I straightened my back, inhaled deeply, and left my office to see for myself what level of attack was taking place. Rylan wouldfind Percy and remove her from any potential danger. She would be protected by my Royal Guard.
As much as I wished to go to her, if I was to hold Ardens Estate and secure the future she deserved, I could not flee.
Adamantia would be in the midst of the chaos. She was greeting the two fools. She would not abandon her home. The smell of fuel from the explosive made it near impossible to search for Adamantia by scent. But the scent of fuel was revealing—Lydia most likely used an improvised explosive. My lessons with General Creel on recognising the type of battle one was waging had been extensive. It was crucial to know the style and tactics being used in order to adequately defend and attack.
Explosives that smelled like fuel were improvised, not military grade. This was likely a small-scale attack, by those lacking any real resources.
I saw Adamantia as I reached the main staircase. Her expression was stern as she commanded the Ardens Guard, removing rubble from the entrance foyer that blocked the main doors.
“Adamantia,” I called. She turned to me her expression softening.
“Selene, Percy is with Sasha,” she informed me immediately as I began to descend the stairs.
“Is this the work of Lydia?” I asked.
“I believe so,” she answered and turned her attention to a guard.
“I’ve sent men to escort and assist the servants and staff to safety,” he informed Adamantia.
“Lady Petra and Flores are in my wing.”
“I have already sent the Royal Guard for Percy. Sasha would not be left unprotect,” I reassured her.
Adamantia nodded and turned back to the guard. “How long before this rubble is removed? Do we have eyes on the attackers?” she asked.
“Men are making their way to the roof and outside to the front now to get eyes on and engage with the enemy.”
Almost immediately, the sound of gunshots began to be heard. The guards radio crackled.
“At least one hundred fifty combatants—bringing them in by the bus load,” the voice on the other end announced.
“How did they get past the gate?” the guard asked.
“It’s open, sir,” the voice replied.
“Equipment? What are we dealing with?” he asked.
“Automatic weapons, it looks like.” There was shouting and more gunfire that crackled over the radio and could be heard just beyond the quickly decreasing rubble. “Sir—combatant making their way inside—explosive vest—"
The radio was cut off.
I looked through the still-settling dust to see the silhouette of someone running towards the entrance.
The guard took aim and fired.
The combatant detonated.
The shock of the blast threw me back and up the stairs, the wooden steps cracking and splintering beneath me.
“Selene!” Adamantia called, her voice weak and coughing.
I pushed myself up. A grey cloud of smoke, dust, and debris made it difficult to see. More gunshots began to fire—a pitifulpop popin response to what I could see were combatants entering the mansion.
I looked to where Adamantia had been and found her some twenty feet away, a large metal support having landed on her. She would be reached in moments by combatants. I went to her, ignoring the ache in my back and lifting the support beam from her.
“Selene, this is too much,” she cried as a guard stepped between us and took out two combatants.
“We don’t have enough men,” I agreed. Even with my Royal Guard our men numbered only fifty-two. And with at least one hundred fifty militia outside—plus explosives, automatic weapons, the upper hand of surprise, and clearly inside help to get past the gates and all the way to our front door—we would not be able to hold Ardens Estate.
