The grand commander intends to let the next generation of females be raised by their parents. He has developed an ingenious system requiring their placement in the Registry when they come of age. I am still in awe.
—The journal of Isaac Ryland
It didn’t take long for Grant to spot the van parked outside his gates. It wasn’t visible from his personal security camera, but he had installed some extra ones on the front gates and he recognized the vehicle immediately.
“They’re in the house,” Hansen said. “Send someone to grab them.”
“I don’t know what her plan is,” Grant said. “But she wants to draw us away from him, and I won’t have that.”
Grant stood up and went to the bed. He pulled a gun out and pointed it down at the unconscious man.
“She won’t try anything while he’s still a hostage,” Grant said. “Look at the screen. Can you see any movement on any of the other cameras?”
“One of the screens is dark,” Hansen said. “Never mind. It was a fluke, it’s just dark outside.”
“What camera?” Grant asked.
“The one on the east side of the house.”
“Turn on the hall lights,” Grant said.
“I don’t know how to work your system,” Hansen said. “Technology is not my strong suit.”
“Fine,” Grant said. “Then switch with me. No matter what, don’t take your eyes or weapon off of this man.”
Hansen stood up and went toward Rod. He looked silly pointing an assault rifle at the sleeping man, but Hansen hadn’t had enough sense to pull out his pistol.
Grant went to the computer and checked out the screen. Everything looked normal. He watched Mia and Alex walk down the hallway. They were almost outside the door. Grant stood up and pointed his gun toward the door. He looked at his security system monitors. They were right outside.
“I have a gun pointed at Roderick,” Grant shouted. “If Alex steps in my line of sight I will shoot him dead, and if you try anything funny all of you are gone.”
There was silence. Grant heard a hand reach for the doorknob and it creaked open. Standing in the middle of the door frame was Amelia. She held her gun straight in front of her, a look of pure hatred across her face.