The hope was that we could sneak in, snag Ash, and get out. None of us believed it would be that easy and we had several contingency plans. Hopefully we were prepared.
It wouldn't take us long to walk there, and Nikolai thought he could hide us from the wards around the Andersons' house. He had managed several times in the past, but they might know that now and be prepared.
Ed and Allan slipped through the pine forest in wolf form, barely visible. Their job was to watch the perimeter and keep us informed through the pack bond. We had all been practicing, and it was much easier for us all to communicate. Though the wolves didn't use words, but the images, scents, and sounds they conveyed were as clear to the rest of us as if they had spoken in our minds. From Nikolai and I they had gained some ability to sense magic and were on the alert. They would split off as soon as we were through the wards.
Doc seemed to have fully embraced his vampire heritage. The only reason I knew where he was at was because I could sense him through our bond. He moved with us, silently, not even a whisper on the still night air.
Nikolai, though he was quite skilled at moving quietly, sounded loud in comparison to the other three. I hadn't even pretended I could keep up with their abilities and cast a muffling spell on myself. There was always the chance it would give us away, but it was either that or my crashing through the forest that would alert anyone even half aware for miles around. Someday I would learn that skill, but until then, I would have to make do with magic.
I split my attention between my awareness of Nikolai and the magic he worked and scanning our surroundings with my demon enhanced senses and magic. Knowing exactly what I needed to do, even before Nikolai showed me his method, was a little freaky. The demon really wanted me to succeed against the mages that had imprisoned her.
We had also informed Adriana of our plans. It was a risk, but one we thought we had to take. Otherwise, the Andersons might bolt before this council of hers could get their hands on the assholes. Well, I should say that I sent her a text message about ten minutes ago, checked to make sure it went through, then put my phone on silent.
We slipped through the trees, the sharp bite of pine strong on the crisp air. The snow was patchier on this side of the valley and we avoided stepping in it as much as we could.
I felt like I should be tired, but adrenalin coursed through me and I was on high alert, the smallest noise making me jump.
Nikolai took my hand and squeezed.
Trying to relax was like trying to bench press a truck. There was no way I could do it.
Well, maybe with magic.
Now I was distracting myself. I focused, or at least tried to. I was so not cut out for this sort of thing. As much as I hated to admit it, if Nikolai didn't need me to help cast magic, I might have sat this fight out. No. I really wouldn't have. The demon gave me everything I needed to succeed. I just had to trust myself.
We crossed the outer wards without any apparent notice, so Nikolai sent the wolves off to circle the mansion. They brushed against my legs, and I let my hands trail across their backs, sinking my fingers into their thick fur. Then they were gone, off in opposite directions to both keep an eye on things while we were inside and hopefully cover our retreat as we escaped. Nikolai called them our scouts and had managed to make them feel good about their roles despite them wanting to be in on the actual fight. He was right though, without knowing what was going on outside the mansion, we could walk right into another trap. Their role was just as vital.
It both seemed to take forever, and no time at all before we were crouched in the tree line staring at the mansion.
A few lights illuminated the grounds, and one light burned in an upstairs window, but otherwise it was quiet.
Ed sent us a quick image of sleepy guards walking the grounds. Two, not terribly alert. Allan echoed with the same information from the far side of the house.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when Doc appeared next to us. "Want me to take them out, or leave them?"
The deadly intent in his voice sent shivers down my spine.
"Leave them. Still trying for surprise," Nikolai answered after a quick hesitation.
Doc vanished again, after a quick brush of his fingers across my cheek.
I had thought my heart was pounding before, but that was nothing compared to the way my pulse raced as we snuck across the open grounds. Nikolai had already chosen our entrance, a second story window in a room he claimed was not used much. Doc could climb to it, slide it open and he and Doc could help me up. Or so he claimed. Doc had reluctantly admitted that he could use his powers to break into places, and we hoped that vampire abilities were so poorly understood in these days that the Andersons wouldn't be able to set alarm magic for it.
We made it to the edge of the house without being discovered and Nikolai directed us to the window he was after.
Doc, still more a shadow than anything, scaled the stone siding like it was a ladder, spent a moment at the window, and then slid it open. He disappeared over the sill and then returned, looking a little less like a shadow as he leaned out to grab me.
Nikolai made
