“I’m sick of waiting,” he said.
“I have a feeling she’s waiting for you to come to her,” Kris said at last. “And she’ll never let us leave her alive.”
“Back to the palace,” Rhyn said with a glance towards the dark sky. It was the last day he could press Death for a favor. If they didn’t leave tonight, they may never escape with Katie alive. He took off running toward the palace, his demon vision guiding him in the darkness. Kris followed closely, and they burst onto the yards surrounding the palace.
Gabe and a few other assassins in black fought off hordes of demons. Surprised, Rhyn launched into the melee with his dagger. He slashed through several demons before the creatures realized he was there. Wanting to keep them off balance, he morphed into his demon form and shredded the creatures with talons and fangs as deadly as theirs.
Only when he reached Gabe did he return to his Immortal form. The death-dealer’s clothing was tattered from demon strikes, his body smelling of blood sure to incense the creatures he fought. Despite this, the assassin’s speed and strikes didn’t falter. Each was sure and powerful. Rhyn maneuvered until his back was to Gabe’s, and he reached back to snatch the knife Gabe kept strapped to one thigh. While Gabe showed no sign of slowing, Rhyn could feel the wound Kris inflicted slowing his movements. At least Kris hadn’t stabbed him with the enforcer dagger, or Rhyn would be dead.
“Thanks for … dropping by,” Gabe grunted with his dark humor.
“I’m always late, but I always show.” Rhyn flung one knife, catching a demon in the eye. The demon that had been ready to run Kris through dropped, and Kris shot him an angry look. “You’re welcome, jackass.”
“Still fighting?” Gabe asked.
“Where’s Death?” Rhyn demanded.
“Inside. Or wherever. She left us to deal with the demons. We’ve lost five assassins already. I hoped she’d recall more but …”
“She’s pissed at you.”
“Yeah.”
“She want you dead-dead?”
“She wants to make sure I suffer,” Gabe answered.
“An eternity of her nagging you wasn’t enough?”
Gabe snorted. “Kris! Form up with us. Rhyn’s slow on his left. Pick up his slack.”