Page 60 of Grayson’s Challenge

Grayson looked at his watch. “We’ve got two hours left to sunrise. I suggest we eliminate as many guards patrolling the palace grounds as we can, before we attempt to get inside.”

“Quickly then,” Monique said. “Robert, you’re going with Logan, Blake, and Wesley. Point out those vampires who you don’t recognize. It’s safe to assume they are Abel’s men. And if you recognize somebody who’s still loyal to us, make sure they don’t kill them.”

Robert nodded. “Yes, Monique.”

They split up, one group heading to the left, the other to the right in search of Abel’s forces. For the first time since arriving in Louisiana, Grayson was hopeful that they could defeat Abel’s army. As for saving Monique’s brothers and his Scanguards colleagues and Stealth Guardian friends, he prayed they were still alive.

27

“Why didn’t they kill us right away?” David asked.

All seven of them, Zach, David, Virginia, John, Cooper, Enya, and Zoltan were in a large underground cell with stone walls and a heavy iron door. The room was part of the underground prison of the palace, but it hadn’t been used in decades.

“They’re probably waiting for orders from Abel,” Zach mused. “But we’re not gonna sit around here and wait for it.” He looked at Zoltan. “They might not know that Stealth Guardians can walk through walls.”

“My idea exactly.” Zoltan took off his jacket.

“What are you doing?” David asked.

Zoltan motioned to the white paint dust sticking to his clothes. He sniffed his jacket. “There’s something in this dust that’s preventing me from making it invisible. Can you guys smell it?”

The three hybrids and John inhaled deeply, then looked at each other.

“Maybe lead paint?” John asked.

Cooper nodded. “Yeah, I think that’s what it is.”

“That explains it,” Zoltan said and exchanged a look with Enya and Virginia.

“Explains what?” Zach asked impatiently.

“Lead is like kryptonite for Stealth Guardians. Zaps our powers, and we can’t walk through it or make it invisible.”

That was news to him. Now he understood why Zoltan was taking off his clothes.

“Okay, let’s all strip,” Zach ordered.

“And don’t forget your hair, face, and hands,” Zoltan added. “Turn your discarded clothes inside out and use that side to wipe yourself clean.”

Everybody began to take off their jackets, pants, and shirts to get to a layer without the white paint dust. While Zach stepped out of his pants, he cast a clandestine look at Enya, the blonde Stealth Guardian. She had to strip down to her bra and panties, and was now busy shaking out her long hair to get rid of the dust.

All of a sudden, his view of her was blocked. Zoltan had stepped in front of him, now only wearing his boxer briefs. “Let me give you some advice,” he hissed low and dark. “A wandering eye can get a man killed. I suggest you look in a different direction.”

Zach swallowed hard. Judging by the hostile look on Zoltan’s face, the man didn’t issue empty threats.

“I meant no offense,” he said quickly. “You’re a very lucky man.” He could only imagine what it was like to call a woman like Enya his own.

“Something wrong here?” Enya asked from behind Zoltan.

“Everything’s fine, baby,” Zoltan said, narrowing his eyes at Zach. “Isn’t it, Zach?”

“Yep, just eager to get out of here.”

Zoltan turned to his wife. “Let me check your hair to see if it’s all out.”

To Zach’s surprise, Enya made herself invisible, and now he saw it too. There were a few spots of white dust that looked like they were suspended in the air. “Virginia, check the others the same way.”

Fascinated, Zach watched as Virginia checked everybody in the same way to make sure no lead particles remained in anybody’s hair.