The two women took the lead, heading for the main stairwell. They headed up, floor by floor, taking out demons as they went. When they reached the penthouse, it felt mostly empty, with a dark aura of black magic emanating from the open area outside.
“This is it,” Jenny said. “He’s out there.”
They paused, all of them trying to think of a plan. As they headed for the outdoor area, a group of people suddenly leapt out from behind a nearby desk and bolted for the elevator.
One of the guys fleeing was a scientist who had personally tortured Flash. “You!” he screamed. Fury bloomed inside him, a terrible rage like nothing he’d ever known.
Without thinking, he turned to the fleeing group and chased them. He’d barely taken two steps before he felt a hand on his arm.
“Flash,” Cassandra said, her voice soft. “Stop.”
“No!” he screamed, fighting her. “He’s getting away. I have to kill him ... I have to!”
“No, Flash,” Cass said. “There’s no time.”
“I don’t care,” Flash roared, tearing free of her grip. “He has to die. Do you know what that fucker did to me?”
“No, not entirely,” Cass said. “But what I do know is that I need you right now.”
Her words penetrated the red haze that swamped his mind. He turned and looked into her beautiful blue eyes, the peace in her gaze like a balm for his wounded soul.
“I need you to stop the ritual. Please, don’t give in to your anger,” Cass begged.
Flash turned away from her to watch the scientist flee.
I can still catch him if I start running right now.
Flash took a step toward the elevator, almost ready to shift so he could tear the guy to pieces. Cassandra tugged on his arm again, but he didn’t look back.
“Flash!” Cass cried. “Please, I need you. I need … my mate.”
As the word left her lips, Flash felt a curious feeling cascade through him. It was shock and surprise mixed with an incredible feeling of warmth and intimacy. He turned slowly, falling into her blue eyes all over again.
“Mate?” he whispered. “You need me to be your mate?”
“Yes, Flash,” Cassandra said, throwing herself into his arms. “I need you, both of you.”
Incredible joy rushed through him as he kissed Cassandra. They were together, really, truly together, and now he knew nothing could ever keep them apart.
“As fun as it is watching you two suck face,” Jenny muttered, “are we going to … like go?”
“Yes,” Cass said, stepping away from Flash. “Yes, let’s do it.”
They approached the glass doors that led out onto the rooftop. Ba’al stood in a circle of blood with symbols drawn inside it. Seven candles ringed the outline.
“No pentagram?” Flash asked, confused.
“Don’t get me started on the appropriation of ancient pagan symbols by Christianity,” Cass snapped.
“Or the birth of complex writing from sacred geometry,” Jenny put in. Flash saw the two women give each other an appreciative look and fist bump.
“Okay, this is what we’re going to do,” Cass said. “You guys come at him from both sides. He’s full of power right now, so he’s going to cream you. Jenny, creep around and hit him from the front while he’s dealing with the guys. I’ll be sneaking up behind him. I literally only need two seconds for the killing blow.”
All of them got into position, and Cass waited in the dark shadows by the door. Flash crept around the far side of the roof, watching Slade so they could coordinate their attack.
When they were both in position, they nodded to each other and sprang in perfect time. Their hearts, minds, and even souls in sync.
Ba’al roared as they flew at him, stretching out his hands to hold them in midair.
