Darkness Read online

  Missy grabbed her arm, her fingers digging in. “We should feed the dog and cat soon.”

  Kat winced. There was no way to save the animals. It was Missy’s life on the line. She knew her friend had guessed at what she was doing and had said it to remind her that they were upstairs. “They aren’t a priority right now.”

  Tears filled Missy’s eyes and Kat had to look away. It hurt her too. The smell of gas reached her nose. Mason slammed one drawer and had to crouch to open the one under it. His gun rested on the desk, pointing their way. Kat moved to get between Missy and that gun. She glanced at the curtains. They were horrible, the same flower print that matched most of the house. The home had been a dream of theirs but they’d buy another one. Missy couldn’t be replaced.

  “Nothing.” Mason moved around the chair and opened the other drawer. He suddenly tensed. “What is that smell?”

  “What smell?” Kat gave him a blank stare. Time was up.

  He sniffed and rose, moving toward the hallway door. His gun wavered and Kat spun, praying the lighter lit on the first try. She pressed it against the curtains, pushing down on the tab. A flame burst forth. The second she realized the curtains were on fire, she dropped it and wrapped her arms around Missy.

  “What the fuck?” Mason yelled.

  Kat shoved Missy away from the flames that shot up the curtain to keep her from catching fire. The window was single-paned since they hadn’t replaced them for more efficient ones. Missy had installed a thick blackout shade, the only thing that stood between them and the glass.

  A gunshot rang out as Kat spun, using all her strength to hurl both of them through the window. They slammed into the glass and when it shattered there was nothing but luck, the shade and their clothes to protect them.

  Darkness approached the house with the team, motioning for them to separate and surround the house. The sound of a gunshot fractured the night. He froze, terrified of what it meant. It was immediately followed by an explosion at the back of the house. There was a blinding blaze of light and the windows along the front of the house blew outward. The sound was deafening and set off car alarms along the street. They honked and beeped, flashing lights.

  “Move,” Darkness roared. “Get in there!”

  Any plan to sneak in and take out the male was forgotten. Darkness rushed to the side gate and jumped, not caring what was on the other side. He landed on concrete and stared horrified at smoldering chunks of the building. The back of the house had been destroyed—a flaming open wound of jagged destruction. Flames shot upward from inside, reminding him of a torch in one area. Dark smoke choked him as he rushed to enter, prepared to go into the burning house after Kat.

  His peripheral vision caught movement and he froze, whipped his head in that direction. A bare arm rose from what appeared to be a section of wood paneling. The hand was small and appeared female.

  “Kat!” He rushed toward her, dodging smoldering and burning debris.

  Blood smeared her palm when he grabbed hold, using his other hand to grip the wood on top of her. He threw it aside. It wasn’t Kat staring up at him when he dropped to his knees. She had blonde hair and terrified blue eyes and wore a long nightshirt. Cuts and fresh blood marred her limbs but she didn’t appear to be critically injured.

  “Where is she?” She tried to move but cried out.

  “Kat?”

  She nodded. “The house blew up and it ripped me right away from her.” The female tried to sit up again but collapsed flat, whimpering.

  “Stay down,” Darkness ordered.

  Book was at his side in an instant, tending to the female. Darkness rose and frantically searched the yard. A large piece of roof lay crumpled about five feet away. A bloody bare foot poked out from underneath the edge. It was small and lifeless.

  “Kat!” He was terrified when he bent, afraid of what he’d find. The roofing appeared heavy, about eight feet long and five feet wide. It had sustained profound damage. His fingers hooked an edge and Trey rushed to the other side to help him move it.

  “Now,” Trey urged.

  They lifted at the same time and threw it to the side. It wasn’t as heavy as it had appeared. Darkness stared down and pain tore him apart. He’d found Kat. His knees collapsed. She was on her side, one hand over her face as if she’d tried to protect her head. Blood from a gash on her forearm smeared her skin. Blood covered her chest but he wasn’t sure if it was from the first injury or worse. Her sleeping pants were torn up, red-stained in spots.

  “Fuck,” Trey hissed. He grabbed his phone. “Airlift them to Homeland or call for an ambulance?”

  Darkness wasn’t even sure if she lived. He breathed in, the stench of smoke was overpowering but he could smell her blood. It took a lot to reach out and touch her. He gently gripped her arm and moved it. Blood covered her cheek. Her eyes were closed and he wasn’t sure if he breathed while he checked for a pulse. He pressed his fingertips against the column of her throat. He didn’t feel anything.

  “No!” he roared out in anguish. Her arm twitched and he snarled. “Airlift.” He just wanted to get her to Homeland.

  “On it. Don’t move her,” Trey demanded.

  Darkness bent over Kat, shoving away debris. “Kat? I’m here. It’s Darkness.”

  Her eyes remained closed but she was alive. He wanted to pick her up and cradle her in his arms when something inside the house blew. It was a smaller explosion but enough to make him fear more of the home would come crashing into the yard. He turned, evaluating the house again. Both floors were gone on the back of the house. Flames had spread to other sections.

  “This is Trey,” the human yelled. “We need that helicopter to turn around. Land it right in front of the house if you can. We have two injured females. Alert Medical. Severe trauma.” He paused. “The fucking house exploded.”

  Darkness blocked out everything but Kat. He put his body over hers but kept all his weight off. He wanted to protect her from more hurt. Someone grabbed his arm, jerking it. He turned and snarled, looking into Trey’s eyes.

  “Let me help her. I have some medic training. She’s bleeding.” The male released him and tore off his vest, then his shirt. He started tearing it into strips.

  Darkness knew Trey was right. Kat needed help but he was frozen, his mind blank.

  “Move,” Trey repeated. “We’ve got to stop the bleeding or she’s not going to make it.”

  He backed off a little. Trey took over. It made Darkness feel helpless, something he hated. Kat made a soft sound of pain when Trey moved her bleeding arm and wrapped the sleeve of his shirt around the wound, using the ends to tie it.

  “It’s too tight.”

  Trey frowned. “Do you want her to bleed out? Look for something flat that we can tie her to. The helicopter wasn’t expecting a medical emergency. We don’t have a backboard on it. I asked.”

  Sirens grew closer. Darkness didn’t move away from Kat. He watched Trey carefully wrap the cut on her ankle, the source of the blood on her foot. Darkness knew he should handle the humans and take control of the scene. New Species were in danger if he didn’t. He just couldn’t leave Kat. He couldn’t even follow Trey’s directions on how to help her. It was as if he’d shut down until he gently held her hand on the ground next to his knee. It wasn’t bloody but it was lifeless.

  Trey stood. “I’ve done all I can. I’ll find something to use as a backboard or grab one from an ambulance. I’m going to send the paramedics to her. I’m sure they’ll come with the police. Everyone along the block must have called for assistance.”

  Darkness ignored him, staring at Kat’s face. Her eyes remained closed. “Kat? Can you hear me? I’m here.”

  It was his fault she lay there on the ground. He’d sent her away from Homeland. She’d be sleeping safely in his bed otherwise. He visually examined her body. Every cut, every trace of injury rested squarely on his shoulders. She’d wanted him to give a relationship between them a chance. He’d shut her down.

  “Kat