Chapter 5

The air inside the main house was thick with panic.

"We have to get rid of her," Enoch paced the living room, his bandaged hands held awkwardly against his chest. "She's cursed. She's bringing the devil down on us."

The phone on the wall rang. Enoch jumped. He picked it up.

"Flint?" Enoch said. "What is it?"

"Dad, there's a convoy coming up the mountain," his son Flint's voice crackled over the line. "They just blew past the lower gate. They're heavily armed. I-"

The line went dead with a sharp burst of static.

Enoch dropped the phone. The blood drained from his face. "Get the guns," he yelled to Tabitha and Kayleigh. "Get the girl!"

They rushed out the back door. Kayleigh and Tabitha grabbed Clare by the arms. They dragged her toward the center of the muddy compound. Clare didn't fight back. She let her body go limp.

Enoch followed them, holding the shotgun awkwardly with his bandaged hands. He pressed the cold steel barrel against the back of Clare's head.

"Say your prayers, demon," Enoch hissed.

Before he could pull the trigger, a massive explosion of sound shattered the silence.

The heavy iron gates of the compound were violently ripped off their hinges. A massive, matte-black Hummer smashed through the metal, sending sparks flying into the air.

Right behind it, three black, armored SUVs roared into the yard. They skidded in the mud, forming a tight semi-circle around the Pruitt family.

The high beams of the vehicles snapped on, blinding Enoch. He squinted, raising his arm to shield his eyes.

The doors of the SUVs opened simultaneously.

A dozen men in full tactical gear poured out. They wore black bulletproof vests. They moved with terrifying, silent precision. In less than two seconds, twelve assault rifles with suppressors were aimed directly at Enoch, Tabitha, and Kayleigh.

A red laser dot appeared directly between Enoch's eyes. 'Drop the weapon, now,' the security chief's voice boomed over a megaphone. Enoch froze. The shotgun felt like a toy in his hands. A cold drop of sweat rolled down his spine. His knees buckled, and he dropped the shotgun. It splashed into a puddle. Two guards immediately rushed forward, kicking the weapon away and pinning Enoch to the mud. Only after the perimeter was completely secured did the back door of the command Suburban open.

Silas Barrett stepped out into the mud. He wore a custom-tailored black trench coat. His jaw was locked so tight the muscles twitched. His eyes swept over the scene, cold and sharp as broken glass.

Genevieve stepped out right behind him. Her expensive high heels sank deep into the muck, but she didn't even notice. Her eyes darted frantically around the yard.

Then, she saw her.

Genevieve saw the small, bruised girl being held down in the mud. The shotgun was already kicked away, but the image of it aimed at her baby's head burned into her retinas.

Genevieve let out a sound that was half-scream, half-sob. It tore from her throat, raw and agonizing.

She sprinted forward. The head of security reached out to stop her, but she shoved his arm away with surprising force.

"Keep them pinned," Silas said. His voice was low, but it carried over the idling engines. "If they twitch, you end them."

The tactical team racked the bolts of their rifles in perfect unison. The metallic clacks echoed loudly.

Tabitha and Kayleigh let go of Clare, raising their hands in the air, their faces masks of pure terror.

Clare slowly lifted her head. She looked at the beautiful woman running toward her.

Genevieve dropped to her knees in the mud. She threw her arms around Clare, pulling the small girl tightly against her chest.

Clare buried her face in Genevieve's neck. She smelled the faint scent of jasmine and expensive vanilla. It was a scent buried deep in her oldest memories.

"My baby," Genevieve sobbed uncontrollably. Her hands shook as she stroked Clare's matted hair. "I've got you. Mommy's got you."

Silas walked over. His heavy boots splashed in the mud. He looked down at Clare. He saw the fresh blood on her forehead. He saw the dark purple bruises on her arms.

His eyes turned bloodshot. His breathing grew heavy.

He took off his black trench coat and wrapped it gently around Clare's shivering shoulders. He lifted her easily into his arms, holding her tight against his chest.

Silas turned his head slowly to look at Enoch. The murderous intent in his eyes was so heavy it felt suffocating.

The tactical team moved in instantly. They grabbed Gus and the other men, slamming them face-first into the mud.

Kayleigh started to scream. A female guard stepped forward and drove the butt of her rifle hard into Kayleigh's stomach. Kayleigh collapsed, gasping for air.

"Keep them breathing," Silas ordered his security chief. His voice was completely devoid of mercy. "I want them to beg for death before this is over."

Clare rested her head on Silas's broad shoulder. She closed her eyes and let out a long, slow breath. For the first time since she was reborn, she smiled.