Chapter Nine
Malik somehow found himself standing in front of the black lake, located across the street from the demon warriors apartment building.
He glanced around, getting his bearings, but knew he couldn’t waste time.
Indy needed him.
When he screwed up, it was catastrophic. At the time he’d placed the bet, it had been just him, so Malik hadn’t thought that far ahead.
But now his mate was involved, in Samir’s clutches, and Malik needed help, fast.
Malik was never going to forgive himself for putting Indy in harm’s way. It hadn’t been intentional, but this was still his fault.
He dove into the black lake, the water remaining still, as Malik thought of his destination.
Take me to my team.
They might not have thought of a plan before, but Malik needed them to come up with one now.
He hit the ground and felt wet grass under his palms, knees, and one cheek, the cold seeping through his shirt. His ears were ringing and his vision took two seconds to settle. Home. His yard. The unlit string lights confirmed it.
Adrenaline surged through him as he launched toward the house, sprinting across the lawn. He hit the deck at full speed, shouldered through the back door with such force that it slammed against the wall with a splintering crack.
Malik didn’t stop until he reached the living room. Grayson, Colton, and Reese shot from their seats like they were being invaded.
“They took him,” Malik ground out. Every muscle in his body was coiled, jaw clenched. “The demons. They broke in and grabbed us both. Indy’s still trapped with them.”
“Where do they have him?” Grayson asked in his infuriatingly calm voice. Malik didn’t need calm. He needed them just as unhinged as he felt.
“Samir’s house.” Malik had been so fucking stupid allowing the demons to get the drop on him, knowing they used shadows to travel.
He’d basically left the front door unlocked for the assholes to walk right in.
“Demon realm. Cozy street, green trim, wraparound porch. Samir’s running it all.
He wants the ten grand, but… I don’t think the money matters. ”
Even though Malik had only met Samir once before tonight, his gut told him it wasn’t about his debt. The demon wanted to make an example of him.
And he would use Indy to deliver that lesson.
They listened as Malik explained what happened, Colton and Reese grabbing weapons as he talked. Grayson called Zeppelin, alpha of the wolf pack in Crimson Hollow, asking for men to watch their mates as Malik rescued his.
“You see how many with him?” Grayson asked after he hung up.
“I spotted two that were trying to stay out of sight in the house. Then the two that took us. Plus Samir. The house is a two-story.” Malik’s voice almost broke. “So far, I just know of two powers. Samir can trap you inside your own body. One of the demons who snatched us has lightning.”
Being trapped at that table, unable to move, had been Malik’s worst nightmare. He’d been so proud of Indy for his bravery, but in the end, Samir had won.
For now.
“If we pay, he won’t let Indy go.” Grayson said as he slid on his boots.
“I already came to that conclusion.” His cheetah was fighting to get back to Indy, to rip Samir apart. So was Malik, but he couldn’t do this on his own.
“How’s Samir armed?” Colton asked.
“He’s not. But the others might be.”
Grayson narrowed his eyes. “We’ll need a ride into the realm.”
No one argued. Malik’s hands shook. He pictured Indy sitting at that demon’s table, the bastard’s eyes on him, the smug smile. Malik would tear off his own arm before letting Samir keep his mate.
Better yet, he would tear off Samir’s.
Grayson cut the lights, plunging the living room into darkness. Malik thought about earlier, how the demons had done the same.
“Hondo!” Grayson shouted as his phone dinged. “Zeppelin said his men are already watching the house.”
A set of eyes appeared in the dark, flames flickering in the irises. Then Hondo emerged, tall and muscular, with short black hair and irises the color of ox-blood once the flames had died out.
“I really wish people would summon one of the other warriors,” Hondo groused, “I was in the middle of…something with my mate.”
“Habit.” Grayson shrugged. “Mind giving us a lift? Got demons to kill and a mate to bring home.”
“Samir, Kenzo, and Anakin,” Malik said. “Know them?”
“Those bastards,” Hondo huffed. “They’ve got miles of boundary issues. Touch my arm, boys.”
They stepped forward with the warrior, swallowed by the shadows.
Malik really hated this way of traveling. He always felt like he was gonna puke his guts out.
The world dropped away. They landed on a dead-quiet side street close to their target.
“Good luck.” Hondo slapped Malik’s hand like he was about to shake it, only Malik felt something in his palm.
The look in the demon’s eye said to keep his mouth shut.
