“She flew,” Dusty said, leveling a look on Jake, who stood in a corner with his head bowed.
Furious his order had been disobeyed, Damian started for the young Guardian. Dusty planted a hand in his chest.
“D, we need to get to her now. We know what he’s planning,” he said calmly. “You hear me? We know where he’s taking her.”
Damian met Dusty’s clear blue eyes, blood boiling.
“C’mon, bro. If he finishes with her before we get there …”
They were fucked. Damian forced himself to focus on Dusty, though he wanted nothing more than to wrap his hands around the newbie’s neck. The thought of Sofia in Czerno’s hands did worse than anger him-- he felt fear for the first time in millennia.
“You know where she is,” he said.
“Yes.”
“We’ll do this your way, Dusty. We raze the place. No survivors.”
“We’ll drop you in first,” Dusty said. “Whatever you don’t destroy, we will. I called in the DC Sector for support as well.”
“He’s going with me,” Damian said, indicating Jake.
“Agreed. Jake, prepare yourself. You’ve got half an hour.”
It was a death sentence, and Damian saw the realization in Jake’s eyes before the newbie left for the weapons room. The other Guardians filed out in silence befitting a funeral.
“He’s the only one at station who can Travel,” Dusty reminded him.
“I don’t give a damn. If we can’t un-fuck what he did, Czerno will destroy humanity overnight.” And Sofia, he added silently.
“I’ll put out a recruitment requirement for a new Traveler,” Dusty said and begin handing him weapons.
Damian pulled off his sweater to reveal a black T-shirt and tucked weapons into his cargo pants, boots, and pockets. They were silent, aware this would be one of the most crucial battles they’d encountered in ages.
“Is she like the Oracles in your father’s court?” Dusty asked. “Does she understand how important her gift is?”
“Not yet,” Damian admitted. “She’s this sexy little thing with beautiful eyes. Lots of spunk and stubborn as an ox. Nice rack, killer legs. So sweet and innocent. Were we ever innocent?”
“Nope. We were damaged goods when we were dropped onto this planet.”
He felt Dusty’s thoughtful gaze on him and looked up from strapping a gun to his ankle. “What’s up?” he asked, straightening. Dusty shook his head, though Damian saw his faint smile. “Bro, what’s up?”
“Either you need a woman real bad or there’s something special about this one.”
“Hey now, don’t insult my Oracle,” Damian warned. “Assuming she survives tonight.”
He ignored Dusty’s intent look, aware his adopted brother knew when he was avoiding answering his question. Dusty was right on both accounts: he needed a woman, and this one was special. He didn’t dare mess with an Oracle, though. It was common sense: never piss off the woman who could see the future, lest she alter it and make your life hell. Thousands of years hadn’t given him much insight into a woman’s way of thinking, but this he knew without a doubt.
“As if the European front wasn’t enough,” Dusty muttered.
“Tell me about it. After this is over, I’ll tell you about the Guardian recruitment stats.”
“Gods.”
“Yeah.”
Hang in there, Sofia.
CHAPTER SIX
They drove west, away from DC. Sofia watched the scenery turn from urban to rural and recognized the roads leading up to Skyline Drive, the scenic route running through the mountains of northern Virginia. The town car moved at a quick pace, bringing them to a mansion atop one of the private, gated drives tucked away from sight along Skyline Drive.
Czerno motioned her out of the car as it stopped in front of the Georgian-style manor house.
Not expecting the dizzy spell, she staggered against the car, cringing away from Czerno as he snatched her arms and dragged her to the house. He released her and tossed his coat to a waiting maid before motioning Sofia to follow.
She followed, heart racing. She passed several men with guns hidden in the alcoves of doors as she walked. Upon passing the first, she realized they weren’t men at all. No human’s eyes glowed red, and their inhuman growls as she passed resembled those of animals. They watched her like they intended to make her their dinner. She hurried to follow Czerno, silently praying Jake ratted her out to Damian.
There were two other men in the study Czerno into which led her. The door closed behind her, and he pointed to a chair. She sat, taking in the Goth décor that made the study as welcoming as a graveyard. The other two men gazed at her. One was of medium height and slender, an older man with sharp green eyes the color of forest moss who seemed out of place in the middle of the room. The second was closer to Han’s age with midnight hair and eyes.