"Hallelujah," Wulf said under his breath. "The boy finally developed some brains."
Chris directed a sullen stare at him that Wulf ignored.
Wulf turned the TV on and switched it to the parameter cameras so that they could see the Daimons' positions. Several of them were running across the lawn.
"It looks like that blast took out some of the east wing," Wulf said quietly.
Another blast went into the garage.
Chris let out an excited whoop. "I think they just nailed the Hummer. Yes!"
"Christopher!" Wulf snapped at him.
"I can't help it," Chris said, calming a degree. "I really hate that thing. Besides, I told you it wouldn't protect me from everything. See. It was worthless against the grenades."
Wulf shook his head at his Squire, then noticed Cassandra picking up weapons from the armoire. "What are you doing?" He moved toward her lightning-fast to keep her from touching the weapons.
She let out an irritated breath. "Arming myself."
"Like hell. Your job is-"
"To stay alive," she said, her face determined. She touched him gently on the arm in a light caress that sent chills over his chest. She was so beautiful standing there, ready to take on the world.
"Don't worry, Wulf, I'm not stupid. I'm not going to engage them and take a chance on one of them kicking me in the stomach. Likewise, I'm not going to just stand here and let them take me without something to fall back on. I'm no more used to being without a weapon than you are."
"She's right about that," Kat said, moving to stand behind Cassandra. "Her teddy bear is a six-inch retractable knife and a snub-nosed .38 Special."
Wulf stared at Cassandra and the raw determination in her eyes. He admired her more in that moment than he ever had anyone else.
Stepping back, he took her to the cabinet and fastened wrist blades on each of her arms. He showed her the release for the blades and how they swung out.
"And this one..." He pulled out a small-caliber Beretta Panther. He slid the fully loaded clip into the handle and switched the safety on. "Is just to get their attention."
He placed it in a concealed holster, then fastened it to her hip.
Cassandra's face softened as she looked up at him. For some reason, that look made his entire body hot. "So what's the plan?"
"Run for it."
"Run where?" Chris asked. "If we head to another Dark-Hunter's house, it'll just drain your power and theirs. No offense, but I think these guys are a little stronger than the average Daimon and I don't want to see your butt kicked. At least not tonight while I got things to protect."
Another explosion shattered the glass windows that were covered by the shields.
"We don't have a choice, Chris," Wulf said as he put more distance between Cassandra and the windows. "They're not going to wait until morning and give us a chance to evacuate in the daylight, and if we don't leave, they'll blow the house apart around us. We'll just have to have an open evacuation plan."
Chris appeared less than convinced. "I really, really don't like this open evacuation plan idea. Anyone got something better?"
They looked at Kat, who stared back bemused. "I'm not of this world. I have no idea where to hide. I say we go with Wulf."
"What about Artemis?" Cassandra asked. "Will she help us?"
Kat shook her head. "Sorry. She's occupied at the moment and honestly couldn't care less if the world did end. If I disturb her over this, she'll have a raging tantrum."
"All right then," Wulf said. "I suggest everyone get their heaviest clothes on and be prepared to jump ship as soon as possible."
Stryker watched the security cameras closely. He knew the heiress and her guards wouldn't stay inside much longer. His men had already blown up the entire garage and were now slowly shooting into the house, section by section. There was a lot of exterior damage, but he couldn't really tell how much was being done internally.
Not that it mattered. If this didn't work, they'd burn it down. He already had the flamethrowers on standby.