The Darkness Within (Demon Elite Death Squad #1)

BLADE 4

Blade is sitting alone in a quiet corner of the room, his phone in hand, his thoughts already on what he needs to say. Becoming mated is a rare thing, and as the only one among his Elite brothers to have found a mate, he knows the news will come as a shock. He also knows it will change things. The headquarters is not set up for humans—it is a place of shadows, hardened by battles and secrets, and bringing Rayne into that world would mean altering it in ways they had never considered.

He dials the number to headquarters, the familiar tones humming in his ear before a voice answer on the other end.

“Elite Command,” the voice says, firm and efficient.

“It’s Blade. Put me through to Command,” he replies, his voice steely. Within seconds, the call is transferred, and the familiar voice of Gage, the head of their operations, is heard on the line.

“Blade! It’s been a while. I take it you have an update on Rake?”

“More than that,” Blade replies, a hint of tension in his tone. “I’m mated, Gage. And that changes things. I need protection for her.”

There is a pause on the line before Gage responds, surprise evident in his voice. “Mated? Damn, Blade, I didn’t think that would ever happen to one of us. None of us ever found a mate, not in all these years.”

“Neither did I,” Blade admits, “but here we are. She’s a human, and that means she’s vulnerable. If Rake finds out, he’ll use her against me, and I can’t risk that. I need her protected.”

“Understood,” Gage says, all business now. “We’ll make the arrangements. But you know what this means. We’ll need to change things at headquarters. It’s not exactly human-friendly.”

“I know. But it’s what has to be done,” Blade warns, his voice resolute. “I won’t bring her into this world without making sure it’s safe for her. I need to know she’ll be looked after when I’m not there.”

“Then consider it done. We’ll set up the protections and make the necessary modifications,” Gage assures him. “Bring her in as soon as you can. The others will want to meet her.”

Blade ends the call, exhaling a long breath. He had known this wouldn’t be easy, but hearing it confirmed made the weight of his decision settle even more heavily on his shoulders. He knew his brothers would have questions, but he also knew they would understand. They were family, and family protected its own.

◆◆◆

Blade and Scar pull up to the Elite headquarters, a sprawling complex hidden in the heart of the mountains, cloaked by ancient wards that keep it hidden from human eyes. The building itself is a blend of stone and metal, a fortress that has stood for centuries, its walls etched with protective symbols and ancient runes that shimmer faintly in the dim light. The headquarters was more than just a base—it was their sanctuary, a place they had built and fortified over the years to withstand any threat.

As they enter, Blade is greeted by the familiar sight of his six brothers, each one a towering figure of strength and skill, their presence filling the room with a sense of camaraderie and unspoken loyalty. There is Gage, the eldest and their leader, with silver hair and a piercing gaze that could cut through steel. Beside him stood Talon, with jet-black hair and a tattoo of a raven on his forearm, known for his agility and sharp instincts.

Next to Talon was Kade, a quiet giant with a scar across his cheek, a reminder of a battle long past. He is the team’s tracker, able to sense energy trails that no one else could. Reed, with his wild auburn hair and easy grin, was their strategist, always a step ahead in planning their next move. Soren, the youngest but just as fierce, had icy blue eyes and an affinity for weapons, his skills with a blade unmatched. And then there was Fynn, the team’s healer, his hands capable of mending wounds and soothing pain, though he could be just as lethal in battle.

They greet Blade and Scar with nods and claps on the shoulder, their eyes filled with curiosity and the silent questions that they all are holding back, waiting for Blade to speak.

“Brothers,” Blade began, his tone serious, “I have news. I’ve found my mate. Her name is Rayne, and she’s a human. I need to bring her here, and we need to make this place safe for her.”

Talon lets out a low whistle, a grin spreading across his face. “A human mate? Didn’t see that one coming, Blade. But I’m happy for you. Guess that means we’ll have to do some redecorating.”

“More than that,” Kade adds, his deep voice resonating through the room. “We’ll need to reinforce the wards. If Rake catches wind of this, he’ll come after her.”

Gage nods, already assessing the adjustments they would need to make. “I’ve spoken to Command. They’re sending additional resources to fortify our defences. We’ll set up a safe room for her, a place where she can stay if things get dangerous.”

Reed steps forward, his gaze serious. “If she’s going to be part of this, she should know what we do. We can’t hide things from her. She needs to understand what it means to be mated to an Elite.”

Blade nods, understanding the weight of Reed’s words. Rayne would need to know the risks, the dangers that come with being part of their world. But he also knew that she was stronger than she realized.

With the issue of Rayne’s safety addressed, Blade and Scar shift their focus to the matter at hand—Rake. They gather around the central table, where a map of the city is spread out, marked with notes and pins indicating Rake’s last known locations.

“We tracked him to an old warehouse on the east side,” Scar began, pointing to a red pin on the map. “He’s been using it as a meeting point, but he’s never there for long. It’s like he knows we’re on his trail.”

“Rake’s always been slippery,” Soren comments, his arms crossed over his chest. “But he’s gotten bolder. He’s leaving more bodies behind, drawing attention. He wants us to find him, to challenge him.”

“That’s because he’s planning something big,” Blade replies, his voice dark. “We think he’s trying to perform a ritual, something tied to the old ways. If he succeeds, he’ll gain enough power to tear through the Veil and unleash chaos on both our world and the human one.”

“Then we need to move fast,” Fynn states, his gaze steely. “We can’t let him complete that ritual. If he does, none of us will be safe.”

Gage looks around at each of them, his expression grim. “We’ve faced worse. Rake may be dangerous, but he’s not invincible. We’ll tighten our search, track down his followers, and cut off his resources. He won’t be able to hide for long.”

The others nod, a sense of resolve settling over them. They were brothers, bound not just by duty but by a loyalty that had been forged in the fires of battle. They would face this threat together, as they always had, protecting their world, and now, for the first time, one of their own who had something precious to lose.

As the meeting concluded, the team began discussing the changes they would need to make to accommodate Rayne. Talon offered to set up a room for her, ensuring it was comfortable and safe. Fynn prepared to reinforce the wards around headquarters, layering them with additional protections that would keep out any threat. Soren and Reed discussed the possibility of installing surveillance to monitor the perimeter, leaving nothing to chance.

Blade felt a swell of gratitude as he watched his brothers work together, each one taking on a role to protect not just him, but the woman he loved. He knew that bringing Rayne into this world was a risk, but with his brothers by his side, he felt a sense of hope, a confidence that they could face whatever came their way.

As they make their preparations, Blade’s thoughts turn to Rayne, wondering how she would feel stepping into this world, seeing the place where he lived and fought, the place he had called home for so many years. He knew it would be an adjustment, but he also knew that together, they could face anything.

Blade took one last look around the headquarters, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He would protect Rayne, just as he had sworn to do, and with his brothers at his side, he knew they would emerge victorious.

The hunt for Rake continued, but now, with Rayne by his side, Blade knew that he had more than just duty driving him forward—he had love, and that made him more determined than ever.