Marielle accompanied Connor to the cafeteria. He introduced her to other Vamps along the way: Jack, Zoltan, Mikhail, Kyo, and a man Connor referred to as Russell, the new guy. They had come from Eastern Europe, Russia, and Japan, and Connor explained how theyd spent hours teleporting west and following the moon in order to be at Romatech at the correct time.

Then he introduced her to Jean-Luc, Dougal, J.L., Rafferty, and Colbert. They lived in Texas, California, and Louisiana, so they had spent the night at Romatech.

Connor was introducing her to the cat shifters, Carlos and Rajiv, when she spotted Phineas and waved him over.

Yo, whats up? Phineas did a knuckle pound with Connor.

Marielle lifted her fist, and with a grin, Phineas tapped her knuckles softly. Looking good, angel.

Brynley wants to fight again, Connor said. Do ye have time to teleport her here?

Marielle tried to remember Brynleys exact words. She said you should get your tight ass over there and pick her up.

Phineass eyes widened. Is that what she said?

Connor snorted and gave Marielle a wry look.

I was trying to be accurate, Marielle replied. I believe those were her exact words.

Tight, huh? Phineas smirked. His cell phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket. Thats probably her now. He put the phone up to his ear and deepened the tone of his voice. Hello, baby. The Love Doctor is at your service.

He jumped. Oh, hi, Angus. Sir. Yes, sir. Im right on it. He turned off the phone. Shit!

Whats wrong? Connor asked.

Stans emergency button went off in the office, Phineas grumbled, his face showing a hint of red. I have to see whats going on. He vanished.

Who is Stan? Marielle asked. She didnt like the worried look on Connors face.

Stanislav is our mole at the Russian coven in Brooklyn, Connor explained. Maybe he knows something about Casimirs plan for tonight.

You still believe its a trap?

Connor shrugged. It could be. But Casimir is still in a bad position. He lost over half of his men last night. We have plenty of excellent fighters, so we shouldna let this chance go by. The bastard needs to be killed once and for all.

Marielle nodded. There was no denying the fact that the world would be a much safer place once Casimir was gone. Oh,theres Roman.

As Roman walked into the cafeteria, he was greeted with multiple questions about his wife and father-in-law.

Roman raised his hands to quiet down the crowd. I just left Shanna and her father. Hes doing as well as can be expected. His stomach wound is completely healed.

What about his rotten personality? Jean-Luc asked.

Roman snorted. Im afraid theres no cure for that.

Is he pissed? Jack asked.

Roman smiled. Hes adjusting. He had one bottle of blood, then asked for some Blissky. Hes . . . upset, but not just because hes Undead now. Hes angry about missing the battle tonight.

Roman worked his way through the crowd, greeting the Vamps and shifters. He pulled out his cell phone and frowned at it, then approached Marielle and Connor. He smiled at her, then nodded his head at Connor.

Connor nodded back.

Marielle sighed. Things were obviously still tense between the two men.

Shanna asked me to thank you for your help in saving her fathers life, Roman told her.

I am so pleased he is doing well, she replied.

Shanna was too upset last night to realize what you had done. Roman gave her a sympathetic look. Im sure it was not an easy thing for you to do.

Marielle nodded. She didnt want to admit her fear that taking a vampires life had ruined her chances of returning to heaven.

After we returned here last night, Father Andrew came by to console Shanna and pray with her, Roman continued. He has an unusual view on the situation. He believes you were meant to save Sean, just like you did me, and that your destiny will continue to be linked with ours.

Marielle glanced at Connor. Perhaps. She still wasnt quite sure she could actually leave him.

Connors eyebrows lifted with a questioning look.

Roman glanced at his phone again and sighed. I dont know why hes not answering. There must be some sort of emergency at his church.

Yere trying to call Father Andrew? Connor asked.

Yes. Roman frowned. He should be here by now. He wanted to give us a blessing before we go.

Is everyone ready? Angus shouted as he entered the cafeteria.

Everyone let out a loud whoop.

Take a seat, Angus ordered. When everyone was seated, he continued, Yeve either been assigned to my team or the second much larger team, led by Robby. The second team, comprised of Vamps and shifters, will arrive ten minutes after the first.

So if we get in trouble, first team, remember we have to last ten minutes.

