The Darkness Within (Demon Elite Death Squad #1)

BLADE 6

Over the next few days, Rayne settles into headquarters, gradually finding her place within the fortress-like compound. The Elite members are often away, handling missions or gathering intelligence, but when they are there, they make her feel welcome. Despite their imposing appearances, she finds them warm and surprisingly easy to talk to, each one with his own distinct personality.

Rayne quickly learns that Gage, with his quiet authority, is a natural leader, guiding the others with a steady hand and a calm that reassures her. He will often stop by to check on her, offering advice and occasionally sharing stories from his past. One afternoon, he brings her tea and sits with her in the common room, speaking in his deep, steady voice about the battles they’d faced over the years.

“Blade’s a good man,” Gage confesses, giving her a rare, soft smile. “He’s different now that you’re here. I’ve known him a long time, but I’ve never seen him like this—protective, but at peace.”

Talon, on the other hand, was the jokester of the group. He would often tease her, making light-hearted remarks that kept her laughing, easing the tension of her new life. He is also fiercely protective, often reminding her not to wander off without one of them nearby. “The last thing I need,” he jokes one evening, “is Blade going berserk because I let his mate out of my sight.”

She also finds herself connecting with Kade, the quiet giant, who has a soft spot for nature and will sometimes bring her wildflowers he finds on his patrols. She appreciates his gentleness, the way he seems to understand her need for peace amid the chaos.

Reed and Soren take it upon themselves to teach her some self-defence moves, insisting she know how to protect herself. Though their sessions are intense, they manage to make her feel stronger, more confident. “You’re tougher than you look,” Soren confirms with a grin after one particularly gruelling session. “Blade got himself a fighter.”

Fynn, the healer, is often there to provide comfort when she feels overwhelmed, his soothing presence and kind words helping her to adjust. “You’re part of the family now,” he assures her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We look out for our own.”

Each interaction makes Rayne feel more connected to the team, as if she were becoming a part of their close-knit world, and it wasn’t long before she began to feel at home.

Among the Elite, Scar had always been Blade’s closest confidant. Rayne found herself naturally drawn to him, sensing the deep bond he and Blade shared. Scar had a rugged charm, with a quick wit and a protective nature that reminded her of an older brother. He often had a teasing grin and a glint in his eye, though she could see the seriousness lurking beneath his playful exterior.

One afternoon, she finds Scar in the training room, sharpening a knife with a level of focus that speaks to his years of experience. He looks up as she enters, flashing her a grin. “Well, if it isn’t our newcomer. How are you holding up, Rayne?”

She returns his smile, taking a seat on a nearby bench. “Better, thanks to all of you. This place is... intense, but I feel like I’m finding my way.”

“Good,” he replies, his gaze softening. “You know, we were all a bit surprised when Blade brought you here. But seeing you two together, it makes sense. He’s different with you around. Lighter, I guess you could say.”

Rayne nods, warmth spreading through her chest at his words. “He means a lot to me. I know this world isn’t easy, but I want to be here, with him—and with all of you.”

Scar nods approvingly, setting down his knife as he leaned back. “You’re stronger than you look, you know. I can see why Blade found his match in you.” He chuckles, adding, “Don’t tell him I said that. I wouldn’t want him getting a big head.”

Rayne laughs, feeling more at ease with Scar than she had with anyone in a long time. Despite his tough exterior, she can tell he has a soft spot for those he cares about, and she appreciates the way he welcomes her into their fold.

He continues, his tone turning serious. “Look, I’ve been with Blade through a lot. He’s like a brother to me. That means you’re family now, too. If you ever need anything, or if he ever drives you crazy, you know where to find me.”

Rayne feels a surge of gratitude, touched by his loyalty and openness. “Thank you, Scar. That means a lot.”

He shrugs, brushing off the sentiment with a grin. “Anytime. Besides, I’ll keep an eye on you when he’s off saving the world. Someone’s got to make sure he doesn’t mess things up.”

Their easy banter continues, and Rayne finds herself feeling more at home with each passing day, the bonds she is forming with the Elite members adding a new layer of strength and security to her life.

One evening, after a long day of preparations, Rayne is alone in her room, gazing out the window at the stars. She hears a soft sound and turns to find Blade standing there, his expression gentle as he steps inside.

“Couldn’t sleep?” he asks, moving to sit beside her on the edge of the bed. His presence is comforting, grounding her in a way she hadn’t known she needed.

Rayne shakes her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “Just thinking. It’s a lot to take in, but I feel... happy. Safe, even.”

