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-"