Chapter 34 — The plan

Mikhail:

“Here’s what we’re going to do. Rowan and Carrick will walk to the warehouse and create a distraction. Act as if you’re lost and make a lot of noise to draw their attention. Be very belligerent. While you’re doing that, Azazel and I will fly high in the air and take down the hellhounds on the roof. Alex, Kell, and Mathias will go through the back. Be as stealthy as you can.” Everyone agrees.

As planned, Rowan and Carrick walk up to the guards and pretend to argue and push each other, which distracts the guards. While the guards are distracted, Azazel and I fly up to the roof and disable the guards.

Once we’ve taken care of the guards, we step inside the warehouse. Azazel and I search the area. There are hellhounds walking the premises and two guarding a door.

Aaron and Henry are standing off in a corner, talking. From their claws and glowing eyes, I can see that they’re also hellhounds. I don’t know why I’m surprised, but I am.

I signal to Azazel, who silently points to a fuse box near the wall. He then points to the lights and mimes an explosion sign with his hands. I nod my head and nudge my chin toward the door.

Azazel pulls a knife out of his back pocket, opens the box, and rips out a couple of cords. The lights in the building instantly go out. I jump down, surprising Aaron. With how angry I am, he doesn’t stand a chance when I wrap my arms around his head and break his neck. Henry cries out in surprise and moves to attack, but he’s my main target. Because of this bastard, Nevaeh might be hurt or dead. He must see the hate in my eyes because he turns around and begins to run. Before he can escape, Azazel lands in front of Henry and pushes him back to me. I catch his struggling form and pin him down.

While I restraining him, the bastard has the nerve to whisper. “Please.”

Laughing, I hold my hand out to Azazel. “Give me the knife,” Azazel places his knife in my hand and watches dispassionately as I stab Henry in the stomach. “That’s for hurting Nevaeh, you bastard.”

Henry gurgles as blood pours down his stomach. His body shudders as the life drains from his body until he falls lifelessly onto the floor.

The guards try to attack, but Azazel quickly finishes them off. Once all the guards have been dispersed, I walk toward the metal door they were guarding and open it.

“Mikhail.” Nevaeh cries out.

My anger knows no bounds when I see that Lukan is holding Nevaeh against his chest. Moving forward, I sigh with relief. Nevaeh is alive.

Azazel stops beside me and stiffens. “Bloody hell.”

“Move any closer, and I’ll kill her,” Lukan calls out as he tightens his grip around Nevaeh’s throat.

I hold my hands up in surrender and take a step back. “This is between you and me, Lukan. Just let her go, and we’ll settle this matter once and for all.”

Lukan laughs hysterically. He’s trapped, and he knows it, which means he’s not going to give up without a fight. “The only way this matter will be solved is if you die.”

Eyes narrowed with rage, I run my gaze appraisingly over his. “Well then, I suggest you stop wasting time, Garron. I’m here now—come and get me.”

Lukan’s lips tighten into a grim frown. “Do you really think I’d fight you when all your allies are standing outside to finish me off? I’m not a fool. No, I think I’ll keep this beautiful girl as my shield for now.” My eyes home in on Nevaeh’s. She’s covered in blood, and her clothing is ripped. She looks so scared and hurt. I want to reassure her, but I can’t. First, I need to eliminate Lukan from her life. There has to be some way for me to do this without her getting hurt.

“What if we call the Macto Benficium Duellum Sanguis? All I need you to do is let her go, and we can fight it out.”

Lukan looks thoughtful for a moment. He’s definitely considering my offer. He looks at Azazel, then back at me. “Get him out of here, and I will agree to the Macto Benficium Duellum Sanguis.”

“Do it, Azazel,” I ask, my friend.

Azazel shakes his head. “That’s not going to happen, mate. What if he refuses to let Nevaeh go?”

Lukan scoffs in reply. “I’ll let her go when you do what I say.”

“Please, Azazel. Do it for Nevaeh.”

Azazel looks at Nevaeh, his eyes hardening with rage when he sees that she is battered and bruised. Jaw tight, he walks around me and leaves the room. As soon as he leaves, I face Lukan, cut my hand, and create a circle in the center of the floor without taking my eyes off him. “Okay, I did what you asked. Now, let Nevaeh go.”

Lukan narrows his eyes and pushes Nevaeh toward me. Nevaeh stumbles forward and wraps her arms around my waist. “Mikhail…”

I shake my head, putting a halt to anything she wants to say and push her out the door. “Go with Azazel, princess. We’ll talk later.”

Nevaeh shakes her head in protest. “No, Mikhail. Please, don’t.”

“Go, Nevaeh. Now!” I order as I push her out of the door.

Seeing no other choice, Nevaeh gives me a tearful smile and whispers. “I love you.”

I don’t reply. Instead, I close the door and turn back to Lukan. Like me, Lukan cuts his hand and traces my circle. The bargain is made. A blinding light flashes in the room at that moment and everything goes black. Time to fight.