Page 67 of Dance in the Stones

“Can you activate them?” Giorgio asked.

“With Redford’s help, we could, yes.” Simon grinned.

Damon’s hand found Redford’s. “We’ll need to show these idiots that we won’t back down, otherwise they’ll just keep coming back, so we do anything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen. This isn’t just mine and Redford’s home, it’s a sanctuary for innocents and deserves our protection.”

“You’d better feed us first,” Beau said with a chuckle. “Did anyone think to zap up a barbecue?”

/~/~/~/~/

They spent the afternoon preparing. JC mapped defensive positions while Redford and Simon reinforced the castle’s wards. The other hellhounds established a perimeter, their combined presence creating a barrier that made the air itself feel thick with power.

Finn and Kara stayed in the west wing, but Redford caught them watching from the windows. Kara’s defensive aggression had softened into something closer to hope. Finn’s fear remained, but it was tempered now by the sight of twelve massive protectors treating their safety as non-negotiable.

“We’ve never…” Kara started when Redford brought them dinner. “We’ve never had anyone stand up for us before.”

“You do now,” Redford said simply. “Now, look, after you’ve eaten, I’d like you to both stay in your rooms – you can stay together, but this will give the castle the chance to ward this wing off, so that you’ll be safe. If anyone, and I mean anyone who shouldn’t gains access to the castle, one of the hounds will translocate in and take you both to safety. I promise you that.”

“We trust you,” Finn said, and Redford could see that Kara felt the same way.

Nodding, because it wasn’t seemly for a former FBI Special Agent to be seen showing emotion, Redford managed to say, “Thank you,” before he quickly left. Damn dust in my eyes.

As evening approached, Redford descended to the crystal chamber alone. He needed to speak with the castle directly, without the pack’s overwhelming presence interfering with the connection.

The crystals pulsed anxiously, their light flickering in patterns that spoke of fear and uncertainty. Through his gargoyle, Redford felt the castle’s consciousness pressing against his awareness.

“Tonight, people will come who want to hurt you, control you, and use you.” Redford placed his palm against the largest crystal. “But we’re not going to let that happen. You’ve seen Damon and me work together. Tonight, you’ll see what it means to have an entire pack’s protection.”

The crystal’s light stuttered. Memories flooded through the connection - violence at the gates, Alastair’s final stand, the sensation of failure as its last keeper fell. The castle had locked itself away after that betrayal, unwilling to risk being used again.

“You didn’t fail,” Redford said gently, his voice echoing off the stone walls. “You were betrayed by someone you trusted, and he really didn’t mean to do it. But this time is different. This time, you have guardians who won’t betray you, and a pack that will stand with us.” He pressed harder against the crystal, letting his gargoyle resonate through the stone. “Trust us. Let us protect you the way you protect us.”

The crystal’s pulsing slowed. Not quite trust yet, but something close. Hope, maybe. Or the desperate wish to believe.

Redford stayed until the crystals’ light steadied, then climbed back to find Damon waiting at the top of the stairs.

“Is it ready?” Damon asked.

“Getting there.” Redford pulled his mate close, breathing in stone dust and fire. “Are you?”

“I was born ready to defend what’s mine. It’s basically my life’s purpose.” Damon hugged him tight.

They gathered in the courtyard as midnight approached. The pack formed a loose circle, each hellhound’s presence magnifying the others. Through his connection to the castle, Redford felt its consciousness hovering, watchful and waiting.

Moira had called an hour ago with final confirmation. Seven hostiles inbound, expected arrival at midnight exactly. The Keepers of the Old Ways operated with a show of force that was meant to intimidate before they even spoke.

At three minutes to midnight, Redford and Damon walked to the edge of the courtyard together. The pack remained close to the castle, hidden but ready. Redford felt Damon’s confidence, and his hellhound’s eagerness to show these intruders exactly who they’d chosen to threaten.

Seven figures materialized at the top of the driveway precisely at midnight.

Magnus Kenric led them – a tall, severe man, with silver hair and eyes that glowed with magic. Sergei Volkov stood at his right shoulder, his presence alone making the air feel colder.

Behind them were five alphas - a wolf shifter built like a tank, a bear who topped seven feet, a lion whose human form still radiated predatory grace, an eagle with eyes too sharp to be fully human, and a serpent whose movements carried an unsettling fluidity.

On any other day, and in front of anyone else, they would likely be considered powerful, confident, and definitely intimidating.

All Redford felt was annoyance. He stepped forward, his FBI training sliding into place. “This sanctuary operates under full Paranormal Council authority. You have no jurisdiction here.”

Magnus laughed, the sound cold and dismissive. “The council is weak, scrambling to maintain a status quo that no longer serves us.” His magic flared, tendrils of power reaching toward the castle stones. “Sanctuaries make our kind vulnerable, and could expose us to human discovery. We’ve come to shut you down, peacefully if you’re wise, by force if necessary.”