Standing firm, Kelsie defended their position, ensuring she could return to the boundary line should he suddenly appear. Keeping the boundary line free of black-clad attackers by using her training of fighting in a circle pattern evading fists, swords, and the occasional attempt at using a gun or dagger. She manoeuvred through the surging swarm. Anger rose as she realised these nefarious people were determined to follow their leader's orders at any cost. Assisting a fellow Assasin against two attackers, Kelsie turned in a circle looking at the crowding black-clad villains. They were pushing toward the boundary line their target was not to be achieved. Dropping to a crouch, swinging her leg in a circle and knocking them off their feet, she aimed to give her brethren time to dispatch them. Receiving nods of appreciation, Kelsie spun into the fighting once more. Noticing Alyx taking on many attackers simultaneously, a blow caught her unawares from behind, knocking her off balance. Anger ran along her arms as she felt the tall, chunky figure take a step closer. Standing suddenly, she drove her sword deep under her arm. The gasp and jerk were all she needed before she moved into battle once more.

Alyx ran after Zander tracking him. The complete focus on Zander frightened Alyx; he needed to intervene to defend his captain. Alyx felt something inside still. Moving automatically, Alyx felt his arm swing, his hands fisted and punched, his dagger sliced. Moving forward, gathering leather-clad fighters as he went. The goal was the boundary line of the House. He realised the black-clad attackers were trying to move them away from the boundary line, but they found it challenging. Zander raced past Kelsie as an arrow met its mark in someone who would have attempted to terminate him. Alyx sucked in a breath as he dispatched another black-clad attacker.

Zander would be needing Kelsie soon. Apparently, she remained uninformed of the additional requirement to get the job done. Although he had stated the sense of something missing from the process, neither Zander nor he could pinpoint what it could be. They only hoped the missing link would either be found or appear before they were all terminated. Moving between the boundary line, Kelise and Zander's position and the persistent attackers, Alyx deflected the downward motion of the blade, arching his back as a dagger snacked out toward his torso. A knee caught him in the ribs and sent him to the ground. Gripping his sword tightly, he rolled to the side, coming up in a crouch and looking into the unholy gaze of the person they were destined to defeat. The name given to him by his father was evil in itself, conjuring torturing mental images and physical pain to the one who said it. They had learnt never to mention this man by name early in life for their own sanity. Alyx watched him pull a gun again, aiming it at him. Suddenly a blade appeared, slicing up the side of the arm from elbow to wrist. The wound was not fatal but deep enough for a yelp of pain to erupt from his snarling lips.

"Enough of this cowardice," the tall man said, clad in leathers and cape, holding his blade against the thick pulsing neck, "stop this wanton butchery."

"Uncle," the lips peeled away from barred teeth, "here to bring me to my senses? Again? You know I always get what I want."

"What you are doing is madness," the leather-clad elder hissed. "You will never gain your father's approval by taking something he never wanted in the family again."

"I will take what I want," he snarled, "and never mention my father again. He is dead, along with his weak mate," a glint of metal caught in the sun as it drove into the elder's side, "just like my mother and now you."

Alyx stared as the body fell. The harsh realisation that their lives didn't matter to this madman pushed Alyx's resolve into high gear. The confession of taking not only his father's life but that of his mother also sent hot white fury through Alyx. Rising with a cold expression on his face, he motioned for those around him to move toward the House as the blazing evil gaze caught sight of Kelsie. Again the vile focus shifted toward the boundary line. Alyx ran through the fighting thong, reaching Zander's radius as Kelsie turned, deflecting the cowardice attack.

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Zander's command rang through the air. Alyx looked around him, they needed Zander's Guard, but he didn't know who had taken that pledge after so long. Giving a whistle, only those trained to understand would follow. He moved into battle once again, joined by resolute leather-clad fighters. Together they began driving the black-clad attackers between their commander and the Ruler of the Order. Today would not end without a fight. If that meant their death, it would be so. Their allegiance hummed through them as they answered the call of their pledge.

Anne replaced the book before moving toward the front of the House. Turning the handle to exit, she heard a throat clear making her grimace. She had never been able to get anything past her mate and Guard.

"Going somewhere?" George asked.

"Kelsie needs me," she said, turning to meet the look in his eye that made her hesitate, "what is it?"

"Do you plan on telling Kelsie you requested a viewing from the House without her knowledge or permission?" he ambled toward her.

"I had a hunch," Anne sighed, "I needed to get information quickly. Besides, Kelsie is a little busy ... I could go out there and ask permission," Anne glanced out a nearby window.

George followed her gaze, watching their daughter fight, "She definitely has grown into a beautiful woman," he turned his gaze back to his mate, "what you did was wrong. You're fortunate the House accepted you. Never do that again, or I will inform Kelsie."

"You would inform on me?" Anne frowned, shock slamming into her expression.

"If you go against what is right for the order..." George sighed, "and detrimental for yourself I shall."

Anne's gaze softened, "Thank you... for this one time."

George brushed a kiss on her forehead, "What did you find?"

Anne sighed, glad of his acceptance of her actions, "On the night we left here," Anne shook her head, "Connie placed information in the library. Information Zinnia asked her to place before her death."

"Tell me," George said, his attention caught.

Anne quickly told what she had seen and found, "I always thought there was more to what was supposed to happen. She cannot do it just with Zander. We need to help her."

"I'm not letting you go out there alone," George shook his head, "I'm your Guard. My pledge does not stop when you relinquish rule to another."

"Fine," Anne said, "Kelsie will need help in a moment. Why not go out there, give her the help she needs, and end this nightmare we have lived for all these years. I want time with our daughter and her children. I'm sure Cal would like the same with Zander, but we cannot do that if the Order is not restored."

"Anne is correct," Cal said from the doorway, "but you forget something. I'm your second in command, George, as your pledge does not break for Anne, neither does mine for you."

"We overheard," Jason said, appearing behind Cal with Jackie at his side, "if you're going out there, so are we."

"Who protects the House and the refugees?" Anne asked.

"We have appointed the Elders of the Guard to stand ground," Jackie said, "but we go with you."

Anne shuffled, "If you are insistent on this, now would be a good time."

She pulled open the door running down the stairs toward the pair on the boundary line. George flew over the railing, landing and rolling with graceful agility running into the fray, calling for Kelsie to continue saying the words.

Anne took in her daughter's sweat-drenched face, the strain in her eyes as she held herself in place; instead of running into the fight as her father had. Instinctively Anne knew she could not touch her; as much as she wanted to soothe and encourage her, everything pointed to Kelsie doing this independently.

"Keep saying the words Kelsie," she whispered, "there is more to the defeat."

Tortured eyes turned toward her, a nod. The head bowed to read the paper in Anne's hand as the words continued to churn across the air into the battlefield, drawing its target ever closer.