Chapter Nine
Ronen held up his blade to one of the lit sconces in the armory.
He gripped the hilt of the weapon the way he would in battle, extending the finger of his opposite hand along the flat of the knife’s edge, testing its balance.
Satisfied, he sheathed his knife and turned his attention to his protective gear.
Once he shifted, what he wore would be meaningless. But there was a crucial time when a gargoyle could be struck down, that moment before battle when it still seemed as if conflict was distant. More Shadow Slayers had been taken out by reckless disregard than had been lost in battle.
As he strapped on his Kevlar vest, which was reinforced with protection magic—similar to that which shielded the door to all lairs—Cassiel strolled into the armory.
“It’s starting to get crowded in here.” She jerked her chin over her shoulder. “You should see the group that just poured in. There are at least fifty pissed-off gargoyles from the Denver lair that want to annihilate Victor.” She quirked a smile. “Don’t worry. I told them we called dibs.”
“Good.” Ronen grunted. “Are you sure we can fit everyone in here? I mean, it’s a big lair, but still. I didn’t bother counting, but there were probably a hundred fighters from the West Coast lair that showed up about an hour ago.”
“Uriel’s here. I guess Michael sent him down to manage the chaos of ragey gargoyles.”
“I assume we’ll have a strategy meeting and that you’ll be in charge?
” Ronen’s own rage was heating up again.
“That fucker Victor was undoubtedly trying to screw us over by demanding he be in charge of the team. He probably figured Samir could be easily corrupted again, which was why he insisted on bringing him along.”
Cassiel pressed her lips together. “For real. Man, I wish I’d picked up on his dark side. I mean, what the fuck? Maybe I’m losing my touch.”
Ronen lowered his head. Cassiel wasn’t the one who should be ashamed. “I’m the one who’s out of touch.” He met her gaze. “I owe Samir a big apology.”
Cassiel clapped him on the shoulder. “Hey. We’re gonna make it right. In the meantime, the answer’s yes. Uriel is making it clear that I’m leading the mission. Heads up, though. I’m appointing you as second, just in case.”
Ronen nodded in understanding. “How soon before we have the strategy session? It’s already eleven.”
Cassiel tugged on her leather gloves. “In about fifteen. I’m giving the European faction a few more minutes to show up.
If they don’t get in here in time, they can stay here as reserves.
” She dragged her fingers through her hair, sighing.
“It’s hard to believe we’re finally at the precipice of this conflict, that this could all be over by morning. ”
Ronen swallowed hard. “I can’t think about it right now.”
If things didn’t go their way, what terrible fate would await Tanner and their unborn child? He’d go crazy if he dwelt on the horrific possibilities.
“I understand, bro. Go say goodbye.” Cassiel tightened her weapons belt. “The leaders of each lair already present will be meeting us in the conference room. See you then.”
Ronen heaved a sigh and did one last inventory of everything to make sure he had all he needed. His heart seemed as if it was stuck in his throat as he made his way down the hallway to their guest room. Tanner was there monitoring the systems of the facility after he’d hacked into everything.
When Ronen left him a half hour earlier, he’d seemed stronger.
Ezekiel had brought him some rice and chicken, and Tanner was able to keep it down.
Tanner’s eagerness to help and single-minded focus had kept their interaction from being too melancholy.
But this was it. They were no longer preparing for battle. War was imminent.
He needed to put on a strong front to reassure his mate.
The sound of urgent voices from the conference room carried down the corridor as Ronen approached the chamber where he’d left Tanner. There would be very little time to be together before he had to head into battle.
When he reached the door of their room, he paused, taking a deep breath before entering.
Tanner sat ramrod straight at a massive oak desk, surrounded by various laptops and tablets that Ezekiel had managed to procure.
His mate’s fingers flew across the keyboard, his face bathed in the glow of the screens.
“I’ve disabled their main security protocols,” Tanner announced without looking up.
“They won’t know what hit them until you’re already inside.
I’ve also created a backdoor into their system that will let me track your progress once you’ve infiltrated the buildings.
