We reached our destination, and I held a hand out as Falcon and I hid in the shadows. I wanted to see if anybody was lingering. After a few minutes, I nodded, and we slipped through the gate and checked the area. Not seeing anyone, I picked up the box that had been left, and Falcon and I walked back onto our land, closing the gates.
“What is it?” Falcon asked.
“Give me a moment,” I replied, rolling my eyes. Damn impatient asshole. I pulled my knife, cut the tape, and stepped away as the smell wafted out. I placed it on the floor and, using the blade, flicked the flaps open.
“Is that?” Falcon broke off as I stared in horror at a black glossy crow with a dagger stabbed through it.
I took off running towards my house. My bad leg slowed me down, but I was giving it everything I could.
“Calamity?” Falcon asked as he caught up.
“The women! That was Peter!” I gasped, and Falcon raced off. I yanked my phone as I ran and hit Texas’s number.
“Yo.”
“Get the brothers up and lock the clubhouse down, now,” I ordered and cut the line. Texas wouldn’t hang about and would do as commanded.
A glow lit up the darkness in the distance, and I knew they were my house lights. I kept hurrying towards them, running as fast as I could with my limp. I burst into the foyer of my home, and Rosie threw herself into my arms. Chest heaving, I hauled her close.
“The old ladies are still asleep. Keep the noise down,” Rosie whispered.
“Okay.” I spotted Falcon appear over her shoulder.
“The house is secure,” he stated.
“What’s going on?” Rosie asked, and my pounding heart calmed as I saw her safe and unharmed. A pang of grief shot through me.
“Babe.” I broke off, unsure how to tell her Peter had been murdered.
“Calam?” Rosie looked scared.
“Peter, someone killed him,” I murmured gently, and Rosie shook her head.
“They can’t have done. The fur babies are below. If they got Peter, then they came through our house,” she whispered and paled.
I headed for the basement door and opened it. Rosie flipped the light on, and I caught sight of the pets. Layla and Henrikstood at attention on seeing me. As my eyes adjusted, I saw Empress curled up with Merlin and Arthur. Wolfie popped his head up from where he was sleeping with Jester, who daintily yawned.
Harold and Terence were in a corner, looking disgruntled at being disturbed. Terence even poked his head out of his shell and hissed at me. Dawn and Fanny were also in a puffy bed and curled up together. My heart began pounding as I scanned the area and didn’t see either Precious or Peter. No, not both of them! Rosie would be devastated.
“Turn that damn light off!” Peter cackled from behind me, and I jumped. There, under the stairs, shining like a ghost, was Precious, and judging by the glowing eyes, Peter was with her.
“Thank fuck!” I gasped.
“See, they’re safe,” Rosie said as Precious flapped her wings and floated to Rosie’s shoulder.
“Mom,” Precious stated, rubbing her beak against Rosie’s cheek.
“Sweet girl,” Rosie murmured, giving her a scratch.
“Bed!” Peter screeched, and Precious left Rosie and flew back under the stairs, where she began scolding Peter.
Rosie and I headed upstairs and rejoined Falcon in the kitchen. “It wasn’t Peter.”
“Good,” he responded. “That means the house is secure, but I’ve checked all windows and doors. Everything is locked up. I couldn’t see signs of a breach or anyone attempting one.”
“Can’t believe we need to install security on the houses; this was a new start for us,” I growled out.
“Calam, what is going on?” Rosie demanded.