Malik gave a subtle nod, even though he wanted to look.
Instead, he shoved his hand into his pocket, depositing whatever it was.
The object almost felt like a coin or medallion.
Hondo threw up a peace sign before he disappeared, but Malik barely noticed. His focus was already locked on the house with green trim and neat flower beds.
The team used hand signals as they closed in, sticking to the shadows. Colton pointed right. Reese angled left. Grayson kept his gaze on the front door.
The porch was empty, but four were inside. They showed up as silhouettes moving past windows. Where was Indy? He watched every window but didn’t see his mate.
It gnawed at him. He’d told himself he could protect his mate, that even if he made mistakes, he’d keep Indy safe. He’d blown that. If he failed his little fox again, he’d never forgive himself.
Grayson took charge. A quick hand motion sent Colton and Reese circling the house. Malik followed Grayson to the front.
Another signal. Everyone ready.
Malik wanted nothing more than to get Indy out of that place. He was ready to rip the house down if that’s what it took.
Grayson nodded.
Colton’s foot hit the door just as Grayson crashed in, obliterating the front entrance. Malik barreled through right after him, the room erupting in shouting.
The first demon reached for Grayson but got his arm twisted around until the shoulder popped. Reese came in from the side, claws out, and took out the next before any powers were used. A gun fired. The report nearly deafened Malik.
A gun skittered across the floor.
Malik stopped it with his foot just as someone landed a blow to his ribs. Shouting in pain, Malik punched the son of a bitch, snarling when he heard the snap of bones. He didn’t stick around once the body dropped.
He had to find his mate. Spinning, he glanced toward the stairs. As his team fought the demons, Malik took off toward them. “Indy!”
Something upstairs crashed then his mate shouted for him.
Images of what Samir might be doing had Malik taking the steps three at a time. He hit the second floor, veering left as he heard loud cursing.
“Indy!” The desperation in his voice echoed down the hallway. “I’m coming, baby!”
“In here!” Indy shouted, his voice carrying from behind the closet door to his left.
With a feral growl, Malik hurled himself at the door. The impact reverberated through his shoulder as the wood splintered inward. He hit it again, and the frame disintegrated in an explosion of fragments.
Malik stalked into the room, canines and claws extended.
Samir had Indy by the throat. His mate hung in the demon’s grip, fighting and kicking.
Malik lunged.
When his boot connected with the side of Samir’s leg, he heard cartilage fold before the demon hit the floor screaming. Indy dropped as well, but his little fox landed on all fours, gasping for air.
“Stay by the door, baby. I might owe him money, but he touched my mate.” Malik turned to Samir, but was still talking to Indy. “He’ll get his money. He won’t get mercy for hurting you.”
Knuckles connected with Samir’s cheekbone, and the split that followed was more than skin. There was a hollow crack beneath it.
Samir smashed his palm against the floor, and Malik braced for the cage.
Nothing happened.
Hondo. Malik wanted to kiss the bastard.
“Impossible!” Samir struck the floor again.
“Performance problems?” Malik’s punch landed just under the ear, and the demon’s skull thudded against the wall with a whack that sounded painful.
A low chuckle escaped Samir, the kind that carried too much satisfaction. “You were so easy to manipulate, cat. One whisper was all it took.” He turned his head and spat a crimson streak onto the floor. “The debt remains. And I will collect... piece by piece if necessary.”
Fury burned so hot Malik’s skin felt tight. “You fucked with my mind? Made me wrack up a debt?”
“You underhanded slimeball!” Indy yelled. “Do you know what you put my kitty cat through? I will end your whole existence, and trust me, this face?” He gestured dramatically to himself. “It’s the last thing you’ll see before you meet your maker.”
Malik was so turned on, he wanted to fuck his mate right there in the doorway.
Indy grew still, panic in his blue-violet eyes.
One strike to Samir’s chest with his claws, then Malik yanked his arm back, holding the demon’s heart in his hand.
Indy made retching sounds as Malik dropped the heart next to Samir’s head, then wiped his bloody hand on the demon’s crisp, white shirt.
“Don’t you dare come near me with that hand,” Indy squeaked. “There’s a bathroom right behind you!”
Chuckling, Malik washed his hands in the adjoining bathroom, making sure to scrub under his nails. As soon as he exited, Indy jumped into his arms. “No more excitement. My ticker can’t take it.”
Malik nuzzled his mate. “We’re going to be the most boring couple on the planet. Promise.”