I can control the doors, cameras, everything. ”
Ezekiel stood nearby, arms crossed as he watched Tanner work. He turned, a smile helping to brighten his tense features. “Better than expected. He’s a natural.”
Tanner glanced up. His eyes widened slightly, his gaze locking on Ronen’s battle gear. “You're heading out soon.”
It wasn’t a question. Ronen stepped closer to Tanner, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. The warmth of his mate's body beneath his palm grounded him, a reminder of everything at stake.
“Strategy meeting in fifteen. Then we move.” Ronen struggled to keep his voice steady. “I wanted to see you before...”
Tanner pushed back from the desk and rose, wrapping his arms around Ronen’s waist. The layers of his gear created a frustrating barrier between them.
He buried his nose in Tanner’s hair, taking a deep breath to inhale his mate’s scent.
This simple moment was everything, all the encouragement he needed to fight with all he had to preserve what good was left on the earthly plane.
“I’ll be fine,” Tanner whispered against Ronen’s chest. “You just focus on coming back to me.”
Ronen tightened his embrace, careful not to crush Tanner with his strength. His heart pounded like a war drum. The thought of leaving his mate—of possibly never seeing him again—tore at something primal inside him.
“I’ll always come back to you,” Ronen murmured, pressing his lips to Tanner’s temple. “Nothing could keep me away.”
Ezekiel cleared his throat. “I should give you two a moment.” He moved toward the door, pausing only briefly. “Ronen, I’ll protect him with my life. You have my word.”
The healer slipped out, leaving them alone.
Ronen cupped Tanner’s face between his palms, memorizing every feature.
The slight crease between his eyebrows, the curve of his mouth, the faint shadow of stubble along his jaw—every bit of his sweet mate.
“When I get back, we’re going to start our life together properly. ”
Ronen leaned down and captured Tanner’s lips with his own, pouring all his love and emotion into the kiss. When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Tanner’s eyes shone with unshed tears.
“You better,” Tanner whispered, his voice cracking slightly. “We have plans to make. A future to build.”
Ronen pressed his forehead against Tanner's, their breaths mingling between them. “I swear it. I’ll return to you.” His throat was clogged with emotion. “Keep monitoring their systems. If you notice anything unusual, alert Ezekiel, and he’ll relay the message to us.”
Tanner nodded. “I’ve set up notifications for any security overrides or system resets. If they realize they’ve been hacked, I’ll know.”
An urgent knock at the door sounded, and Cassiel’s muffled voice called out, “Ronen, we need you now.”
Ronen gritted his teeth, reluctantly pulling back from Tanner. The heat of his mate’s body lingered on his fingertips, a ghost of sensation he desperately tried to memorize.
“Stay safe,” he whispered, brushing his thumb across Tanner’s cheek one last time.
“You too.” Tanner sniffed, swallowing hard. “Go kick some demon ass.”
Ronen managed to smile despite the knot in his chest. He backed toward the door, unwilling to break eye contact until the last possible moment. When he finally turned and stepped into the corridor, the separation seemed like a physical blow.
Cassiel leaned against the corridor wall, her face grim. “Everyone’s assembled. Uriel’s getting impatient.”
Ronen jerked his chin. “Let’s go.”
They moved through the lair’s winding corridors in silence, the specter of the impending battle driving them forward.
When they reached the threshold of the crowded conference room, the space was filled with tense murmurs.
Ronen spotted Uriel on the far end of the room, sharing an exchange with Levon, the lair’s sentinel.
Uriel glanced their way, nodding at them in acknowledgment, his massive form somehow taking up twice the space of even the largest gargoyle.
The angel’s gleaming bronze skin contrasted with his pure white hair, which was pulled back into a long, tight braid that fell down his back.
His silver gaze swept over the assembly with a piercing stare.
“Order, everyone. The time has come to make our move.” Uriel’s voice resonated throughout the room. “Cassiel, I trust you have formulated a plan of attack?”
Cassiel moved forward with purposeful strides, her shoulders squared as she took her position before the gathered warriors. Ronen followed, placing himself slightly behind her right shoulder—the traditional place for a second-in-command.
“We strike in less than an hour,” Cassiel said. “You’ve already been briefed on the target, a large facility where the rogues have formed a new strategy to plunge the earth into darkness.”
