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Orlando wanted to argue, but Lucienne held a hand in the air. “We’ll not fight inside the enemy’s lair. That’s final.”

“How does Ashburn know our every move?” Vladimir asked.

“I was wondering that, too.” Orlando looked around sharply, as if trying to find a mole he could whack. “Whenever we set out in his direction, he’s already fled to the Ghost House.”

“Ashburn has powers beyond our perception,” Lucienne said.

Eyebrows up, Vladimir stared at Lucienne, waiting. Lucienne blew out a sigh. She couldn’t keep this from her men anymore. “He can access your memories, even remotely, which means, he can constantly read your thoughts. He knows everything you know.”

“I met that kid,” the giant said. “He doesn’t look that impressive.”

“He can block the satellite,” Duncan said. “That sounds impressive to me.”

Kian turned to Lucienne. “What else do you know?”

“I’m the only one who can shield my mind against him,” she said. Over her men’s puzzled, awed looks, she added, “I’m the Siren. My bloodline is one of the most ancient, like his. We need to change plans. I need to go to him alone.”

“Absolutely not!” Orlando said. Then everyone rose, objecting fiercely.

“It’s the only way,” Lucienne said. “I need to talk to him first. I’ll radio when I need you.”

“Don’t allow her, McQuillen,” Vladimir said. “She’s behaving carelessly again.”

Lucienne narrowed her eyes at Vladimir, and he glared back. “Don’t put us in this impossible position,” he said.

The rest of the warriors murmured in agreement. For the first time, all the men united to oppose the Siren’s decision.

“We must take the risk,” Lucienne said. “Ashburn won’t hurt me. I’ll only go to the Fury house and wait him out. He’ll come home eventually if he knows I’m alone, and he’ll never allow Seraphen to go near his parents. As long as I stay with his folks, I’m safe. And when Seraphen is out of his lair, you take him down.”

“We can hold his parents or his girlfriend hostage,” Vladimir said. “That way we’d get Ashburn first, then the mutant, and you’d stay safe.”

“That will work,” Kian said.

When it came to fighting wars, the two men closest to her thought the same way, more than they wanted to admit. But if Lucienne used Ashburn’s family against him, he’d never forgive her. “No,” Lucienne said. “The Furys are sheep, and I’m not a butcher.”

“We’re at war, Lucienne,” Vladimir said. “We do whatever it takes to win.”

“Blazek has a point this time,” Orlando agreed.

“We’re at war with Seraphen, not with Ashburn Fury,” Lucienne said.

“What’s the difference?” Vladimir rolled his eyes. “They’re the same.”

“Not to me,” Lucienne said.

Vladimir’s jaw tightened and his eyes went hard.

“I can’t just think in terms of war,” Lucienne said. “We need Ashburn to help us figure out the puzzles and then we can all move forward.”

“I hope that’s the only thing you need from him,” Vladimir said.

“What does that mean?” Glaring at Vladimir, Lucienne slammed her hand onto the table. A map on it trembled.

“You know exactly what I mean, Queen of Secrecy.” Vladimir struck out his jaw, glaring back.

This was their first public fight. Lucienne bit her lip. “If you don’t want to be around me, take off.”

“It’ll be sooner than you want,” Vladimir barked back.