The other three stood up to get a better look at the diagrams.
Erik went straight to the point. “This is what Daniel was able to map out about the security set-up.” The top page contained a rough sketch of the perimeter of the compound with markers to indicate the location of each camera. “He gave me enough intel about the types of cameras and lenses they’re using for me to be able to calculate the angle of coverage.” He traced his finger over green lines which had been drawn across the map. “You can see the gaps. There are blind spots along the fence line, especially at the back of the property. As long as I stick to those, the Nephilim will never see me.”
Erik selected another schematic and placed it on the top of the pile. “This is the corridor outside Hannah’s room. The camera is mounted up high, and her door is right next to an intersecting hallway, so the cam doesn’t quite cover it. I guess when it was first installed she’d already flown the coop and nobody cared about an empty room. There should be enough of a blind spot for her to slip out.” He leafed through the pile of papers and extracted another map. “This is the corridor layout for the main compound. We can thank Metcalf for his paranoia. Some spots have too much coverage like he was targeting specific individuals. Other spots have no coverage at all. As long as Daniel follows the route I mapped out, he should be able to get Hannah out of the building via a service door. I’ll be waiting outside to take her the rest of the way through the grounds.”
“What do you want us to do?” Cassie asked.
“Us?” Erik’s eyes narrowed at her choice of words.
“Yeah, us,” the pythia repeated in annoyance. “Griffin and me.”
“So, are you two joined at the hip now?” the paladin asked sarcastically.
Griffin turned on him. “And how is our relationship your business?”
“It’s not,” Erik admitted off-handedly.
The scrivener warily returned to studying the diagram.
“How do we fit into your plan?” Cassie persisted.
“You don’t,” Erik said. “This is a one-man operation, not a three-ring circus.”
“But you’ll need some kind of backup,” Maddie objected.
“Why?” the paladin challenged. “I think I can fetch one little girl all by myself.”
“That’s crazy!” the pythia exclaimed.
Griffin laid a restraining hand on her arm. “You’re wasting your breath, Cassie. Clearly, a superhero like Erik doesn’t require the assistance of mere mortals.”
“You’re going to take at least one person with you.” The chatelaine’s tone was menacing. “And make no mistake. That’s not a request.”
“It has to be someone who has some context and knows Hannah’s story,” Cassie said. “Preferably somebody she trusts. Your choices are pretty limited. It’ll have to be me. She’s never met you or Griffin.”
“Not you, toots,” the paladin countered. “If I’m gonna be forced to take somebody, I’ll take Zach.”
“Zach!” the other three shouted in unison.
“You have got to be joking!” Maddie snapped.
“The kid has a bigger stake in this than anybody,” Erik retorted. “It’s his girlfriend who’s being held captive.”
Cassie shook her head vehemently. “That’s all the more reason to keep him out of it. He’s too emotionally involved.”
“Being emotionally involved never stopped you from going on a mission,” Erik grumbled in a low voice.
The pythia walked around the desk until they were standing nose to nose. “If you’ve got something to say to me, then say it!”
The paladin’s eyebrows shot up in mock surprise.
“What is going on with you?” she demanded. “The three of us used to be a team.”
“You and I used to be a lot of things.” His tone was cynical.
“And if we’re not anymore, whose fault is that?” the pythia shot back.
“Shut up!” Maddie stamped her foot. “And I mean all of you! This sniping is getting us nowhere. Cassie, sit down! You too, Griffin! Erik, cut the snark! If you three want to stage a brawl, do it on your own time. Right now, there’s a girl whose life might be in danger. I need you people to check your personal baggage at the door and get it together! Alright?”
Cassie and Griffin resumed their places. Erik folded his arms truculently. They all lapsed into a mutinous silence.
“That’s better.” The chatelaine settled into her own chair and turned toward Erik. “Now explain to me why Zach is your pick to go on this mission. The kid has barely finished his first round of self-defense training.”
Erik rolled his eyes at having to justify his choice. “Hey, I’m just trying to cooperate. You tell me I can’t make this a solo mission, so I agree to take backup. Cassie says I have to take somebody Hannah already knows. Who’s a better choice than her boyfriend?”
“I don’t like this,” Maddie said ominously. “The kid might be reckless.”
“He won’t be involved in anything dangerous,” Erik protested. “All Zach has to do is hook a ladder over the wall, act as lookout and drive the getaway car. I’m pretty sure any tyro on his first day could manage that.”
“When?” Maddie asked simply.
“I’ll need a couple more nights to coordinate everything. I have to notify Daniel and get Zach on board.”
The chatelaine remained silent for several seconds, tapping her long fingernails on the arm of her chair. Finally, she said, “This plan has disaster written all over it. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t approve, but I’ve seen you pull crazier stunts than this and come home without a scratch.” She studied Erik intently. “Don’t make me regret my decision.”
“Trust me, chief. It’ll be a walk in the park.”
“Yeah, with snipers,” Cassie murmured.
Chapter 45—Cage Fighters
Daniel knocked lightly on the door to Hannah’s chamber. It was a polite formality. He had already made a copy of the key for himself. After waiting a few seconds, he let himself in. He hadn’t seen the girl since he’d helped her originally escape from the Nephilim. She