“And where the filthy, scum traitors are helping them!”
“Geordie, I know.” Cassiel raised her hand in a calming gesture.
“He’s a rat fucker, I get it. But Victor is only one part of a huge nightmare we must eradicate.
” Her gaze traveled the room. “We must focus. Strike as a well-coordinated team. There’s no room for error.
” She angled her body toward Ronen. “Here is my second-in-command. You are to follow Ronen’s orders if I should become unavailable. ”
Ronen dipped his chin in acknowledgment before Cassiel continued. A murmur of agreement rippled through the gathered warriors. She unrolled a large map across the central table, weighting it down at the top corners with an ornate bronze inkwell and the lair’s wax stamp.
“Thanks to Tanner’s intel, we have the entire layout of the facility,” she said, tracing her finger along the perimeter.
“We’ll attack from three directions simultaneously.
Alpha team will take the north entrance, focusing on neutralizing the security forces.
Beta team will enter from the east, targeting the labs where they're conducting their experiments. Gamma team—which I will lead with Ronen—will strike directly at the command center here.” She tapped the southern wing of the complex, then straightened.
“There’s also been talk of a building where humans are being tortured.
We’ll designate a rescue team once all the threats have been neutralized. ”
Ronen studied the map, mentally charting the path they’d need to follow to reach Victor.
The traitor would likely be near the command center, overseeing operations.
His fingers itched to close around Victor’s throat, to make him pay for betraying them all.
He let out a low growl. For daring to look at Tanner like the disgusting predator he was.
Cassiel continued outlining the assault plan.
“Each team will be equipped with specialized weapons designed to counter demonic energy. The Denver lair has brought holy water grenades, and the West Coast team has contributed blessed silver ammunition.” She gestured to a row of gleaming blades laid out on a side table.
“These have all been consecrated by Michael himself. "
Uriel stepped forward. “Remember, warriors—our objective is not merely to destroy the facility, but to eliminate every trace of their corrupting influence. No demon escapes. No shadow gargoyle receives mercy unless they surrender completely.”
The angel’s silver eyes flashed. “This battle may end the war that has raged since the first holy relic was stolen. Fight with that knowledge burning in your hearts.”
A collective roar swept through the room, gargoyle warriors pumping their fists, shaking their weapons with gusto.
“This is it.” Cassiel straightened again to her full height. “We leave in thirty minutes. Check your weapons, your comms, and yourselves. When we fly, we fly as one.”
The room erupted into motion as warriors dispersed to make final preparations. Ronen remained by the table, taking one last glance at the map, committing to memory the path they would take through the facility. He curled his fingers, the knuckles turning white as he tightened his fists.
“You’ll get your chance,” Cassiel whispered. “Just remember to keep your head. Revenge is sweet but living to enjoy it is sweeter.”
Ronen nodded, his jaw remaining clenched as he stared at the map. Victor was toast. He was looking forward to stealing the last gasp of air from the piece of shit.
“I know.” Ronen sucked in a deep breath. “I won’t lose focus.”
Uriel approached, his massive frame crowding them. “Cassiel, a word.” His silver gaze flicked to Ronen. “Actually, both of you.”
They followed the angel to a quiet corner of the room, away from the bustle of lingering warriors. Uriel regarded them with a grave expression, his voice pitched low.
“Michael has sensed unusual energy fluctuations at the facility. The rogues may be aware that we're coming.”
Cassiel cursed under her breath. “How? I thought Tanner’s infiltration was seamless.”
“We’re not certain.” Uriel’s lips were set in a grim line. “But Michael sensed a surge of dark energy that suggests they’re mobilizing their forces. It could be a coincidence—”
“There are no coincidences in war,” Ronen interjected, his blood running cold. His thoughts immediately flew to Tanner. If the rogues had detected the hack, they might be able to trace it back to its source.
“If they know we’re coming,” Cassiel said, “then we hit them harder. Faster. We take them by surprise even if they're expecting us. We need to move now, not in thirty minutes.”
Uriel’s eyes narrowed. “Precisely. Gather your teams. It’s time.”