“All right. I want to go over this one more time,” Bennett said, sliding a dagger into her boot. “Last night, it didn’t appear that Napoleon’s army had weapons. He was most likely banking on their hunger to bring about our demise, which gives us an advantage. We approach from the front and walk as one, and you are to kill or incapacitate anything in your path. With no weapons, take their arms or legs first. That will slow them down, so a death strike isn’t absolutely necessary on the first go-round. Our goal is to find Napoleon, get the remote, and shock whatever ghouls left standing into submission. Then, we can kill them at our leisure. However, his coven will have weapons, and the council has given us their blessing to take them down as well. In other words, the only prisoner we’re taking alive tonight is Napoleon…and he’s mine. Spear him, beat him, take a leg or take an arm, but do not take his life. Is that clear?”

Everyone nodded, and opening the back door, Polly stepped out, and one by one, the others followed. Japanese swords were slid into back scabbards and daggers into sheaths, and as Lisa placed the last blade in her jacket, she looked at the snow settling on her hand.

Bennett saw Lisa’s blank expression. “If you’ve changed your mind, you can stay in the van, Lisa. You don’t have to go with us. I’d actually prefer if you—”

“I haven’t changed my mind, Bennett. I’m just wondering why I’m not freezing. I mean, I’m cold, but I’m definitely not freezing.”

“Extreme temperatures don’t affect us like it does mortals,” Angelique said, closing the van door. “But maybe Bennett is right, Lisa. Perhaps you should stay here. You’re a bloody good swordswoman, but you’re brand new at this and—”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” Lisa said, looking up the road. “It’s that way—right?”

Before anyone could answer, at the speed of a cheetah, Lisa disappeared into the snowstorm.

***