Not nearly as tough as she pretended. Phil wished he could take her in his arms and kiss away the frown lines from her brow, but he couldn't in front of a witness. "We'll be right back." He slipped outside with Phineas.
He waited on the back porch a few seconds while his eyes adjusted to the darkness. Then he descended the stairs to the gravel walkway. The moon, three-quarters full, hung low over a dark silhouette of evergreens. A breeze rustled the branches, filling the air with the scent of pine.
He strolled down the walkway, the gravel crunching under his rubber boots. Phineas walked beside him, peering into the dark woods.
"This way." Phil turned to make a clockwise circle around the cabin. Their footsteps became soft on the grass. He listened carefully. Birdsong, the scurrying of little paws through the underbrush.
"How bad is it?" he asked.
Phineas kicked a pinecone. "The Russian Malcontents attacked the townhouse. No one was there, but the alarm went off at Romatech, and by the time we got there, they all teleported away."
"Cowards," Phil grumbled.
"We're going to bunk down at Romatech till things settle down." Phineas sighed. "If it ever settles down. That Sigismund dude made it sound like all the Romatechs were in danger. Angus sent Mikhail, Zoltan, Jack, and Dougal to the other facilities to beef up security."
Phil glanced at the cabin's front porch as they passed by. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention Sigismund in front of Vanda. I want to break the news to her myself."
"Does she know him?"
"He's the one who changed her and her sister."
Phineas whistled. "Hot damn, bro. No wonder you nearly squeezed his head off. That was really awesome, though, the way your hand turned into a paw."
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention that either."
Phineas halted. "You haven't told her yet?"
"No. I tried, but…" He groaned inwardly. He should have tried harder. Vanda had been so adamant in her refusal to talk. What was she trying to hide from him?
Phineas resumed their walk around the cabin. "Connor wanted me to pass on a message. Keep your furry paws to yourself while you're guarding Vanda."
Phil gazed into the dark woods, saying nothing.
"Obviously, Connor's warning is too late," Phineas muttered.
"I'm not discussing it." Phil rounded the corner of the house and headed for the back porch.
"You don't have to, bro. The Love Doctor senses these things. Besides, you're an animal. You're going to act like one." Phineas howled like a wolf.
"Enough," Phil growled. "This has nothing to do with my animal nature. I love Vanda. And I think she loves me."
"Dude, she doesn't even know you. Not until you tell her the truth."
Phil winced inwardly. "Okay. You made your point." He could only hope his shape-shifting nature wouldn't make a difference. Vanda claimed his love would be enough. But she hated shape shifters. And she was terrified of wolves.
As they neared the back door, he heard the phone ring inside. "Hurry." He rushed to open the door. "I'd rather Vanda not answer it."
Phineas zoomed inside at vampire speed, beating Vanda to the phone. "Hello?"
As Phil locked the back door, he noted the shocked expression stealing over the black Vamp's face.
"How—How did it happen?" Phineas asked. He grimaced as he listened to the response.
Vanda retreated to the fireplace, a worried look furrowing her brow. She crossed her arms, her shoulders hunched.
"All right," Phineas said quietly. "We'll be right there." He gently replaced the receiver, then turned slowly to face them. He still looked stunned.
"What happened?" Phil asked.
Phineas swallowed audibly. "The Romatechs in Texas and Colorado were bombed. Fourteen Vamps are dead. More were injured."
Vanda sucked in a breath and pressed a hand to her mouth.
Phil felt a tightening in his chest. For the last few years there had been tension between the Malcontents and Vamps. There'd even been a few minor skirmishes. But nothing on this scale.
He looked across the room at Vanda. Somehow, he had to keep her safe. And he also needed to fight. "The war has begun."
CHAPTER 15
War.
Vanda shuddered. The nightmare was back in full force. At the age of twenty-two she'd lost her home, her family, and her mortality. War had ripped her life to shreds, and she'd ended up all alone, hunted and hiding in caves.