"Come on, Charles," she said and strode away. "Let's find my brother."
The Guardians didn't follow. Charles led her into the forest, to the vamp she assumed would take her where her brother was, and paused. Seconds later, they materialized somewhere else in the dark forest. Somewhere quiet, with no sign of a hideout or safehouse or anything.
Ashley didn't notice the look Charles gave the vamp beside him or the Traveler stepping away from them. She tuned her senses into the forest, waiting for the slightest sound or smell of her brother, anxious to see him again.
"Where is he, Charles? Do we have to go -"
Hot electricity tore through her, and she dropped to the ground, convulsing and panting. Ashley cursed him silently, bewildered by what he was doing, and lay still when the jolts of electricity ceased flowing.
Unable to move, she was helpless as he tied her arms and legs. "What … are you doing?" she managed at last.
"Jonny's orders," Charles said.
"What?"
"We do know where your brother is likely to be. Jonny wants us to get him then turn you both over to the Guardians. Then, you're supposed to get the fuck away from us."
A flicker of hurt was quickly replaced by anger. Ashley strained at her bonds.
Charles motioned the vamp with him back.
"This is so stupid, Charles!" she told him. "You need me fighting!"
He crouched beside her and gripped her shoulder, pushing her onto her side. With a glance at the vamp Traveler, he shifted closer. "I know. I am loyal to my god. But I do not agree with this decision, not because I care for a stupid Natural, but because I know he needs you."
She listened, surprised.
"I have been ordered to rescue your brother and deliver him to the Guardians, and I'm going to do so. I need to know something before you that'll determine whether or not I tell you where your weapons are."
"What?"
"Jonny shared his location with no one. No vamp can track him. Do you know where he is?"
Ashley rolled the question around in her head. She started to respond that she didn't, until she considered the location Valon had given her where he wanted to meet when she was done doing his dirty work. "I might. It's a long shot," she said. "Untie me and we can find out."
"No. If you get loose, it won't be because I let you," Charles rose. "But if you do find the weapons we hid in the bushes over there, and you happen to set yourself free, you need to find Jonny. You have my word Brandon will be safe."