Blade reaches for her hand, intertwining their fingers as he looks into her eyes. “I’m glad,” he murmurs. “I know this isn’t easy, bringing you into this life. But I want you here, Rayne. I want you with me.”

She leans into him, resting her head on his shoulder as he wraps his arm around her, holding her close. They sit in comfortable silence for a while, the quiet moments stretching out as they simply enjoy being together.

Finally, Blade breaks the silence, his voice barely a whisper. “I’m not used to this, you know. This feeling... It’s like I’d do anything to protect you, to keep you safe. I’ve fought my whole life, but this is different. You make me feel whole.”

Rayne looks up at him, her heart swelling at his words. She reaches up, touching his face as she pulls him into a gentle kiss, valuing the warmth and tenderness that passes between them. In that moment, it is as if the world outside their room doesn’t exist, as if they are the only two people in the universe.

When they pull apart, she rests her forehead against his, their breaths mingling as they hold each other close. “I feel the same,” she whispers. “No matter what happens, I know I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

Blade kisses her again, slow and soft, his hands tracing comforting patterns along her back. They stay like that for a long time, wrapped up in each other, finding solace in the connection that binds them together.

◆◆◆

The next morning, the entire team gathers in the briefing room, a palpable tension hanging in the air as they prepare for their confrontation with Rake. The table is covered with maps and documents, marking the locations they believe Rake has been using as hideouts. The Elite members stand around the table, each one projecting an air of calm confidence that reassures Rayne.

Gage takes the lead, his gaze sweeping over the assembled team. “We’ve narrowed down Rake’s location. He’s been using the old Crossroads site as a base, and it’s clear he’s building up to something big. We need to hit him before he’s ready.”

Talon speaks up, pointing to a marked location on the map. “This is where he’s been last spotted. We’ve got two entry points here and here, but they’ll be heavily guarded. We’ll need to split up and take them by surprise.”

“We’ll go in pairs,” Gage continues, his voice steady. “Talon and I will take the west side. Reed, you’re with Soren on the east. Blade, you’ll lead the main assault with Kade.”

Blade nods, his expression resolute. “What about Rayne?”

“We’ll keep her here,” Fynn confirms, his gaze flicking to Rayne. “I’ll stay behind and monitor the situation from headquarters, ready to step in if needed.”

Rayne nods, knowing that this is the safest place for her. She meets Blade’s gaze across the table, he gives her a reassuring smile, a silent promise that everything will be alright.

As the team disperse to prepare, Blade pulls Rayne aside, holding her close as he presses a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be back,” he whispers, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. “And when this is over, we’ll have time. We’ll have a future.”

She nods, swallowing back the fear that threatens to rise. “I know. I trust you.”

With one last lingering kiss, Blade turns and joins the others, disappearing into the shadows as they prepare to confront the danger that lay ahead. Rayne watches him go, a fierce determination settling in her heart. No matter what happens, she will face it with courage, trusting in the bond that holds them together.

Rayne paces the length of her room, trying to shake off the feeling of dread that has settled in her chest. She’d woken up that morning with a strange, unshakable sense of unease, a tightness in her chest that only seemed to grow stronger as the hours passed. She knew it wasn’t just nerves. This was something deeper, something she felt through her connection to Blade.

She takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the anxiety only intensifies, like a drumbeat echoing in the back of her mind. She closes her eyes, focusing on Blade, on the warmth of his presence that she can sense even from afar. The bond between them pulses with energy, a silent reminder that they are connected, that she can feel him even when they are apart.

Suddenly, a jolt of fear shoots through her, so intense that it takes her breath away. She knows, instinctively, that it is coming from Blade. Something is wrong. She can feel his tension, the quickening of his pulse, the adrenaline that surges through him as he prepares for battle. She wraps her arms around herself, bracing against the wave of emotions that washes over her, knowing that whatever he is facing, it is serious.

Blade crouches behind a stack of rusted barrels, his eyes scanning the area around him as he prepares for the confrontation with Rake. The abandoned warehouse looms ahead, its broken windows and crumbling walls casting eerie shadows in the moonlight. The place reeks of decay and dark magic, the very air heavy with the scent of something unnatural.

Beside him, Scar tightens his grip on his weapon, his gaze hard and focused. The rest of the team has taken their positions, each one moving with a quiet efficiency that speaks to years of experience. Gage and Talon have circled around to the back entrance, while Reed and Soren cover the side exits. Kade has taken a vantage point on the roof, his sharp eyes trained on any movement within.

Blade signals to the others, his hand a quick blur in the darkness, and they move as one, each man slipping into his assigned position. He can feel the familiar rush of anticipation, the cold clarity that settles over him in moments like this. But beneath it all, he feels the warmth of Rayne’s presence, a steady pulse at the edge of his consciousness that reminds him of why he is here, of what he is fighting to protect.

