honor’s stomach lurched, and she ran toward him, providing cover so he could escape. Garrett was battling three soldiers, Sam four, including the general, while she and Nessa attacked the others with a volley of fire and lasers.