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Financial District

YVESWICH, STATE OF KER

Travisand the others made it to the street where they’d find Lucent Enterprises right on time.

“I think we might actually be early,” he said as he checked the time on his phone. “Yup—early.”

The city was so cold, he could hardly feel his toes, could hardly move his fingers that were wrapped around an automatic rifle. Up ahead, stretching all the way up to the forcefield, was a massive wall of black shadow. The whole of the Lucent Enterprises building was engulfed in that darkness. Utterly blinding, it was the perfect habitat for monsters.

Literally. Travis could hear them roaring up a storm in there. The only consolation in this mess was knowing the monsters wouldn’t be able to see them once they went inside—as long as they kept their shields of magic up to mask their scents and sounds. They were all pretty drained from taking turns charging the warhead, so relying on their magic was…well, risky. They would have to take turns. Make sure no one was using their magic for too long.

The rest of their group—Dominic, Blue, Maya, Magenta, and the Sylphen—were currently heading to the roof of the tallest skyscraper in the South Coastal District, one that alignedperfectly with the Control Tower. As long as Dominic managed to aim true, that tower would be coming down in no time. The Angel was the best person for the job; Travis had zero doubts that he could hit any target.

Including one that was barely visible. Like the tower.

Now that they were really doing this, Travis realized how lucky they were that the Control Tower was so tall. About half of it—the bottom half—had been completely devoured by shadow. It was at the top half where Dominic would have to aim. It didn’t really matterwherethe missile hit, though, just as long as it hit. The raw magic would be powerful enough to collapse it.

As Travis waited for Darien to call, he rolled his shoulders and recited the plan in his head. Using it to fuel him.

Get the syringes so we don’t stop breathing when the tower comes down.

Meet up with the others in the South Coastal District.

Take down that fucking tower.

He hadn’t felt this hopeful in days. The moment he saw Roman, he’d give him the biggest hug and smooch on the cheek. He could already picture him growling and wiping the spit off his face. He couldn’t wait.

“When’s that asshole supposed to call you?” Malakai asked as he paced across the sidewalk.

“Darien,”Travis corrected, “is supposed to call me—” He checked his phone. Frowned. “—three minutes ago.”

The rest of the group—Malakai, Aspen, Jewels, Dallas, and Max—shared glances. Sure, Darien wasn’t the most punctual person in the world, but it wasn’t like him to be late for something like this. Something that was literally life or death.

“I’m sure he’s just getting ready,” he assured them.

Jewels rubbed her chest.

Aspen whispered something to Malakai and cupped her throat.

Yeah, it was getting hard to breathe. Especially now that they were over here, where the shadow was thicker. Suffocating. The minute that tower came down, there was no question they’d all drop dead if they didn’t have the life serum in their bloodstreams.

Malakai said, “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if we don’t do this right the fuck now, we’re going to run out of time.”

“He’llcall,”Travis snapped. “Just give him a second.”

Malakai muttered under his breath, but didn’t argue.