They are close—he can sense Rake’s energy, a dark, twisted force that seems to seep into the very walls of the building. Blade exchanges a glance with Scar, a silent communication passing between them. They are ready.

Gage’s voice crackles over the earpiece. “Positions secure. On my mark, we go in.”

Blade takes a steadying breath, his senses on high alert. He can feel the tension radiating from his team, each one prepared for the fight that lay ahead. This is what they are trained for, what they lived for. But this time, the stakes are higher. This time, it is personal.

“Mark,” Gage’s voice commands, and they move as one, slipping into the building with silent precision.

Inside, the warehouse is a maze of shadows and debris. Blade can feel the darkness pressing in around them, the air thick with the scent of old blood and decay. They move through the aisles, each step careful and deliberate, their eyes scanning for any sign of movement.

And then he sees him—Rake, standing at the far end of the room, his back to them as he mutters in a language that makes Blade’s skin crawl. The rogue demon is tall and lean, his body radiating a dark, malevolent energy that seems to distort the air around him. Blade can see the twisted symbols carved into Rake’s skin, remnants of the ancient ritual he is trying to complete.

“Rake!” Blade’s voice cut through the silence, hard and unyielding.

Rake turns slowly, a twisted smile curling across his lips as his gaze settles on Blade. “Ah, the Elite Squad. Always so predictable.” His voice is smooth, mocking, as if he hasn’t a care in the world. “And here I thought you’d forgotten about me.”

Blade steps forward, his stance steady as he levels his weapon at Rake. “It’s over, Rake. You can’t hide anymore.”

Rake’s laughter echoes through the warehouse, a cold, hollow sound that makes the hairs on the back of Blade’s neck stand on end. “Hide? Oh, I’m not hiding. I’m just getting started.”

Before Blade can react, Rake moves, his body a blur of motion as he launches himself at them. The warehouse erupts into chaos, the air filled with the clash of weapons and the crackle of dark magic. Blade fights with a fierce intensity, his every movement precise and calculated, but Rake is relentless, his attacks wild and unpredictable.

Scar moves in beside him, his blade flashing as he blocks one of Rake’s strikes, giving Blade the opening he needs to press forward. Together, they drive Rake back, forcing him to retreat, but he fights with a desperation that speaks of someone with nothing left to lose.

Reed and Soren flank Rake from either side, their weapons cutting through the darkness as they close in. Gage and Talon cover the exits, making sure there is no way out. But Rake is cunning, his movements slippery and evasive, always one step ahead as he ducks and weaves, avoiding their attacks with an almost supernatural agility.

Blade can feel the surge of adrenaline, the thrill of the fight coursing through his veins. But there is something else, too—a sense of urgency, of desperation that he hasn’t felt before. He knows that Rayne is feeling it, too, that she can sense his fear, his determination, through their bond. He pushes forward, his mind focused on ending this, on stopping Rake once and for all.

But just as they seem to have him cornered, Rake twists, his body dissolving into a cloud of dark smoke that fills the room, choking the air and obscuring their vision. Blade swings his weapon, cutting through the smoke, but it is too late. Rake has slipped away, his laughter echoing through the warehouse as he disappears into the shadows.

“Damn it!” Blade curses, his fists clenched as the smoke begins to clear, leaving them alone in the empty warehouse. He can feel the frustration, the anger bubbling up inside him, but he forces himself to stay calm, to think.

Gage’s voice breaks through the silence, steady and composed. “We’ll get him. He can’t run forever.”

Blade nods, though the tension in his shoulders doesn’t ease. He knows Gage is right, but the thought of Rake slipping away, of the danger he still poses, leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. He looks around at his team, each one of them breathing hard, their faces a mixture of anger and determination.

Scar claps a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “We’ll find him, Blade. And when we do, he won’t get away again.”

Blade nods, his jaw set. He knows this isn’t over. Rake has escaped, but they had him on the run. And with the Elite by his side, Blade knew they would hunt him down, no matter how long it took. He glances up, his thoughts turning to Rayne, to the warmth of their bond that steadies him, even now.

“Let’s get back,” he calls, his voice hard but resolved. “We need to regroup, plan our next move.”

The team moves out, their steps heavy but determined as they leave the warehouse behind, the battle with Rake far from over. Blade’s mind races with possibilities, strategies, as they make their way back to headquarters. He knows they have to be ready, that the next encounter would be even more dangerous. But he also knows that with Rayne, with his brothers by his side, he would face whatever came next with a fierce determination that nothing could shake.