Connor took Marielles hand and squeezed it.

Phil has contacted his werewolf friends in the area, and they have set up a beacon in a wooded area close to the monument, Angus explained. That is our focal point for teleporting.

Phineas rushed into the cafeteria, and everyone sat up.

News? Angus asked.

Yes, Phineas replied. Stan reports that Nadia received a call from Casimir. She and her coven have been ordered to go into battle.

Angus nodded. Casimir is desperate to increase his number.

Stan said if he has to kill anybody, itll be a Malcontent, Phineas continued. So hes asking everybody here to remember which side hes on and not to kill him.

Angus snorted. So the main reason he called you is hes worried about his own skin.

Phineas shrugged. Partly. Hes also worried about Nadia. Casimir has given her a special assignment to carry out. Stan doesnt know what it is, but he says shes dizzy with excitement over it.

Angus muttered a curse under his breath.

Phineas stiffened. Oh, I gotta go.

Angus frowned. Were about to leave.

Ill hurry. Big bad wolfie-girl needs a ride. Phineas vanished.

Is he talking about my sister? Phil called out.

Everyone chuckled.

Seconds later, the Vamps and shifters all turned to look out the cafeteria window. Marielle assumed it was due to their superior hearing, since she hadnt heard anything.

Outside by the basketball court, Phineas had returned with Brynley. An angry Brynley who was shouting at Phineas. She shoved him, then he grabbed her arm and dragged her to the cafeteria door.

Dont ever leave me waiting like that again! Brynley yelled as Phineas opened the door.

Dont ever attack me again! Phineas pushed her inside.

Brynley raised a hand to strike him, but he caught her wrist.

Snout-face, he hissed.

Bloodsucker, she growled.

Angus cleared his throat.

Brynley looked around and saw everyone watching them. Her face turned a shade of pink, but she gave them a big smile. Hi there! Im ready to fight.

We can see that, Angus said dryly. Brynley, yere on Team Two. Phineas, yere Team One.

Phineas nodded and released Brynleys wrist. Be careful, he mumbled.

She cast a worried look his direction. You, too.

A timer went off, its peeping noise filling the cafeteria.

Angus punched a button on his wristwatch, then motioned for his wife, Emma, to join him. Thats it. The sun has set on Mount Rushmore. Team One, time to move out.

Marielle accompanied Connor to where the first team was gathering.

Shanna dashed into the cafeteria and ran to her husband in the first group. Are you leaving now?

Yes. Roman embraced her and kissed her brow. Did Father Andrew make it? When Shanna shook her head, he looked at Marielle. Would you say a blessing for us?

Of course. Marielle nodded, not wanting to admit that she feared her prayers were no longer heeded. Last night, shed begged in vain for a Healer to help Sean Whelan.

She cleared her throat. May the Lord bless us and keep us. May His light shine upon us, and may He return us all safely to our loved ones.

Everyone mumbled an amen. Some crossed themselves.

Marielle hugged Connor tight. Please, be careful.

If it gets ugly, hide in the woods. Stay alive. He kissed her temple.

Roman cleared his throat.

Marielle turned to see him and Shanna watching her and Connor curiously.

I have to hold her to teleport her, Connor grumbled.

I have to hold him, too. Marielle slipped her arms around his neck.

Why do you have to go? Shanna asked her.

I have to do my part to make sure Casimir is defeated, Marielle replied. I believe it will convince the Archangels to let me back into heaven. And I dont think its a coincidence that this is happening by Mount Rushmore, where I lost my wings. It should be where I can get them back.

Oh, I see. Shanna gave her a sad look. Then you might be leaving us tonight?

Perhaps. Marielle felt Connors arm tighten around her. I cant be sure this will work.

Shanna embraced her, then hugged her husband again.

Ye think yere leaving tonight? Connor whispered.

Im not sure. I dont really know if I can ever get back.

But if they come for you tonight, yell go?

The thought of leaving Connor brought tears to her eyes. I guess.

That was why ye wanted to be with me last night. Ye thought it was our last chance?

She blinked away the tears and nodded. I will always love you,Connor.

Time to go, Angus announced.

Connor pulled her tight in a fierce hug, then everything went black.

