Shayne lifted his massive leg and kicked the door in.
“I said count of three, asshole,” Ian hissed, as they quickly went in.
Anna was on the floor, her eyes wide and unblinking. Shayne could see no signs of life about her. He felt his body go ice cold, then hot, as rage possessed him. Throwing his head back, he released a cry of anguish that echoed throughout the warehouse.
His woman—the only woman he'd ever loved—was gone. They were too late to save her, but he could guarantee none of them would walk away from what they had done. His eyes were wild with madness as they settled on Jesse. The bastard wouldn't live to see another dawn.
Ian didn’t miss a beat. He strolled toward the demon in the process of mopping the floor with Jesse’s ass. “Well, well, what do we have here, Jesse? Looks like you've already managed to piss someone off, and we hadn't even got here yet. I can't believe it. You girls are having a party, and you didn’t think to invite us?”
The demon backed away. Jesse came to his feet and swayed, as he struggled to remain upright. Ian looked down and noticed the wet stain on the front of Jesse’s jeans, at the same time Shayne did. Ian took a quick sniff before grimacing. “On second thought, this is one party I wouldn’t have minded missing.”
Shayne advanced, his eyes never leaving Jesse’s face. “Jesse,” he said, coldly. “You bastard. You fucked with my woman, and now she’s lying dead on the floor? Tonight you’re going to die, as painfully as possible.”
Jesse screamed in panic, as he backed away. “I never wanted her,” he cried, holding his hands up to ward Shayne off. “That bastard, Mephistopheles, forced me to do it.” He pointed towards the demon. “I don’t do fat chicks,” he continued, in a disgusted voice. “I never have.”
Shayne backhanded him across his face, hard. Jesse fell down crying, holding his cheek. “You aren’t man enough for any woman,” he said, his own voice cold. “Especially a goddess like Anna.” Shayne was done with him, for the moment. Jesse was beneath his contempt.
Turning, he faced Mephistopheles. Then he attacked, not caring if he lived or died. Shayne fought the fight of a man who had nothing left to live for. Everything he ever was—or could have been—had ended with the last breath of the woman lying on the cold floor.
Ian quickly went over to Jesse, picking up where Shayne had left off. Jesse squealed as he fell down, the high pitch of the sound rivaling the screams of any woman. Ian swung his sword up to deliver the death blow.
“Wait,” Jesse squeaked, from his position on the floor. “I can’t die,” he said, desperately. “Mephistopheles, help me!”
Mephistopheles used the distraction to quickly push a button. Then he laughed, as the motors lifted the heavy panes of glass to the cells. Shayne exchanged a look with Ian. In seconds, countless demons would be released, and both of them knew what that meant.
Mephistopheles looked coldly at Jesse. “You’re of no use to me now,” he replied, in an icy voice. “Which is why I was in the process of killing you, when I was so rudely interrupted. The tool is dead, and so are you. Be it from their hands, mine, or one of the creatures soon racing towards you, Hell will see you tonight.”
Jesse took off running, but none of them pursued him. With Anna gone, Jesse had no more worth. He was as good as dead. Hell had tricked him with the promise of immortality, and his soul would pay for his mistake for an eternity. Seconds later, they heard his chilling screams, as one of the escaped demons got their first prey. Jesse wouldn’t be a problem to anyone, not anymore.
Shayne raced towards Anna and scooped her up. Tears welled behind his eyelids for the woman he’d found but lost too soon. The demons weren't getting her, dead or not. They'd have to kill him first.
Setting her down against the concrete wall, Shayne stood in front of her, determined to protect her, even in death. He raised his sword, as more creatures began to run out of their cells. Ian stood beside him, and the two men nodded at one another. A lot was said in that silent look. Each respected the other as a warrior and a friend. There wasn’t anyone else they’d rather die in battle with. As one, they turned and faced the creatures for their final battle. Both of them realized the odds of walking away were slim to none.
The first wave of demons attacked. Shayne and Ian fought ferociously, sweat pouring down their faces, as they destroyed numerous beings. Each time one fell down, another took its place. Shayne's arms began to tremble as even more poured out of their cells. He was sure Ian was experiencing the same discomfort.
Mephistopheles released a crazed giggle. “The first one to kill an endurer gets to dine on his innards,” he announced loudly, over the roar of the battle. The creatures attacked even harder, eager for the reward promised by their leader.
An elevator dinged behind Shayne, an instant before the doors slid open. Daring a quick look over his shoulder, he gave a sigh of relief when he saw Arch and Germael step out. Both angels were strapped with weapons and ready for war.
“About damned time,” Shayne muttered, slicing through another creature. “Leave it to you to find an elevator in this hellhole, Arch,” he said, in a louder voice. Ian chuckled next to him. Their chances of survival had just gone up, exponentially.
“Yeah, I’m just smart like that,” Arch replied, as he headed right into the horde of creatures. The two angels divided up, moving in different directions as they fought. “Even better, I brought back up.” He swung his sword, taking down several demons, before turning
