Part 20 (1/2)

G.o.ddammit, that's the last thing he wanted, to feel anything for this woman that would cloud his judgment. He didn't like this. Not at all. And d.a.m.n Gina for putting him in this position.

'Let her go with him, Derek,' Lou said, stepping onto the beach. 'She has a genuine interest in the laser and did help Jake build it.'

'Fine. But I'm going on record against this.' Derek stalked away, content to leave his team one man short rather than restructure. And maybe digging in his heels at having her with him had more to do with wanting to keep her close, this unreasonable need to protect her.

At least Lou had taken the decision out of his hands. He'd have to remember to thank him later, as well as have a private talk with Gina about never doing this again. 'Leave the extra man on that team. You might need him. Everyone get hunting.'

Though he wasn't sure if he was more p.i.s.sed at Gina or at himself, he was so G.o.dd.a.m.n livid he hoped they faced ten demons tonight. The way he felt right now he could probably kill them all with his bare hands.

Gina watched Derek stalk away and realized she'd just made a critical error, in both their personal and professional relations.h.i.+ps.

What had come over her, pulling a diva move like that? Demanding her way or no way? She'd acted like a spoiled child, and that just wasn't like her. Why was it so important that she go out on Jake's team tonight and watch him fire the weapon? She already knew it worked.

What the h.e.l.l was wrong with her?

She owed Derek an apology. h.e.l.l, she owed all of them an apology. But Derek and his team had already left and it was too late to tell him, at least. But not the rest of them.

'Hey, everyone. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me there. A flight of movie star diva-ness, I think. My apologies for acting like a spoiled princess. That's really not me. Um, I dunnoPMS, maybe?' When they laughed, she exhaled, then turned to Lou, suddenly desperate to make this right. 'I screwed up and stepped out of bounds. I can catch up with Derek and the team!'

Lou shook his head and grinned. 'Don't worry about it. And we all b.u.t.t heads with Derek now and then. Ask any of the hunters. You can go out with Jake's team tonight. Tomorrow, you're back with Derek.'

If he'd have her. She nodded, feeling a little more relieved when the other hunters nodded back, some chuckled, and a few winked, diffusing the tension.

She'd tell Derek she was sorry later when he returned.

But for now she was heading out with a new leader. Dalton, a lean-looking muscle-bound warrior with surfer-boy s.h.a.ggy, sandy hair and intense green eyes. Also on the team were Jake, Mandy, and a tough-looking hunter named Punk. She knew how he got that name: Had to be the hair, which stuck straight up. And he had the most interesting tribal tattoos on the back of his neck and around both biceps. But he looked like he'd cut your throat if you talked to him.

So she wasn't about to say a d.a.m.n word. She was the interloper here. She stayed in formation and followed their lead. Jake remained silent, his newly created weapon tucked safely inside the pack at his side. He toted his rifle, but she knew if there was going to be any action, he'd be dragging the cutting laser out.

And Gina was dying to see how it worked.

Keeping her voice low, she asked, 'You sure you're ready to use this on a real moving target, Jake?'

He slung the backpack over his shoulders, his lips curled in a half smile. She noted his nervousness, knew he tried to hide it behind his newly discovered bravado and maybe a little thrill at being the center of attention.

'It'll be fine, trust me. The system is untried, and while I would have liked more time for testing, I'm confident it'll fire.' At her dubious expression he added, 'I won't let the team down, Gina. This will will work.' work.'

If ever someone needed a confidence booster, it was Jake. She nodded and squeezed his upper arm. 'I know it will.'

'Demons, your area, Dalton,' Lou commed. 'Four of them.'

'Got it, Lou,' Dalton replied, craning his head to look at Jake. 'Looks like you'll get your chance, Jake.'

She felt the muscles tense in Jake's arm.

'Gina, why don't you and Jake let us know what you want to do to set up,' Dalton suggested.

At the look of uncertainty on Jake's face, Gina took over. 'Let's have him stationary. Let the demons approach so Jake can aim and fire with the remote control.'

She put Jake in front of two thick trees, positioning herself to his side so she could cover his back, and suggested the others work the front line defense. Jake should be well protected from the demons but still have clear line of sight to fire the laser.

'Jake, how's the vantage point?'

'Clear. I'm positioned and ready.'

'All right everyone,' Dalton said. 'Stay sharp.'

Adrenaline pumping and guns drawn, Gina scanned the area for sign of approaching demons, eager for Jake to try out the lasers. All they had to do was draw the demons close enough for him to get a clear shot. Should be easy enough, right?

She hoped. Nothing was easy about these demons, but the whole thing seemed logical and straightforward. Right now it was all any of them could hope for.

The sounds came first, like an earthquake vibrating the ground under their feet. Then the movement along the tree line in front of them, branches swaying as the demons pushed them out of the way.

'Straight ahead,' Mandy reported, already setting up her sights.

'Got it,' Gina replied, taking aim. 'Jake, you ready?'

'Lining up now.'

'Mandy, Punk, you take the two on the outside. Leave the ones on the inside for Jake.' Dalton looked to Gina, who nodded.

'That should work great,' she said.

She turned and gave Jake the thumbs-up, wanting him to know she had every faith in him to do the job. The last thing she needed was for Jake to get nervous and freak out on them.

The sounds of the jungle simply died as animal life hid away from the unnatural forces making their appearance.

Gina spotted them, their gruesome appearance still making her shudder. G.o.d, those things were ugly. Giant movie zombies with glowing eyes, dripping fangs, and extended claws. Her skin p.r.i.c.kled with goose b.u.mps as fear inched its way up her spine.

Pus.h.i.+ng her fear aside, she concentrated on the task. This was no time to be afraid. They had a huge task here!to kill these b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. Unimaginable visions of these things running amok in a city or small town, creating havoc and killing the innocent, filled her with rage. They had to be stopped.

'Let them draw a little closer, wait them out,' Dalton said.

Their menacing faces loomed into view, fingers uncurling to reveal their long, dripping claws. They were near enough for the hunters to see their red eyes and fangs, horrible, gruesome faces twisted in evil sneers.

She could smell them now, wrinkling her nose and trying to ignore how horrible it all was. Sometimes it seemed as if it was all a dream, that this wasn't real. But it was and she had to face it, had to fight them.

'You doing okay back there, Jake?' she asked, focusing only on the demons now, refusing to turn her gaze away from them.

'I'm ready, Gina. Just bring them to me.'

She smiled.

As soon as the demons were in range, Mandy and Punk fired the UV lasers. The demons stopped, throwing their huge hands over their faces and twisting as if in great pain. But they kept coming. After firing again, the second and third shots took them down, boiling them down to a ma.s.s of smoking, gelatinous blobs.

Gina and Dalton backed up as the center demons continued their approach.