Wheels hiss as the spike strip laying across the road does its job puncturing tires. Easy and effective. Swerving sideways, the lorry tries to regain control over the tarmac. Brakes screech violently.

That’s my cue.

Vaulting over the short wall, I sprint towards it. We’ve picked the perfect location. It’s out of the way right next to an industrial estate. Some of the buildings have been left abandoned.

The weight of the new pistol feels good in my hand. Gabriel chose well.

I clock the men climbing out of the four SUV’s. Big, muscular, they give off the demonic vibe. The dark shades they wear are also a tell. But I need to be sure before I start shooting.

“They’re all demons,” Snatch confirms, yelling from somewhere behind me.

It’s all the go ahead I need.

I deal with my darkness by letting it come out and play in times like these.

It’s always there.

Wanting a release.

Whispering.

Awareness ripples through the males. They know their cover has been blown.

I start firing before they even have a chance. Pulling the trigger, I don’t lose eye contact as my bullets punch neat holes in the foreheads of the first three. They go down fast. With blessed ammo, it doesn’t leave them breathing.

Fear is only in the mind. Shutting it down is something I’ve found easy to do. I never let it take over. That causes mistakes.

Raising their own guns, I note they have AK47’s. Fuck. Cheap, easy to operate, and rarely jams.

Bullets start flying as they open fire.

Ducking behind a wall, I automatically reload. “Leo!”

“On it,” he shouts back.

Taking that as a given, I step back around into the fray.

Human disguises evaporating like mist, what lays beneath is now visible. Short horns curl up from their heads. Noses bulbous, they snarl between thick rubbery lips.

The sound of Caesar's Glock firing rings out. To my left a demon goes down.

With precision, I despatch another two.

That catches the other’s attention. Rounding on me, they take aim. I can see their red eyes focused on me with deadly intent.

Where the fuck is Leo? There’s no sign of his bright pink and white shirt anywhere in sight.

“Dazzle.”

It’s the only warning I get from Caesar. Screwing my eyes shut, I still manage to see the blast of the stun grenade through my closed eyelids. It lights up the air so bright it can burn retinas. When I peek, pinpricks of colour dance through my vision. Before me, the demons are in chaos. Blinded, they bump into each other as they panic.

As if by magic, they’re thrown backwards.

“About bloody time,” I snap, darting a glare at the telekinetic. “What were you doing? Scratching you arse?”

“Ah sweet Jesus, she’s got that look in her eye again,” Leo warns, before taking a swig of his hip flask.

He’s lasted most of the day without booze. Should have known it was too good to be true. It makes me wonder when he slipped? On the way here in the van? He was in the back after all. Not much I can do about it now. No time. Once we get back to base, I’ll leave it to our boss to deal with him.

“Which look?” Caesar asks from his hiding spot.

“The one where everything is about to get messy.”

He’s right. I’m still pissed about my bike. Douche might not be here, but these poor fuckers are.

Striding towards the males pinned by Leo’s powers on the ground, I take them down without mercy. A single bullet right between the eyes.

“Fucking bitch.” The last one spits.

Gesturing with my weapon, I circle it slowly towards his different body parts. “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.” In for a penny, in for a pound. Shooting him in the foot, he screams.

“Oops, sorry, twitchy finger,” I sing song, skipping closer towards him, watching him bleed.

“You’re fucking crazy.” He drags himself backwards. He’s not going anywhere. I need to be sure they have what we came for. Insurance is always good.

“Mavi, play nice.” Leo scolds, his cheeks flushed, eyes already glazing. Drunk bastard.

“I always play nice.” Slamming my foot into the demon’s face, I make sure to knock him out. We’re ready for a party, but getting him in the building I prepared especially can be tricky if he’s conscious. They like to fight. Pain is something they’re used to. What comes next has to be beyond a normal interrogation.

“Get him inside, if you still have enough coordination,” I instruct, holstering my weapon.

“I can assure you I am not that wasted.” He blusters, raking a hand through his blonde hair.

Wiggling his fingers, Leo levitates the male into the air. It saves us carrying his heavy arse.

Directing him forward, he manoeuvres him right where we need him to be. It doesn’t take long to get him inside the room. It’s bare. An unused concrete shell.

The metal chair is bolted to the ground.

As the demon’s body droops onto it, Snatch helps me chain him up. The restrains are made from stainless steel and secured to the floor. They’ll keep his arms down. We don’t need him getting loose.

Heading back outside, we check the lorry. It’s empty. Lucky for us this place is abandoned with no audience to alert the police.

“God damn it.” I shout, punching the door. Have they been tipped off? This could have been a decoy.

“Gabriel would’ve warned us if this was a set up.”

I nod at Caesar. Our Boss is always careful.

“Where in the fuck sake does this leave us now?” Leo asks with a frown. “We’re knee deep in demon bodies and shit to show for it.”

“It’s a good job we kept one alive then.” Snatch points out. “Mavi can do her thing.”

