He appeared instantly.
"Save Stryker."
His eyes glowed red as he saw Nick fighting. He headed for him.
"Stop!" she shouted. "Leave him be. Your only focus is War and keeping Stryker and my daughter safe."
His skin marbled red and black as he flashed to his true form. Snarling, he showed her his fangs. "The Malachai-"
"Obey me."
Jared hissed, but in the end, he had no choice except to do as she commanded.
Nick did a double-take when he saw Jared heading for War. The Keres tried to bring him down, but instead of falling as the rest of them did, Jared stood his ground. He manifested a tall staff and used it to drive the Keres back.
Nick watched and then imagined a similar weapon for himself. To his amazement, it appeared. He felt the power of it vibrating down the wood. Acting on instinct, he swung it at the Keres. As soon as it connected, it dissolved them.
So this was one of his powers . . .
Stryker paused as he watched Nick taking out some of their enemies. At least until he saw Zephyra. Then he could think of nothing except getting to her.
Before he could take a step, War seized her and pulled her toward the Italian monument.
They were just about to head out of sight when Savitar appeared behind them and headbutted War. Zephyra turned on War with a kick so fierce that Stryker felt the impact of it. As War reached for her, Stryker was there to catch him and shove him back.
Ash grabbed him while he was off balance and Katra flashed in behind him. She kicked War.
Cursing, War slammed her to the ground and wrenched his arm free.
Stryker caught him. "Where's Medea?"
He laughed. "Kill me and she dies, too."
"Mache has them," Ash said. "He's the only one missing."
Stryker slugged War. "Where?"
War kicked Stryker away from him as a dozen Keres moved in to attack.
"How do we stop them?" Stryker asked Ash and Savitar.
"We have to find the one true Ker," Savitar said. "Stop her and the others will fall."
Stryker scoffed. "Care to tell me which one she is?"
"That one," Zephyra said, pointing to the one attacking Nick.
Stryker scowled. "How do you know?"
"Instinct."
Perhaps, but it wasn't until Ker headed for Tory that Stryker saw his opening. He exchanged a knowing look with Ash before they rushed Ker together.
As soon as they had Ker on the ground, the others vaporized. War shrieked in outrage before he sent a blast at Tory. Jared intercepted it. He hissed as it smoldered through his body and sent him to his knees. Nick attacked then, rushing for Wars.
Ker bit Stryker. He reached for her throat, but before he could choke her, Ash had her subdued.
War was another matter. He wouldn't go down. Not for any of them.