Darian stay away!

*****

"I don't like it." Meryn grumbled. Beth agreed. Something didn't feel right.

Meryn turned to Lorcan. "Go help Aiden. We have Byron and Abraham here, not to mention Ryuu and some kick-ass fae warriors. We'll be fine; Aiden will need you more than we will."

Lorcan looked torn. Beth could tell he was itching to follow Aiden. He looked around and met Byron's eyes. "Do you think you'll really be okay here?"

Byron nodded. "Yes, Meryn's right. We have enough men here. Go help my son."

Looking relieved, Lorcan barked out the order to leave. He and the rest of the Beta Unit quickly headed for the door.

After they had left, Meryn turned to her and smiled. "Phase one complete."

Gods help them; she was scheming something!

Meryn picked up her walkie-talkie. "Gamma Kitten One, Gamma Kitten One, this is Menace come in, over."

Beth looked over at Byron who started to rub his chin and smile. He knew she was up to something, too.

"Menace? Why are you using the radios?" Sascha demanded.

"Gamma Kitten One, you didn't say over. Anyway, I was letting you know that me, Papa Bear and friends, Bunny, Wheels, Pretty Boy, and Baby Girl will heading your way, over."

"Like fucking hell you will! Listen to me Menace, stay put! It's dangerous here!"

Beth could just imagine the veins in Sascha's forehead sticking out.

"What was that Gamma Kitten One? You're breaking up. We're on our way. Menace over and out." Meryn clicked the walkie-talkie off before turning to Byron.

"I assume you approve."

He nodded. "It makes sense to get everyone together so we don't have split resources."

Meryn smiled. "That's why you kick ass playing strategy games." She turned to Jaxon, Noah, and Penny. "Let's roll."

Beth shook her head and picked up Meryn's bag. Ryuu had already gathered their coats and was waiting in the hallway. They ended up taking three SUVs to the city. Beth had never been so scared as when they made their way to the city center. Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon Units, along with volunteer warriors, had created a large barricade in front of Council Manor lit by spotlights. This is where the city had held the Midwinter Ball in December. Families from nearby houses and businesses had come here for protection.

When Sascha saw them approaching, Beth could see him cussing from where she stood.

"Dammit Menace! Are you trying to get us both killed?" Sascha yelled.

Meryn crossed her arms. "Where are the Delta and Epsilon Units? Why is Gamma defending this barricade alone?"

Sascha shot a look at Byron who simply raised an eyebrow. Sascha turned back to Meryn. "They are helping to defend checkpoints throughout the city, there are a lot of scared people out there."

"Exactly!" Meryn said.

"What?" Sascha asked looking between Meryn and Byron.

Byron stepped forward. "I've learned a thing or two from Meryn here about urban combat from a strategy game we play online. Meryn's methods are extremely simple, but they work every time."

"What method?" Sascha asked.

Meryn picked up her walkie-talkie and turned it back on. "Goldilocks, Santa Claus, and Quarterback come in, over."

Sascha grinned at the other's call signs. Seconds later, Graham Armstrong, Santiago Diaz, and Markus Aiken answered.

"Menace, who gave you permission to create these crazy call signs?" Graham grumbled.

"Quiet down, Goldilocks. Here are your new orders. Coordinate with the volunteers working with your units and start herding civilians to Council Manor. I have Wheels and Pretty Boy setting up a mini command post inside the manor; they will guide you in using the surveillance system to avoid pockets of ferals."

"I fucking love you, Menace," Santiago said, making Meryn smile.

"Divvy up the streets and start moving, gentlemen," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," they replied.

Sascha shook his head. "What did we do without you?" He looked around. "Where's Beta?"

"Drag your knuckles and beat your chests. I sent Beta to back up Aiden." Meryn looked around. "Where's Rheia?"

Sascha pointed to the Council Manor. "She's in there with some of the injured."

Meryn turned and went to Penny. "Head inside kiddo, your mom is waiting for you." She looked up at one of the fae warriors. "She is your only responsibility. You're her new shadow, got it?" The warrior banged his fist on his chest and held out a hand to Penny and escorted her inside.

Meryn looked at the remaining seven fae warriors. "The rest of you decide who will guard Beth and me, and the rest are to report to Sascha. Our main focus is getting as many people here to safety as possible."

One of the warriors stepped forward. "My name is Doran Ri' Eirlea, brother to Brennus, our Queen's consort. I will stay and guard you. My queen was very clear in her orders that nothing was to happen to you." He also raised a fist and banged his chest making the armor ring like a bell.

"Well, all righty then. Doran you're with me. Everyone else, get your orders from Sascha." Meryn turned to Byron. "Can you watch over the barricade?"

He stared down at her unblinking. "What are you going to do?"

She shrugged. "Nothing."

Ryuu cleared his throat. "Denka, I think we all know that is a lie."