The Belial Stone(91)

Jordan ran over, pulling him to his feet.

Yoni slapped at a small fire that had started on his sleeve. “Next time, send the debris inside okay?”

Jordan took a shot at a guard that appeared in the enclosure’s entryway. “Sorry about that, Yoni.”

A second explosion at the other guard tower drew Yoni’s attention.

Yoni slapped Jordan on the shoulder and gestured to the smoldering ruins of the other tower. “Learn something new every day. Both surface-to-air missiles and grenade launchers are effective at taking out guard towers.”

Jordan’s reply was cut off as a conveyance of ten guards appeared behind them. Jordan yanked Yoni to the ground.

Bullets whistled above their heads. They scrambled for the cover of the destroyed transformer. Yoni switched the M4 to automatic and let loose a spray of bullets. The guards ran for cover.

He turned to Jordan with a grin. “So, how do you think the assault's going so far?”





CHAPTER 78



Jake sprinted from his hiding spot as the transformer exploded, Patrick keeping pace next to him. Jake took out the guards at the entrance of the sleeping cage with two shots.

Then Patrick slammed into him, tackling him to the ground, as automatic fire chewed up the ground behind him. Simultaneously, they turned, taking out the solitary shooter.

“Thanks,” Jake said.

Patrick nodded as the guard tower above them exploded with Henry’s grenade hit.

Jake scrambled to his feet, seeing Patrick do the same. Side by side, they sprinted for the sleeping cage. A guard appeared around the side of the enclosure with his gun raised. With a fluid motion, Patrick pulled his shotgun from around his back and shot the man, practically slicing him in two with the blast.

Jake grinned. The priest could definitely hold his own.

Jake held his position, covering Patrick as he ran for the cage.

A padlock secured the gate. Patrick took aim and blasted the lock. Flinging the shotgun back over his shoulder, he threw open the door and yelled.

“Laney!”





CHAPTER 79



Laney jolted awake, trying to figure out what had pulled her from her sleep. Tom was sitting up next to her.

“Tom, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know. There was a loud noise and then the place just went dark.”

Gunfire rang out and an arc of light shot through the sky. The guard tower nearest them exploded. Scrambling to her feet, Laney turned to Tom. “It’s Jake!”

Tom had jumped to his feet at the sound of the gunfire. He pulled Laney and Seeley to the side, just as a group of inmates charged for the gate.

Above the yelling, Laney thought she heard a voice calling her name. She looked around, but couldn’t see anyone amongst the mass of bodies rushing to the exit. Then she saw a man pushing against the tide, fighting to get into the enclosure. “Uncle Patrick!”

Patrick’s eyes looked up and caught Laney’s. He fought through the swarm of bodies and reached her, pulling her into a tight hug.

“Laney,” he breathed.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Patrick pulled back and took the shotgun from across his back, loaded it, and handed it to her. “We need to get going.”

She nodded and reached out to grab Tom’s hand. “Where’s Jake?”

“He’s in the enclosure.” Patrick gestured beyond the gate as he handed a handgun to Tom. “You must be Tom.”

Tom nodded., holding onto Seeley’s waist to keep him upright. “And this is Seeley,”

Patrick looked at the injured man, his face expressionless, but Laney saw the sympathy dart across his eyes. “Let’s get out of here.”

Following Patrick, they headed to the gate. A noise behind her caused her to glance back. Two guards were coming up on the back side of the enclosure.

“Look out!” Tom threw himself on top of Laney as the guards opened fire on the cage.

Gunfire whistled through the air above them. Tom rolled off Laney. She and Patrick grabbed onto Seeley’s arms. They pulled him along the ground to the gate as Tom crawled behind them. Suddenly, the gunfire stopped. Laney turned and saw a group of inmates had jumped the guards. They began to kick and stomp on the guards in a mad frenzy.

She turned away and scrambled to her feet.

Patrick pulled Seeley to his feet and carried him out of the cage with a fireman’s lift. Laney and Tom ran behind him and over to the open storage truck used to transport the men.

Crouching low, Laney checked her shotgun. “What’s the plan?”

Patrick lay Seeley gently on the ground. “Henry and Jordan’s assault groups are keeping any additional guards at bay, while Yoni and Jake enter the enclosure with an additional assault team and clear it. I’m supposed to get you clear.”