Chapter Twenty-four

Connor eased forward and peered around a tree. Casimir and a small group of his minions were at the base of Mount Rushmore on a small stage. In front of them, aluminum bleachers ascended a hill to the lookout terraces and buildings that housed gift shops and restaurants for tourists.

He spotted Corky and her cameraman midway up the hill on the first lookout terrace. Below her, people sat on the bleachers. Some were Malcontents holding knives. Others were mortal, and by the blank looks on their faces, he assumed they were all under vampire mind control.

He moved quietly past Casimirs inept guards, then dashed back to Angus and the first team.

Hostages, he whispered. About fifty-five mortals. Sitting on bleachers, eleven to each row. Behind each row of mortals, theres a row of Malcontents, armed with knives.

Emma winced. If we attack, theyll start killing the mortals.

Casimir is surrounded by five bodyguards, Connor continued. There are three guards on this side just inside the woods, and probably a few more on the other side. We should take out them out first.

Angus nodded. Jean-Luc, take three men and teleport to the other side. Kill any guards over there. Quietly.

Got it. Jean-Luc motioned for Dougal, Ian, and Phineas to follow him. The four men sped up the hill.

Ill surrender to Casimir, Roman whispered.

Angus flinched. Nay.

Im the one he wants the most, Roman argued. Ill offer myself if he lets the mortals go. Itll buy us some time till the second team arrives, and if we can get the hostages released, then our guys can attack.

Angus sighed. Well do that as a last resort. First, lets get rid of the guards.

Ill show you where they are, Connor whispered as he pulled a dagger from the sheath beneath his knee sock.

He weaved through the woods back toward the monument. Angus, Emma, Roman, and Marielle moved alongside him. He stopped when he spotted the three guards.

A twig snapped beneath Marielles foot, and the guards turned toward them. She hit them with a blast of air, but it barely knocked them back a few feet.

Connor noted the shocked look on her face before he threw his dagger. It thudded into the heart of the first guard, turning him to dust.

Before the second guard could yell out a warning, the third one snapped his neck and plunged a knife into his heart.

Angus froze, his arm raised and ready to throw his dagger.

The third guard dropped his knife and held up his hands. Dont kill me, he whispered in heavily accented English. I am Stanislav.

Aye. Angus lowered his arm. What can ye tell us?

Casimir thinks you will surrender to save mortals. Stan looked them over, frowning. Is all the men you have?

Nay, Angus said.

Stan nodded. Casimir make big mistake. He set Malcontents behind mortals to slit throats, but last row is all Malcontents. We teleport behind them

And take out the whole row at once. Good plan. Angus removed his cell phone from his sporran. Ill text the plan to Jean-Luc, and see if theyve finished off the guards.

While Angus waited for a reply, Connor turned to Marielle. What happened to yer blast? he whispered.

She winced. Im afraid Im losing my power.

She was becoming human. And far too vulnerable to be here. Stay here in the woods, he told her.

The other side is ready. Lets go. Angus motioned for his team to follow.

Connor glanced back to make sure Marielle was staying put. She lifted a hand in a halfhearted wave.

They moved up the hill to be even with the last row of bleachers. A flash of light came from the woods on the other side. Jean-Luc and his group were ready.

With their swords drawn, the Vamps teleported behind the last row of Malcontents and stabbed them all through the chest.

Casimir and his bodyguards yelled, and the rest of his army faced the Vamps with weapons drawn. The mortals sat eerily still and facing front, their minds still under control.

Drop your weapons! Casimir yelled at them. Drop them or I start killing mortals!

The Vamps hesitated.

One of Casimirs bodyguards pointed at Stanislav. Traitor!

Casimirs eyes narrowed. He held his left arm close to his chest, bent at a strange angle with a glove on his left hand, but with his other arm, he motioned to another bodyguard. The guard casually walked up to the bleachers and slit a mortals throat.

Connor cursed silently.

Do I need to kill another? Casimir asked.

Roman dropped his sword with a clatter. I surrender. Its me you want. Let the mortals go.

Casimir smirked. Ill let a mortal go for each one of you who dies.

Connor glanced at his watch. The second team would arrive in a few minutes. They needed to stall. Theyd killed off more than a dozen of Casimirs men, but he still had forty more.

I doona believe yell let any of the mortals go, Angus shouted.

Ill prove it. Casimir pointed at Roman. After I kill you, Ill let the first one go.