"What is this?" he demanded.
"I told you. I'm going to find my brother," she responded. "The Guardians gave me a team to help, but only you know where to go. So we're here to work with you to find him."
Jonny raised an eyebrow at her careful words. "You brought Damian's people onto my headquarters without permission."
"We're. Here. To. Help. That's it."
Jonny considered her long enough for a familiar flush of arousal to reach her cheeks and her pupils to dilate. He stepped closer until only she was able to hear him.
"What kind of deal did you have to make for Damian to hand over a team of Guardians?" he asked.
"I told you I'd do whatever it took," she replied.
"You're in no shape to fight, Ash," he whispered. "I don't need to touch you to know."
"It doesn't matter, Jonny. I will find Brandon. These guys will help you. They have no qualms about killing vamps."
He folded his arms across his chest.
"The other vamps," she clarified. "Dusty gave me full control, and I told them the vamps with this mark are off limits." She held up her hand.
"Whatever negotiation you made with any of them is non binding if it's about me," he warned her.
"It wasn't. It's about me."
Jonny almost spoke the words he knew were very wrong for this situation. Instead, he spun on his heel and walked away. "Let's talk. Now." Those vamps nearest him jumped at his sharp tone. "Tell your team to stand down or they'll be slaughtered where they stand." Without waiting to confirm she complied, he strode back into the house and paused in the foyer. "Charles, do you know any of the Guardians she brought?"
"I recognize two. This is one of their special ops teams," Charles said from his position at the table covered with weapons and radios waiting to be issued out for the night's raid. "Very highly trained, very disciplined."
"So they'll obey her."
"Yeah."
"And she'll obey you."
Charles didn't respond.
"There can be only one ops leader for this mission, Charles. She'll do what you say, or she and the team are out."
"Yes, ikir," he replied.
"I manage my own team," Ashley said from the entrance.
"You give them orders and Charles gives you yours," Jonny replied. "Or have you forgotten …" He lifted his hand to display the mark all his vamps wore.
She rolled her eyes. He found himself looking at her too long, a thrill running through him to realize she wasn't just alive but close to being herself again. He knew how powerful of a healer Bianca was. Seeing the evidence, however, made him truly appreciate his sister's gift for the first time.