Viktor sat back. “You will stay here until we find a solution. This is a safe place. It is not your home, but if you are in danger, I will protect you.” He scratched his silver beard, a pensive look on his face. “I will call your Packmaster and threaten to expose him if he comes after us.”
The girl eased her hold, and when I looked at Gem, she had tears welling in her eyes.
Gem shot to her feet. “Do you want to sleep in my room tonight? I have lots of pretty rocks and fairy lights all over the place.”
Marelle shook her head. “No, I like Kira’s room. It’s small, and I feel safe in there.”
“Then what are you doing out here?” I asked.
She gave me a sheepish look. “Kira fell asleep, and I wanted to see if you had any snacks.”
Wyatt snorted. “Kid, we got snacks. Tell me what you like, and I’ll get it for you.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I wasn’t talking to you.”
Marelle stood behind me. “Do you have any cookies?”
Wyatt twirled his hat between two fingers and then draped it over his shoulder. “Do you like chocolate or peanut butter?”
“Um…”
“I’ll bring you both. I’m all finished withdinner,” he said, making air quotes.
Blue dropped her napkin on her plate. “I’ll take her back to Kira’s room. Marelle, you have to stay in there. You can’t wander around without one of us.”
“I’m sorry. I like your earrings,” she said as they left the room.
Viktor steepled his fingers. “How many children were in that pack?”
I shrugged. “Blue mentioned there were a lot of girls but only a couple of women.”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Shepherd asked, the tip of his steak knife twisting against the tabletop.
Hunter grabbed his jelly beans and raced out of the room.
With that, Shepherd scooted his chair away from the table. “I’ll be back. This kid’s gotta eat.”
“Maybe some soup,” I suggested.
Gem hopped up. “I can make soup!”
Shepherd gave her a skeptical look.
Gem took off her apron and folded it over the chair. “From acan, Mr. Grumpy. I was just experimenting tonight.”
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather eat meat.”
“Alas, there wasn’t an animal carcass available in the fridge. Maybe next time I can serve you a whole hog on a spit.”
“Those are pretty good,” Wyatt remarked. “I had some in Hawaii a million moons ago.”
I turned my attention to Viktor. “I’m staying on this case. I think it’s worth our time.”
Wyatt stood up. “Well, it sounds to me like you don’t know anything.”
Christian pointed a knife at him. “Did anyone ask your opinion?”
Wyatt put his hat on. “I wasn’t talking to her. I should have known a spook-free house was too good to be true. Usually one or two wander in, but they always leave with one of you when I ignore them. This one won’t keep his mouth shut.” Wyatt made a talking motion with his hand, aimed behind him. “I’m not for hire. You’re going to have to find yourself another Gravewalker to settle your affairs, buddy boy.” Wyatt pushed in his chair. “Singing doesn’t bother me. That’s what earphones are for.”
I used to think Wyatt was divorced from reality, but now I was beginning to see the reason behind his recreational drug habit. Back when I’d first arrived at Keystone, there were apparently a lot of specters in the mansion. After they cleared out, Wyatt seemed calmer—maybe because he was getting more sleep. Whoever was haunting him was probably one of the bears we’d taken out or maybe the wolves who ran Niko and Blue off the road. In any case, they were Wyatt’s problem now.
