Page 19 (1/2)

A half sood with ainst humans"

"Too bad these aren’t humans" He handed her one of the short swords anyway "I want you out of the hen the fighting starts But you have a weapon in case you need it"

"You’re pretty sure they’re going to get in"

"I’et in This house was never built to defend against Feral Warriors" When they were back in the foyer, he kissed her again, a quick peck this time, and released her at the base of the stairs "Wait here"

He returned to the peephole just as Polaris put his head down and ran at the door, sla into it shoulder first The entire front of the house rattled with the force of the blow The steel-reinforced door held For the et the woh the back door With their superior hearing, the new Ferals would be on theetaway

Polaristhe chandelier into an aard sway

Olivia returned fro her features "Is that Polaris?"

"Yes Any sign of others?"

"No, none Why are they here instead of fighting the other Ferals? To kill you?"

"They’re not here for me Certainly not just me" Hawke’s jaw clenched "They’re Ferals There’s only one thing they absolutely need to survive"

Olivia grimaced "Radiance Kara"

Hawke nodded "That’s not to say they don’t also want to killto need Kara Sooner or later, they’re going to break in, and the draden will follow We’ve got to get out"

Xavier strode into the hallway "Dude Are we under attack or so himself The kid couldn’t see a nod "We are I need you and Pink to hide She’ll knohere Now, Xavier Quickly" The tould be safe from the draden Pink was, for all practical purposes, always in her animal And Xavier was human Neither attracted the draden, and both should be safe enough from the new Ferals Hawke’s jaw clenched He and Kara were likely the only targets, if for different reasons Remove Kara from the equation, and even if they overpowered hi away, the attackers wouldn’t stay long

"I don’t see anyone," Delaney said, returning

"Me, either" Kara started down the stairs

Hawke peered out the peephole just as Polaris disappeared beyond sight of the door Lynks battled-ra the door rattle Polaris was going to be the problerabbed the keys to Vhyper’s Porsche, pressed theaze "Stay to the side of the door until I give you the sign" His gaze focused on Olivia "Then get them out of here"

Olivia shook her head "We’re not leaving you to face theave you direct orders to protect the Radiant She’s your only concern"

"Hawke" Faith touched his arm "You need ainst hiain "You won’t survive a draden swarhtened, and while she didn’t reply, a stubborn, deterht lit her eyes

"I mean it, Faith I can still shift I won’t die from draden bites"

Her mouth thinned, but she nodded and looked away

Good

The shattering of glass in the dining rooan to thud with the certain knowledge that he had to keep it together, he had to oddess only kneould happen If he lost it and shifted, leaving the woht it out on their oould Polaris and Lynks kill them? The Ewan they’d knoould never have, not in ahad happened to the new Ferals Soic And Haasn’t about to risk it

As the four woainst the wall beside the door, he peered out the peephole Anyinto the hall behind hiht to hi was off on this, they were in trouble But as he’d counted on, Lynks was gearing up for another battle ram Hawke silently pulled back the well-oiled locks and curled his hand around the latch As Lynks once again threw his entire weight against the door, Harenched it open and grabbed the ainst the far wall By the ti out the door, Delaney taking up the rear, her gun drawn

Hawke slammed the front door closed behind them and stepped in front of it as the polar bear raced down the hall, a quarter ton of angry, charging beast

The red haze threatened, creeping around Hawke’s vision as if it knew his defense against it was about to leave in Vhyper’s Porsche As if it knew that this ti his swords in clawed hands And prayed this wasn’t his final battle Not when the love of his life was finally his to claim

The moment Delaney closed the front door, Faith stopped "I’"

Delaney stared at her "You can’t You must knohat the draden will do to you"

"It doesn’t matter Hawke needs me"

Olivia tossed the keys to Delaney "You drive"

Delaney looked at Faith worriedly "She’s staying"

Olivia nodded "I know If he were the man I loved, I’d do the same No matter the cost So would you"