meaning of this immediately." Despite the blaze of his eyes, Thomas's voice was low and calm but not without menace.
Seeing no alternative, Elyssa spit out the story once again, taking time to read the diary entries. Her emotions warred within her as she read. Would Underborn still go ahead with his rescue mission? Elyssa traced the outline in her pocket of the arcphone Underborn had given her. She had to contact him immediately and tell him what was happening. But she couldn't let hundreds of Templars walk into a deadly ambush. This legion had already lost good people during the attack on the drug lord, Franco's, compound barely more than a week ago while trying to apprehend Justin. Sadness nearly choked her as she read the diary entry. Poor Justin. He'd been kidnapped by Franco, only to have Maximus do the same thing to him.
The thought knocked loose the memory of a conversation she'd had with Justin a few days ago. He'd recounted his imprisonment at Franco's compound. How he'd nearly been beaten to death before tricking them into bringing him a woman so he could feed and regain his supernatural strength.
Franco and his right-hand man, Marcel—both of them vampires—had supposedly kidnapped Justin for Maximus. In return, Maximus was supplying them with weapons and ammunition. Ammunition. The cursed bullets Franco's thugs had used tore through the Templar's Nightingale armor like it wasn't even there. Elyssa cursed. So much had happened between that conversation and now, but it was no excuse. Forgetting to tell them about the cursed ammo was a deadly oversight.
"What is it?" Meghan asked.
Elyssa shook her head. "The ammo Franco and his gang used to penetrate our armor wasn't something they made. It was supplied to them by Maximus."
"Our people are still investigating those bullets," Christian said. "We still don't know where they originated, so how in the world could you know?"
She shook her head. "Justin told me. He said Franco was bragging about Maximus being their supplier. If that's the case, it doesn't matter if Daelissa knows our plan of attack. Our armor can't stop those bullets, and our people don't know it. They'll never even know what hit them."
Christian cursed.
Thomas pursed his lips. "Recall them," he said. "Now."
The Colombian commander put an arcphone to his ear. "Lieutenant Martinez, the operation is Foxtrot Utah. Do you copy?" He gritted his teeth. "I don't care. Do what you have to do." Christian lowered the phone. "We might be too late."
Gigi Martinez was in charge of the attack? This was worse than Elyssa had imagined. True, just because Daelissa had invaded her dreams didn't mean the woman was under the angel's direct control. But Commander Salazar obviously didn't believe Elyssa's warning about the diary enough to remove Martinez from command.
Thomas nodded. His eyes betrayed not a lick of uncertainty or stress as he said, "Sergeant Gaetano, I'm placing you in charge of a rescue team."
Fausta stiffened and saluted with a fist over her heart. "Yes, Commander."
"Healers Andretti and Delgado will be part of the team. You choose the others and get to the front. Understood?"
She nodded. "Borathen, you're with me."
"Add me to your number," said a deep voice. Michael Borathen appeared, two katana hilts protruding diagonally above his muscled shoulders.
"No way in hell," Elyssa snarled, as anger boiled up inside her. It took all her control not to fly at him with everything she had. Unfortunately, it would mean she'd have to explain her reasons. Now was not the time to settle this. Rescue Justin first. Beat the crap out of Michael second.
"Explain yourself, recruit," Christian said, eyes puzzled.
Elyssa stammered. "I—uh, I think he's too tall for a stealth mission."
"This isn't stealth," Fausta said, her eyes looking the hulking figure up and down. "This is search and rescue, and I could use a big man with big swords. Hell yes, Michael. You're on the team!" She took a quick headcount. "This should be good for now. I'll pull from the main force at the front if I need any more bodies."
Christian nodded.
They rushed to a slider disguised as a helicopter and hopped in. Adam Nosti climbed in behind Meghan.
"Wait for me!" came another voice outside and Bella clambered into the cabin.
"Oh, no, you don't." Fausta shook her head. "You two aren't Templars."
Adam clenched his teeth. "My sister is in Maximus's compound. You're not keeping me off this mission."
"I can vouch for him," Meghan said. "He can take care of himself."
"And I can vouch for myself, young lady." Bella took