27. Battle Plans

Naptime was over when Simeon gently shook his shoulder.

Angel woke with a clarity he was grateful for when Rory, Cian, and Daniel came into the library, all three of them tense. Angel sat up and leaned on Simeon, bracing himself for what was coming.

"More enforcers?" Angel asked, voice rough from sleep.

Daniel nodded and sat in front of Angel in the closest armchair. "Their numbers have doubled, and there is a small pocket of sorcerers just beyond the wards out front. I think they might be trying to figure out how to get past them."

"Fuck," Angel swore, rubbing a hand over his face. "What time is it?"

"Sunset is in an hour." Simeon informed him, gesturing to the windows.

"Alright." Angel took a deep breath and then started giving orders. "Cian, be prepared to evacuate everyone in case we get overwhelmed, but that is the last resort. In the meantime, I want Leandro, Ash, and Celyn in the temple now, before anyone starts throwing spells."

"I'll do that now," Cian agreed, leaving the library to fetch his charges.

"Where's Eroch?" Angel asked.

"In the garden, sleeping off his meal from earlier," Rory informed him.

"Okay, Rory, go wake him up and see how he's feeling; if the growing pains are too much for him he goes in the temple with the others." Angel then looked at Daniel. "I need to know how many practitioners we have on our doorstep, and where they are. Can you do that for me?"

Daniel grinned sharply, reminding Angel of a predator for the first time. "I can."

"I shall inform everyone that it's starting and convene with the other vampires," Simeon said, grabbing his phone from a suit-jacket pocket and lighting up the screen. "We shall be fine, mo ghra."

"I'm not worried about us this time around," Angel murmured as Simeon left the library.

Angel took a minute to gather his thoughts, Daniel waiting patiently. "Where are Isaac and Constans?"

"They went back to the Tower while you were sleeping."

"Can you update them in the group chat about everything?"

"I can," Daniel said, pulling out his phone and typing fast.

He stood, Daniel doing the same. "Are you ready to fight?" Angel asked his former apprentice.

That predatory grin returned. "They should all be afraid."

"Good."