His brow furrowed. “If they get in the house, they’ll either take you or kill you. On my dying breath, I won’t have that on my conscience.”
“I’ll hide in the food cellar,” I insisted.
Atticus touched my shoulder. “I can hear a mouse scurrying outside the window. Unless the walls in here are soundproof, you can’t hide yourself from a Vampire.”
Tak wiped at the worry lines in his forehead. “We need to find out where they’re staying.”
“I can help.” Atticus circled to the front of my chair and came down on one knee, resting his arm over the other. “You have my solemn vow that I will protect you with my life. It’s wiser to leave now, before they begin charming people in town for information. They wouldn’t have fired at your truck if they’d known about you, so there’s still time. This may be your only opportunity to leave. My home is safe.”
“What if they find out where you live?”
“I will extinguish anyone’s life who attempts to come for you.”
This wasn’t my choice anymore. Atticus was trying to put me at ease, but the sole decision fell on my Packmaster.
I gave Tak a worried look. “Will you be okay?”
“I’ve battled greater foes than a couple of pipsqueak Vamps.” Tak bent over and gave Atticus a friendly pat on the shoulder. “No offense.”
Atticus winked at me and rose. “She’ll be safe, and I’ll still be able to leave her alone to help you.”
“I didn’t agree to that,” Tak said sharply.
The Vampire rolled up his sleeves. “My home is impenetrable.”
I hugged my middle as my world spun out of control again.
Tak crouched and leveled me with his dark-brown eyes. I stared at the intricate tattoo that marked half his face and teared up. He was as close to a father as I’d ever have again, and his asking me to leave resurfaced all those terrible feelings from another life.
“I want you and the baby safe,” he said. “That’s all that matters. Neither you nor Hope can shift. You can’t fight, and you can’t heal. It’s my job as your alpha to make tough choices, and you two are safer away from here. Atticus has given his word that no harm will come to you. If he betrays that vow, I will mount his head on my weather vane.” Tak rose and towered over the Vampire. “Give me your word you won’t use your Vampire magic on her—that she’ll be safe and unharmed in your care until we hunt and kill these men.”
Atticus inclined his head. “In front of these witnesses, you have my promise that I will shield Joy Lockwood from any danger. She will have all the comforts of home and the medical care she requires.”
The door burst open. Melody’s pink hair was askew—tangled strands stuck to her sweaty face, leaves clinging to her sleeves.
Panting and out of breath, she marched into the room like a soldier. “We have a situation. I kind of shot Kevin?—”
“YoushotKevin?” Tak stared up at the ceiling and muttered something quietly.
“Yeah, but that’s not the problem.” After a gulp of air, she dropped a bomb. “The town is under siege.”
Chapter 11
Because Joy was under enough stress, Atticus insisted that she leave the room to pack. She had been shot at, involved in a high-speed chase, and forced to cradle a wounded packmate in her arms. With the added news about the town under siege, Atticus was sensitive to the maelstrom of emotions she must have been dealing with, especially since she was about to leave her home.
In recent years, Atticus had adjusted to his normal, stable life. But now darkness gathered in him like an imminent storm.
After Joy made her exit, Melody had a chance to catch her breath. Atticus had known the little miss since she was a rambunctious teenager. Her daredevil nature had prepared her for life, and it was pleasing to see what a strong woman she had become.
“We should move to another room.” Atticus eyed the windows. The inside lights were casting reflections and played tricks on his vision. “Do you have a private room without windows?”
Tak shook his head. “You would hear my pack barking if there were intruders.”
“Unless your pack is dead.”
Melody punched Atticus in the arm. “Don’t say stuff like that. I swear to the fates…”
Lucian hung out in the doorway for a minute before joining them. “Even if the packwasdead, Vampires can’t get past my security lights. When activated, they illuminate the house. Not even a Vampire can bypass motion-activated security.” He ran his hand over his bristly scalp and flicked his golden gaze at Atticus.