He’s right.

Stalking about into the warehouse, I flex my fingers. We need answers. Whatever the fuck is going on we won’t be leaving until we have them.

“Leo, go keep a look out.” I order. We don’t need some arsehole sneaking up on us now. They still might have back up.

Giving me a salute, and a chug from his hip flask, he heads back outside.

Snatch and Caesar remain. They linger in the back, half hidden by the shadows. I can practically taste their nervousness. This part disturbs them.

Grabbing a handful of our prisoner’s greasy hair, I yank his head up. “Wakey wakey.” Using the back of my hand, I slap him hard.

One second he’s limp, the next awake. Struggling, it takes him a moment to work out his predicament. This is one of the fun parts. When they realise they have no means of escape. Any normal person wouldn’t get excited over this. But when have I ever been normal? Not once in my entire life.

“What the fuck? Let me up.”

Letting go of his locks, I stroll to where he can see me. “Sorry, not happening.”

I straddle his lap. That gets his attention. Hard ridge rising beneath me, I can’t help but grin.

“Want some fat Demon dick, do you?” Using his hips, he thrust up against me. I purr at the friction against my stretched jeans. It’s a decent size. Whoever he bangs wouldn’t complain.

Firmly taking a hold of his chin, I lick my tongue across his parted lips. “I don’t do your kind, but I’m very interested in another pointy part of you.”

Red eyes dilate at my actions.

Running the tips of my fingers up his stubbled cheeks, into his hair, I find his horns. Short and black, they aren’t anything impressive. They’re smooth to the touch. Rubbing my fingertips over the bottom, I work my way up.

The blood drains from his face. Whatever he’s seen in my expression he knows what I’m thinking is going to be painful. Way more than the hole I’ve left in his foot that’s still bleeding all over the floor.

“Snatch, what was that you were telling me before about these?” Curling my hand around them, I begin to pump up and down as if they’re another hard-straining part of his body. One I can feel swelling below me. Oh, he likes that. Likes it a lot.

“Errm, a demon losing his horns is shunned by the rest of his kind as it’s considered a weakness.” Snatch response is hoarse as he watches me.

Moaning suggestively, I wiggle my arse in my prisoner’s lap. I’m dry humping him and he’s loving it. Getting him off isn’t my aim, but I don’t mind some teasing. It might loosen his tongue.

Throat bobbing, his breathing elevates.

All the blood is rushing south and I know his mind is clouding with lust.

“Where’s the merchandise you’re transporting?” I ask in a breathy whisper against his ear. “Tell me where you’re hiding it and I’ll treat you real nice.”

“Fuck you.” The answer is gruff.

“Wrong answer.” Sinking my teeth into his ear, I bite down until I taste blood. The dark desire to make him bleed further coils through me. To cut through his flesh until my hands are covered in crimson, but I tamper it down, for now. Playing with him all night is something I don’t have time for. I need to extract the information as quickly as possible.

Yowling, he jerks his head back. “Psycho whore.”

He has no idea how accurate he is.

“No, I’m just a very bad girl.”

“I’m still not telling you jack shit.”

Twisted smile on my face, I sit back. “Caesar.”

Opening his duffel bag, my weapons expert produces a gouger. The implement is a long, hinged closed set of scoops. Normally, it’s used to dehorn cattle. Also, handy when you’re dealing with monsters. When you’ve battled demons for as long as I have you soon learn their weaknesses.

“Now, don’t move. I want to make sure this is done safely.” I tell our prisoner as I accept the device Caesar hands me.

“Get that thing away from me.” He hisses back.

“Don’t make me gag you.”

Dehorning is simple. It’s a method I’ve used before. On the outside of the horn he won’t feel a thing. It’s once the blade hits the inner core his pain receptors will start screaming.

I have to move swiftly. He’s jolting his head around so much things might get messy.

One blow to the jaw and he’s stunned enough for me to work.

Placing it over his horn, I make sure to press the sharp scoops to the base and surrounding skin. Opening the handle forces the cutting edge together. It’s quick. Sudden. As it slices through soft flesh the demon shrieks in agony.

Blood pours from the hole that’s left. It drenches his face as well as my hands. It’s a beautiful sight. Crimson, perfect, warm to the touch.

“Hidden space under the sleeping area in the cab of the truck.” He sobs, shaking. I don’t know if it’s from shock or bloodless. Maybe both. But I just don’t care.

Bending his head back with his good horn, I menacingly stare down at him. “You’re not lying to me, are you? Maybe I should remove this one to be sure.”

“No, no please. It’s true.”

He’s desperate. The fear is clear and real.

“Caesar, tell Leo to check the cab.”

Raising his walkie talkie, he mumbles into it. This shouldn’t take long.

“He’s confirmed, there’s some kind of storage area tucked away below.” He informs me, retrieving the bloodied dehorner I hold out.

The demon beneath me sags. Now that he’s given up the goods he thinks he’s safe. Doesn’t he realize he has a monster on his lap? Silly boy.

