Thane shook his head. "They will be set to go off for ferals only. The spell detects creatures without souls, then activates; otherwise, unit warriors
running patrols would set them off." He looked out at the vast landscape. "It won't be perfect because there will be gaps, but it should help."
Izzy stared. To their right, the air began to shimmer gold before a portal opened. Darian and three other warriors stepped through. Darian sighed. "Good, you're all still here. I didn't know whether to go to the palace or not."
Aiden clasped forearms with the two of the men and ruffled the blond hair of the third. "Hey, Ben."
"Where's my baby sister?" The man asked, ducking his head away. "Mother told me in no uncertain terms that I was to coddle her shamelessly," the blond warrior announced.
Aiden pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ben..."
The man held up his hands. "Mother's orders overwrite your jealousy. We all know Meryn loves me best."
"Thought I might find you here," a male voice called out.
Aiden looked up, then nodded. "Rex, what are you doing here?"
Rex just stared. "You all arrive, then warning bells are deafening everyone around the city." He looked around. "Where's Meryn? I would have thought for sure she'd be at the epicenter."
Izzy giggled. "She went back to the palace with Ryuu and Pierce, but she was here," she informed the handsome man. She eyed his arms. "You wouldn't be Elder Rex Lionhart, would you?"
Oron pulled her back toward him as Rex blinked. "Yes, I am. Do I know you?"
Izzy shook her head. "Meryn said that I had to meet the Elder with the amazingly hot arms."
Rex preened. "That woman has impeccable tastes."
Aiden snarled at both Rex and Ben. "She's my mate."
Darian led the two other warriors toward the units standing by. "Men, this is Lorcan Ariav, Beta's unit leader, Graham Armstrong, Delta's unit leader and the blond flirt is Ben McKenzie, Aiden's brother, he serves in the Gamma Unit with Oron. They are here, I'm assuming, to get you up to speed on the new drills we created for engaging reapers." He turned back to Aiden to confirm.
Aiden nodded and went to stand next to Darian. "Unlike Noctem Falls and Éire Danu, Lycaonia's perimeters, until very recently had to be constantly defended. Myself, along with Colton Albright and Gavriel Ambrosios have developed training methods to fight this new, invisible enemy." He turned to Graham, Lorcan and Ben. "We're running two-by-two-by two. Graham, you're assigned to training. Lorcan you're in charge of patrols and Ben you're to float between the two, wherever you're needed."
"Yes, sir." The three answered.
Aiden looked to the units. "Ari, can you assign them quarters amongst the units?"
Ari nodded. "Of course."
"Alright men, you have your orders for now. Ben, you're with me," Aiden commanded. He turned to Kendrick and the Ashleigh brothers. "See you for dinner." He and Ben walked up the street, heading toward the palace.
The men around her exhaled.
"Gods, he's good," Dav said.
Thane watched the unit commander walk away and smiled when Aiden reached up and cuffed Ben soundly. "It would have taken us at least a week to get this organized with the way other leaders posture. Their pride would never have allowed them to hand over major decision making to others. He not only quickly identified what needed to be done, but also asked the right men to do it."
Darian's back straightened. "We follow him for a reason, Thane."
The men all murmured their agreement.
Rex winked at her. "Come along, my dear. These men don't need us around." He placed her hand on his elbow to escort her back to the palace.
"Hey!" Oron exclaimed.
Izzy felt along his bicep. "She wasn't lying, your arms are amazing."
Rex laughed out loud. "I have so missed that little midget."