He moved quickly, leaping over the back of the couch and racing into the dark hallway that led to the back entrance. Before I could go after him, metal flashed and a dagger sailed through the air to disappear into the darkness. A choked cry sounded, followed by a crash.
I ran down the hallway with Brock at my heels and found the Incubus sprawled facedown on the floor, gasping his last breaths. Pulling out the knife, I used it to finish him off, then cleaned the blade on his shirt.
We went back to the others where Beth was trying to comfort the girl. Raoul offered up his jacket, and Beth laid it around the girl’s shoulders.
“Jordan, you and Beth stay with her,” I said.
I didn’t want to split us up, but the girl was in no shape to be left alone. And I wasn’t leaving either Beth or Jordan here by themselves.
Motioning to Brock and Raoul, I ran to the stairs to the second floor. We passed the bar, where I spotted the bodies of the two human male bartenders and another waitress. Brock went over to check for signs of life and shook his head grimly. The Incubi obviously planned to leave no survivors.
We were halfway up the stairs when the main door opened and Geoffrey entered with the rest of his team. I caught his eye and pointed up. He nodded and told two of his people to stay downstairs while the rest of them followed us to the second floor.
At the top of the stairs, I quickly assessed the scene. Bruce and Lorne, Adele’s two other security guys, were embroiled in battle with six Incubi. The ogres had sustained numerous cuts from the Incubi blades, but they fought valiantly to protect their mistress.
Behind them, three more Incubi were viciously kicking the steel door to Adele’s office. The door was dented badly, but it held under their assault. Adele’s office was warded by warlock magic, most likely by Orias, who was one of the most powerful warlocks in the country. It was going to take more than brute force to break down that door.
The biggest threat was to the ogres, so I jumped in to help them. Bruce was closest to me, so I put myself between him and the three Incubi who were taking turns slashing at him with their knives. I brought my sword up in an arc, and one of the Incubi stumbled backward, clutching at the stump where his hand used to be. On the downward swing, my blade laid open the chest of another Incubi. He staggered, and I went in for the kill, relieving him of his head.
A minute after we joined the fight, it was over. I studied the bodies littering the floor, glad to see that none of ours was among them.
I looked up at Bruce, who towered over me. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” He grinned, showing off his fangs. “What took you so long?”
I laughed and walked to Adele’s office door, which looked battered but stood firm. Knocking loudly, I called, “Adele, it’s Chris. You can come out now.”
I had to knock two more times before the door flew open to reveal Adele’s pale face. The succubus wore jeans and a shirt instead of her usual slinky dress, and she had on very little makeup. Her hair was uncharacteristically messy, and the sleeve of her shirt was ripped at the shoulder. I’d never seen her look so disheveled or frightened.
I opened my mouth to ask if she was okay, but my question was cut short when she threw herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. Her body shook, and a ragged sob escaped as if she couldn’t hold it back.
“You came,” she choked out. “Thank you.”
I’d never seen Adele when she wasn’t put together and composed, and her current state took me aback. I wasn’t sure how to deal with the scared woman clinging to me. My Mori wasn’t too happy either, and it growled, shrinking away from the touch of a female who wasn’t my mate.
When my demon suddenly fluttered, I looked up to see Beth standing at the top of the stairs. Her eyes were narrowed on the woman in my arms, and the straight line of her mouth told me she was not happy about what she saw.
Heat shot through me at the possessive glint in her eyes, and I felt a rush of elation. She wanted me even if she refused to admit it.
I gently set Adele away from me. She wavered a little, but Bruce rushed over to steady her.
“Mistress, are you hurt?”
She patted his arm affectionately. “I’m okay, Bruce. You look worse than I do.” She looked around in alarm. “Where’s Dolph?”
“He’s downstairs,” I told her. “He’s hurt, but he’ll make it.”
She sagged in relief against Bruce. “He took the blade meant for me. I’d be dead if it wasn’t for my men.”
“Can you tell us what happened?” I asked her.
Adele’s gaze swept over the bodies, and her face began to harden, her anger surfacing to replace the fear. “I was downstairs making sure everything was ready for tonight when they came through the front door. There were so many of them that it was impossible for Dolph and Bruce to stop them all.” She drew a shuddering breath. “One of them came at me with a knife, and Dolph threw himself in front of me. Lorne and Bruce held them off long enough for me to get to the office.”
I crouched near the closest body and pulled back one of the sleeves, confirming what I already knew. Standing, I looked at Adele again. “Why does the Lilin want you dead? He left you alone until tonight.”
Adele rubbed her arms. “He found out I’m in contact with the Mohiri, and he thinks I’m helping you against him. There’s no reasoning with a Lilin when his mind is set on something.”
I surveyed the carnage. “It might be best for you to leave town for a while.”
“I’m leaving tonight.” She stood and looked at Bruce. “You’re in charge while I’m gone. Can you call someone to clean up the club? And let the staff know we’ll be closed until further notice. They’ll be compensated as usual.”
“I’m afraid most of your staff didn’t make it,” I said.
She put a hand to her chest. “They’re all dead?”
Beth stepped forward. “All except one. We got to her before they could…” She pressed her lips together.
Adele pushed past me and went to Beth. “Where is she? I need to make sure she’s okay.”
I watched them go then looked at Geoffrey. “We should go through their pockets before Adele has the bodies disposed of. We might find something to lead us to their sire.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
We found a few wallets with cash but no credit cards or identification of any kind. Other than the tattoos on their wrists, there was nothing to tie them to the Lilin.
I headed downstairs to where Beth and Jordan stood talking to Raoul while Adele sat with the waitress.
Walking over to join them, I held up the knife I’d pulled from the Incubus’s body earlier. “Who owns this?”
“I do.”
I couldn’t stop the look of surprise that crossed my face when Beth held out her hand. I’d expected Raoul to claim the weapon because the strike had been so fast and clean, something you’d expect from a more experienced warrior.
The corner of Jordan’s mouth lifted. “Wicked aim, right?”
“Perfect shot,” I praised Beth as I passed her the knife.
She smiled shyly and sheathed the blade. “Thanks.”
After we’d escorted Adele to a private hangar at the airport, we headed back to the command center. I pulled my bike up beside Beth’s in the garage and removed my helmet.
“I’m sorry we had to cancel our date.”
She lifted a shoulder. “It’s okay. Duty calls.”
Jordan snorted. “What are you guys, senior citizens? It’s barely nine. Plenty of night left.”
“It’s too late for dinner,” Beth said as we went into the house.
“But not for dancing.” Jordan swiveled her hips. “And that’s a lot more fun than dinner anyway.”
“I’m up for dancing if you are,” I said to Beth. I wasn’t willing to give up on our date just yet.
Beth bit her lip and shot me a nervous glance. “I –”
“We’ll all go,” Jordan announced. “We can wear those hot new dresses we bought last week.”
I smiled gratefully at Jordan. “I think that’s a great idea.”