The moment the steel shutters slammed down, the atmosphere in the chamber shifted instantly.
For the first time since the Circle's assault began, the invading soldiers hesitated.
They had pushed forward aggressively through the mansion's hallways, expecting Gale and his defenders to keep retreating.
But now—
The retreat had stopped.
Vanessa stood near one of the stone arches with her pistol raised, studying the trapped soldiers carefully.
Ten of them.
Maybe eleven.
All heavily armed.
All extremely dangerous.
But the difference now was simple.
They had nowhere to go.
Marco leaned against the stone column beside her and whispered under his breath.
"Well."
Vanessa raised an eyebrow.
"Well what?"
Marco grinned slightly.
"Now we're the ones ambushing them."
Vanessa smirked.
"That's the idea."
Across the chamber, the Circle soldiers had already reorganized themselves.
Even trapped, their discipline held.
