Watching the news hadn’t helped my mood, so Jordyn, Jo, and Harley had put the kibosh on my TV time.
Humans across the country were becoming restless. Some demanded answers. Others wanted to hear from me, and a large majority was desperate to eradicate vampires. The latter was a huge problem. The hunters were coming out of the woodwork, which was the cause of the threat the day Sam had gotten his 911. Three men dressed in armor and protective gear had scaled the electrified fence only to be captured by vampires and shifters. Yep, the Special Forces unit had shifted. As stupid as those men were, they hadn’t been harmed, but they had been compelled to forget they’d seen a wolf the size of a full-grown lion and men with fangs.
I was itching to fight, mainly to finally go head-to-head with my sister Rianne. I wanted to fuck with her just like she was fucking with me. The saying fight fire with fire was cliché, but I yearned to do just that—stand at a podium and tell the country how my sister had been brainwashed by Adam Emery. Show humans that I was alive and well and tell them how my family was distraught over Rianne’s decision to shed her humanity.
But returning fire in a public manner wouldn’t solve the larger problem, and with our luck, anything I said, any show-and-tell we did, could have a negative effect on us and the supernatural community. Sam might be right when he mentioned that if we presented Carly and Noah to the world, humans might think that they had been bitten by vampires.
Besides, battles weren’t won with words. Yet we had to find a way to control the narrative. We had to show the nation that Intech was killing humans, not engineering them into otherworldly creatures—at least not any who would live long enough to see their next birthday. How would we do that? I didn’t have the answer.
As much as I wanted to join the fray, I wasn’t ready—physically or emotionally. Though I was working out and growing stronger by the day. My goal was to be in better shape than before I’d gotten pregnant, not only to fight but to have the strength to protect my kids.
George turned into the driveway of the sprawling slate-blue house with gable dormers, skylights, a two-car garage, and shrubs and plants that needed some tender loving care.
As I moved to get out of the SUV, Conrad swung out his arm. “Wait here. George and I will check things out.”
I doubted our enemies were waiting for us inside or anywhere on the property—or even in town, for that matter. For two solid weeks, there hadn’t been any signs of suspicious activity or strangers in town. But we couldn’t let our guard down.
I leaned on the armrest separating my seat from Conrad’s. “Have you heard from Webb this morning?” I asked Jo.
We received daily updates from either Webb or Tripp about base activities or council business, if they were allowed to tell us. What we did know so far is that Steven Mason hadn’t come through yet on calling the guardians off Sam. I wasn’t tuned in to vampire politics, but apparently their government had not only five elders presiding over their kind but other top officials and heads of state who needed convincing to wake up to the new age. More importantly, Steven was trying to prevent a division among his kind, which would only lead to war that would end in bloodshed and anarchy. In the meantime, the hunt was still in high gear for my husband.
“I have,” she said. “Aside from a small crowd still picketing, Webb told me they’ve had the base under control since they captured the intruders. It also helped that we leaked to the press that Sam was seen at a rest stop, heading toward Chicago.”
Webb and team told the guardians that Sam had been sent to Chicago on a SEAL team fact-finding mission to gather intel. To support that story, I’d suggested we tell the media the same. Some in the news had reported they’d seen Sam going into Intech.
All of us had a great laugh over that headline.
Fun times.
George waved at us before he unlocked the front door. The local real estate agent had given George the key to show us the place since she couldn’t join us. The century-old vampire knew every person in town. If they had a local mayor, George would win hands down.
Conrad stood at the end of the driveway, scanning the road.
Once out of the vehicle, I inhaled the salt air. I could see Sam and me living here. I could picture myself walking with the kids along the winding path jutting out from the side of the house and down to the sandy beach below. I angled my face toward the cumulus clouds skating across the deep-blue sky, a canopy hanging over the peaceful Atlantic in the distance. I wasn’t here to buy, but I could see my family living here.
“Layla,” Jo called. “You gotta see the inside.”
George’s brown eyes shimmered with excitement as I entered. “This place would fit your family perfectly. Six bedrooms, four baths, and plenty of storage. Although I think the kitchen needs some work.” He sounded like a real estate agent.
The world outside faded as I stood in the grand foyer that boasted a crystal chandelier and a spiral cherrywood staircase. I felt as though I’d stepped into a fairy tale, even more so when I walked into the vast great room that melded with the kitchen and dining rooms.
Jo’s house was beautiful, but this one was ten times better, larger, and would fit my family to a T. I could see a life of happiness through the three sliding glass doors that overlooked the ocean. I could picture a Christmas tree in the corner by the fireplace with a slew of presents underneath for the kids to open. I could almost feel the love and happiness as we gathered as a family on Christmas morning, or any time for that matter.
I twirled around, absorbing more of the details—the crown molding throughout gave the space an added touch of richness along with the myriad of windows, including two skylights. The built-in bookcases on each side of the fireplace would be home to family pictures and children’s books. The kitchen was a decent size but definitely needed some upgrades.
“I think I might buy this place.” Jo tittered.
I would myself if Sam and I were ready. But could we afford the million-dollar property? Sam had money, but I didn’t. My pride made me want to contribute, but I didn’t see myself working outside the home with four children to raise.
Jo opened the middle sliding glass door. “Come out here, Layla.”
I followed her outside to the tiled patio of red clay and gray stone with an outdoor kitchen and lounge area. The house could be a shack, and I would fork over the money just for the view.
In the distance, sailboats tacked along the ocean’s surface, a picture-perfect backdrop that would entice anyone to buy on the spot.
Tears threatened as I thought about Sam, wishing he was here. Any little thing set off my mood swings as of late. Damned hormones.
“Layla, look at this.” She stabbed a finger skyward at a hexagon-shaped windowed gable dormer that reminded me of a castle, as the roof pitched to a point.
