The barn was gone.
Or rather, not gone. It had been reduced to a pile of rubble. Flames licked along one side, rapidly gaining momentum.
Jessie’s heart stopped.No.They’d been in there—both men she loved.
Suddenly, Cody was beside them, and Cara raced through the door. Willow galloped toward them, braying. Spike was standing in the middle of the yard, barking frantically.
“Zach...” Jessie gasped. “And Kade.”
Kitani cried out and leaped toward the barn. Cody wrapped a long arm around her to hold her back.
“Wait.” The dark Sabre grasped her tighter. “It might not be over. Things could still blow.”
“Is there a hose?” Cara glanced around. “We have to stop the fire.”
Jessie ran for the hose that Zach kept coiled at the back of the house. She was joined by Ryan who, by his lack of attire, had been on patrol. He grabbed the hose and ran as she turned on the tap.
She followed him. He concentrated on the flames along one edge. The water seemed woefully inadequate.
Trevor and Cody were already at the pile of rubble. Kitani stood off to one side, growling, the bones of her face shifting back and forth as she watched. Laura ran from the house and froze, staring in shock at the devastation.
Jessie joined Cara as she moved among the debris and through the smoke. A small form darted ahead of them—Buffy bounced through the shattered boards, every hair bristled erect.
From the back of the barn, wood and metal heaved upward to reveal a Sabre in beast form. Shreds of cloth hung off his big frame. Blood dripped from his face and shoulders. He dragged one leg, from which a piece of metal protruded.
Kade. Alive. Jessie’s heart twisted as she reached for him.
“It was a bloody drrone.” He snarled and bent to throw chunks of barn in all directions.
A drone? Jessie stared at him, confused.
“Herre. Zach was herre. The drrone blew us up.”
As Cody moved to help him, something howled to the west. And then another to the east.
Kade cursed. His glowing gold eyes met Jessie’s.
“They’ve taken out Zach,” he said.
No, he couldn’t be dead. Everything spun around her as her heart screamed in denial.Zach...
“The Dires are coming for you.” Cara’s eyes widened.
Jessie couldn’t breathe. They were coming. And this time, Zach wasn’t here to stop them.
* * *
Kade’s heart raced as he gestured to Ryan and Cody.
“Go.” He pointed. “You need to hold them off.”
They went, Cody shifting straight through his clothes. Jessie ran forward to take the hose. The flames were spreading despite the water.
“Find him!” Jessie’s voice broke.
Kade had to find Zach. But Jessie—Braden was coming for her.
He gestured to her. His beast form was not as expressive as his human one, so it translated to a swipe of his paw. “Forrget that. Get Laurra. Take my truck. You two have to go. Now.”