I reach behind my back. A sturdy grip greets my fingers. Thrusting the knife into my captive’s chest, I twist the blade, enjoying every second as he screams. He doesn't last long. Direct hit to the heart never does. Still perched on his lap, I relish every twitch and jerk of his body as the life ebbs out of his red eyes.

“Can I just say I’m terrified and yet powerfully aroused right now.” Snatch mutters, plucking nervously at the sleeve of his sweatshirt. “You’re like a wet dream and a nightmare in one.”

I throw him an amused look. “Gabriel said no survivors.”

“It scares the shit out of me how much you enjoy doing all this.”

He should be frightened. I do enjoy it. The beast within me, my darker side revels in what I do.

I don’t bother to reply. Instead, I free my bloodied knife and wiggle off the corpse.

My clothes are ruined. Blood is everywhere, but I wear it proudly like war paint. It’s not the first time. Won’t be the last.

“Let’s get this package and get the hell out of here.”

Someone will send a clean-up crew for this mess. It’s procedure. Either our side or theirs. No one can risk the world discovering what’s going on. It would risk a panic. One neither Heaven or Hell can afford.

“Houston, we have a problem.” Leo’s muffled voice calls from inside the front of the truck.

“Now what?” Climbing up to join him, Snatch brings up the rear. We find him topping off his liquor from a stash the occupants must have kept.

“This item Gabriel wants isn’t exactly what I was expecting.” Hands shaking, he manages to spill some of the alcohol over his jeans.

Fighting the urge to slap it out of his hand, I grit my teeth instead. “Why, what is it?”

“It’s not a what, but a who.” Nudging his chin down, my gaze follows the movement to the compartment hidden below the cabin bed. It’s only open a crack. Within lays darkness.

Dropping to my haunches, I take a good hold and heave it up.

“Holy shit.” Snatch whispers behind me.

Looking down, I see the girl.

She’s young. Around sixteen or seventeen at a guess. Dark blue haunted eyes stare unblinkingly back up at me. Whoever she is, she’s traumatized. I’ve seen that look too many times before not to know.

“Snatch?”

“Oooh shiny.”

“What do you mean, shiny?”

The look on her dirty face reminds me of the one my brother wore when our uncle finally found us in the school basement as children. Unease twists inside me. The memory leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth.

“Her aura is really bright.”

Shifting on my feet, I try to dispel my mental discomfort. “Like what? An Angel?”

“Nope.” He replies, popping the P. “More like disco lights.”

“You don’t know what she is?”

“Not a clue,” he confirms.

“Fantastic.” I sigh.

She must be important for the demons to have her and our archangel to want her.

“You two get her out of here and I’ll phone the boss.” Turning, I leave the cab of the truck before they can argue. I don’t want to feel pity for her. She’s nothing but a job. Softer feelings are better from the guys. If she needs comfort and a therapist that has nothing to do with me.

Caesar gives me a questioning look as I jump down.

“You’ll find out in a second.” I assure him. Fishing out my phone, I hit speed dial.

“We got the girl. Who is she?” I say, the moment Gabriel picks up my call.

“It’s on a need to know basis.”

“And let me guess, we don’t need to know.”

“Exactly. I need you to sit with her until I can give you the all clear to bring her to Cease Fire.”

I wait a beat. This is not like him. He sounds...guarded. As if something isn’t quite right. “Are you expecting trouble?”

“Something like that,” he confirms.

Why does that not sound good? In all the time I’ve known him he’s never gone for games. It has me worried. “Fine, but don’t keep us hanging too long.”

Not waiting for him to reply, I cut the conversation short. Hanging around here for too long will only get us caught. We need to move.

Glancing around, I find Snatch and Leo helping the girl down. I was kind of expecting her to fight. Demons aren’t known for gentleness. God knows what they did to her. More than likely she’s been abused and raped repeatedly. Head lowered, she moves timidly, not saying a word. She’s a skinny thing. Looks half-starved from the way her clothes hang from her slender frame. Again, memories from my past try to sift to the surface but I suppress them back.

“Caesar, Leo, take her to the safe house. Gabriel wants us to babysit her for a few days.”

I know it’s not what they want to hear. We’re going to have to take this in shifts.

“Seriously?” Leo questions, annoyance clear.

“Yes. Tomorrow Snatch and I will take over. Get her fed and cleaned up.”

If he makes this difficult I’ll end up punching him. I’m not thrilled about this either, but there is nothing I can do.

“Why can’t you do it?”

“I’ve got plans tonight so I can’t.”

I haven’t forgotten my date with Max. It’s been in the back of my mind the whole day. I’ve been unable to shake him from my thoughts.

“Ooh, more dick?” Leo asks, eyes narrowed on my face. I must have let something slip in my expression. Shit. I don’t do personal stuff with them. What I do on my own time is my own business. Two worlds I keep separate.

“Just do as your told,” I growl back.