Free The Frenzy War by Gregory Lamberson Page B

silence. As soon as they settled, they rushed across the Lourdes’ lawn.
    Michael didn’t say anything to Angelo. He didn’t need to; they had planned the operation together. He leapt into the air and landed on the street, then took off after the others. Security lights above the house’s front door flashed on, illuminating the yard as the van proceeded down the street. Angelo would turn the van around, close the side door, and wait.
    The glowing Christmas lights caused distortion in the night vision goggles, and Michael adjusted their filter. He hoped everyone else did the same. He did not intend to break radio silence early.
    Two silhouettes crouched at the front door: Myles and Eun. To Michael, they resembled ninjas wearing overcoats. They all did. Myles and Eun attacked separate locks on the door with their lock-picking tools.
    Michael followed Henri and Valeria around a maroon SUV and a silver compact parked in the driveway to the side of the house. Henri and Valeria pressed themselves against opposite sides of the door, and Henri removed his own lock-picking tool.
    Michael glided past them to the gate of the wooden fence that surrounded the property. Rather than test the gate and risk activating an alarm before they had all assumed theirpositions, he set his palms on top of the gate and vaulted over it, the Blade bumping against his leg. His boots slapped the concrete louder than he would have preferred, and he hurried to the back door. Like the others, he removed his lock-picking tool and inserted it into the door’s keyhole. Hearing a click, he returned the tool to his pocket and listened for sounds inside the house. Then he pressed the Talk button on his headset and whispered, “Is everyone ready?”
    â€œAffirmative,” Myles said.
    â€œAffirmative,” Valeria said.
    â€œLet’s do it.”

    Valeria held her breath until she heard Michael give the order. Then, exhaling, she opened the door. Henri ran in first, and she followed him and closed the door. To their left, a narrow stairway led to the basement; to their right, three steps went into the kitchen. Based on their intelligence, Michael had to do the same thing out back but alone. Myles and Eun had to pick two locks and enter the override command into the alarm keypad.
    With her night vision goggles, Valeria saw Henri open the flimsy door leading into the kitchen, and as she trailed him, she heard the keening of the alarm keypad. The noise would probably awaken the house’s inhabitants, but at least a police patrol would not be dispatched in response to an actual alarm.
    Henri moved swift and silent, like a shadow, and she did her best to follow suit. She disliked wearing the mask, goggles, and duster, which restricted her senses and movements.They entered the dining room, then emerged into a great room, where a figure joined them, causing her to jump. She had known Michael would be here, had expected to see him, and yet his sudden appearance had still startled her. The alarm pad in the next room stopped keening.
    The three of them continued into the living room, where they saw Myles and Eun standing side by side. Framed photos on an entertainment unit showed Jason Lourdes and his parents at various events and on vacation: just a normal American family. Michael motioned to Myles and Eun, who crept up the stairs. Then he and Henri approached the banister to do the same.
    Valeria heard a sound like heavy breathing. Spinning on one heel, she saw three hulking shapes rise before her in unison. She registered their pointy ears and ferocious snouts, and she noticed distinct musculature beneath their fur. The werewolves stood seven feet tall, their gleaming eyes focused on her.
    They can see in the dark,
Valeria thought. “Company!”

    When Samuel saw the black passenger van decelerating near the house, Tim notified Kyle, who watched the backyard from the kitchen window. The three of them ran into the basement,