"I forwarded the reports on the most isolated Guardians' station we could find."
Jonny glanced up from his phone, where he'd been skimming through said report. His base in southern Oregon perched on the ocean and was surrounded by trees. He sat on the veranda off the top floor in the cool fall sun. "Reading it."
Even Damian's most un-secured location was still a nightmare. No station, however remote, was truly ever defenseless. Some were located in crowded neighborhoods, some in more isolated areas, but all had the ability to raise the alarm and alert the White God within seconds if attacked. The target Charles had found was located in a tiny city in southern Idaho.
"We confirmed the trunk runs to this one," Charles added, referring to the White God's secret internet network linking all the stations.
"Four Guardians, two shifts. The house is never empty and located in a neighborhood," Jonny said and lowered his phone. His gaze went to the ocean. "Also warded, I imagine."
"Yeah." The older, more experienced vamp was studying him. "I see one way in. What do you see?"
Charles had been instrumental in Jonny's learning of guerrilla strategy and war tactics as well as strategic planning. He often took on the role of teacher, and Jonny debated a moment, assessing the situation as he had been taught. "No direct attack. No sneaking in with one Guardian always on duty and the wards up," he surmised. "We need a distraction to draw them out and a reason for the wards to be tripped that'll cover our activities."
Charles was waiting.
"We set the house next door on fire, maybe under the guise of a party."
"That will work," Charles confirmed. "With the addition it should probably be a fire a few houses down that spreads in their direction. Otherwise, the wards might trip before the place has to be evacuated."
Jonny nodded. "It's Friday. Let's do it. Three vamps and you enough?"
"It is."
"I'll send Hector and the other team out to hunt the rogues." Jonny rose and started back into the house.
"One small issue."
"What?"
"The talisman. It was taken from the four attacked at the warehouse last night."
"Rogues?"
"Vigilante."
Jonny faced him, surprised. "Some stupid Natural stole it? How could anyone know what it was?"
"I don't know."
"Do you think this is something Damian is behind?"
Charles hesitated, pensive. "No. The Guardians kill without hesitation when a human is in danger, and the vamps had three humans with them for dinner. This vigilante didn't kill."
"Damian has rogues, too." If the situation weren't so dangerous, Jonny might have been amused. "So some crazy Natural has been going around beating up my vamps and now stole something from me." He shook his head. "I don't have time for stupid shit like this, Charles! How does some pinche idiota get a hold of something like this?" Of Cuban heritage, he often resorted to cursing in his native Spanish when he was upset.