Otto nodded. "Even Tad. They're transferring the control of the Dark-Hunter site up to Milwaukee until the alert breaks."
Amanda's words of warning went through Tabitha's head. She pulled her phone out of her back pocket and called to check in on them as Valerius and Otto spoke to each other.
She was relieved the minute she heard Amanda's voice. "Hey, sis," she said, trying to sound normal. "What are you guys up to?"
"Not much. And yes I know about the alert. Ash has already moved in here along with some Dark-Hunter named Kassim."
"Why aren't you being evacuated?"
"It'll just follow us, Ash said. He thought it better that we fight on our own ground than to be someplace unfamiliar. Don't worry, Tab. I really do feel better with Kassim and Ash here."
"Yeah. I know Ash would never let anything happen to any of you. You guys take care and I'll talk to you later. Love you."
"You, too. 'Bye."
Tabitha sighed as Amanda hung up and her stomach contracted even more with unfounded fear.
Why was she so nervous?
"I'll make sure all the help is out of here by tonight," Otto said before taking his leave.
Valerius gave an imperious nod.
As soon as they were alone, Tabitha struggled to get rid of her somber mood. "Do you know a Dark-Hunter named Kassim?"
"I know of him."
"What do you know?"
Valerius adjusted his coat sleeve around his wrist. "He was an African prince in the Middle Ages. He was stationed in Jackson, Mississippi, until Ash moved him to Alexandria a few years ago. Why?"
"He was moved into Amanda's house, so I was just curious about him." She indicated the front door with her thumb. "Shall we?"
He took her hand as she started away from him. "Whatever this is after all of you, we'll get them, Tabitha. Don't worry."
The sincerity of his voice cut through her. "You would protect your mortal enemy?"
He glanced away. When his gaze came back to hers, it seared her. "I will protect your loved ones. Yes."
There was no reason for him to do such a thing. None. She had no doubt that in his place, Kyrian would go back upstairs, lock his door, and do nothing.
But Valerius...
Before she could stop herself, she pulled his lips down to hers and kissed him fiercely. The taste of him permeated her head. How she wished she had nothing more to do tonight than to pull him upstairs and make love to him.
If only she could...
Sighing regretfully, she nipped his lips and pulled back. She felt his reluctance as he released her. Forcing herself to let go of him, she stepped away, opened the door, and walked outside.
Otto was heading up the driveway from where his car was parked on the street as they left and it dawned on her that he still wore his black jeans and sweater from that afternoon... he hadn't morphed into tacky Otto tonight. He actually looked like a grown-up.
"I forgot something," he said. He handed Valerius a device that looked like a small transmitter. "Just in case. The Council wants everyone tagged so that if something happens we can pull you out."
To her amazement, he handed her one as well.
"Thanks, Otto."
He inclined his head to her. "You two be careful. Talon will be out around the Square tonight along with Kyrian and Julian. They'll also be scoping on Ursulines around Sanctuary and Chartres, and the French Market. You guys might want to patrol somewhere else."
"We'll hang around the northwest side of the Quarter. Bourbon, Toulouse, St. Louis, Bienville, and Dauphine."
Valerius cringed as soon as Bourbon came out, but didn't say anything.
"Ash is taking the cemeteries," Otto continued, "Janice will be down along Canal, Harrod's, and the Warehouse District while Jean-Luc takes the Garden District. Ulric is in the Business District and Zoe is at Tulane. Which leaves Kassim, who has been told by Ash that if he, Amanda, or Marissa leave Kyrian's house before dawn, he'll be toast."
"Who's Ulric?" Tabitha asked.
Otto gave her a droll stare. "He's the Dark-Hunter from Biloxi who arrived about half an hour ago. He's blond, so try not to stab this one should you meet him in an alley."
Tabitha was offended. "What? It's not my fault I stab all the fanged people. They shouldn't look like Daimons."
"I didn't look like a Daimon, but you stabbed me."
Otto laughed.
"Yeah, well, you looked like a lawyer so I had to kill you. It was a moral imperative."
Valerius shook his head at her. Sobering, she looked back at Otto. "How many Squires are left in town?"
"Just me, Kyr, and Nick. The last ones out were Tad and your ex Eric and his wife, who hopped a chartered flight about an hour ago. Everyone else from Liza on down is out of here until Ash gives the thumbs-up to return."
"What about the Weres?" Valerius asked.
"They're all hanging close to Sanctuary to protect their young and women. Even Vane and Bride are bunking over there for the time being."
"Will the Weres help us at all?" Tabitha asked.
Otto shook his head. "They view this as a human problem and don't want to get involved."
Tabitha huffed at that. "I can't believe them."
"You don't know much about animals, then," Otto said. "It's why Talon wants to keep an eye on the club. The Apollites and Daimons know that once they're inside Sanctuary, no one, not even Ash, can touch them."
Tabitha laughed at that. "Ash doesn't have to touch them to kill them."
"Excuse me?" Valerius and Otto asked simultaneously.
"What?" she asked them. "You didn't know that? Ash is seriously impressive in a fight. He'll take your ass outpermanently before you even know he's there. He moves so fast you can't see him half the time."
"Sounds like Corbin," Otto said. "She's a teleporter. She'll poof in, stab a Daimon, and poof out before it disintegrates."
"Corbin?" Tabitha asked.
"A former Greek queen turned Dark-Huntress," Valerius said.
Tabitha rolled her eyes. "Let me guess, not friendly to you?"
"Do I really need to answer that?"
No, he didn't.
"Yeah," Otto said, "but she's a walk in the park compared to Zoe and Samia. You say 'Roman' around them and you better cup yourself fast." He looked at Tabitha. "Well, not you, but those of us with things to protect down there have to."
"Okay," Tabitha said, stepping away from him. "And on that most interesting note, I think it's time we headed off." She gestured toward the beat-up red IROC that was parked on the other side of Valerius's gate. "Mind if we borrow your car, Otto?"
Valerius looked horrified.
Otto laughed evilly as he pulled out the keys. "Be my guest."
Valerius spoke up instantly. "I have my-"
"This'll work," Tabitha said as she winked at Otto and took the keys.
Valerius was rigid. "Really, Tabitha, I think-"
"Get in the car, Val. I promise you it won't bite."
He looked less than convinced.
Laughing, she started down the driveway toward the IROC.