“Yeah.” I sucked in a breath and bolstered my shoulders. “I’m fine.”
“If it’s too much for you, perhaps you should wait in the car.” Of course he saw through the lie. Or rather, heard it in the rapid beating of my heart.
“It’s not.” I moved past him, avoiding eye contact as I stepped out of the room. “I just want to check out Leah’s room.”
Karson stood by the door, watching. I went to the dresser and picked up a silver ring with a little moon stone in it, holding it in my palm. I took a few deep breaths, closed my eyes, and waited for images to fill my head. It wasn’t images that landed but words.
She’s coming for them, a voice whispered in my mind.
My blood chilled. I turned to Karson, my voice hoarse. “She will come looking for the kids.”
A broody expression crossed his features. “Are you sure?”
I wasn’t sure. And yet, a sense of dread squirmed in my stomach. “Where are they? We have to find them.”
“I will call Lester.” Karson did so, then hung up. “He’s not sure, foster care somewhere. He will see what he can find out. He is just around the corner. Apparently, a neighbor called in. She saw us entering the house.”
“If she comes for them, they will need vampire protection,” Michael said from the doorway.
We moved out into the hallway. Monique held Leah’s pink jumper in her hands; she would use it to track her scent. “If we find out where they are, we can wait for her.”
“No, I don’t think that’s the best idea.” I shook my head. “What if the children see or hear something? They’ve been through enough.”
“I agree, Amelia.” Karson looked between us all. “But if we cannot find her beforehand, it might be our only option.”
Lester sauntered in with a frown on his face. “You’re slipping letting the neighbors see you.”
The only reason they entered through the front door was because of me. “Sorry, it’s my fault.”
“Right, well, no harm done. I was in the area, so I told them it was me,” Lester responded kindly, before returning his attention to the others. “Do you really think she’ll risk coming for them?”
Monique arched a brow. “Do you really think a vampire is going to let a few humans stop her, Lester?”
“I guess I can say I got inside information she’s after them.” He sighed. “But where the fuck are we going to take them?”
I looked at Karson. He read my mind.
“No way.” He shook his head. “We are not!”
“Where else?” I implored. “Do you know any vampires you could trust with them?” He clenched his jaw. “It’s only for a few nights. I can take care of them. The house is large, and I’ll keep them out from under your nose. If she comes for them, we have enough vampires to help.”
“Call me when you know,” Lester said. “In the meantime, I’ll take them to the station.”
“Where are they going to go, then?” I grabbed Karson’s arm and peered up at him. “Where else can you guarantee their safety?”
He dragged his eyes away and sighed heavily. “Where are they?”
Lester’s eyes darted between the two of us, bemused. “I never thought I’d see the day when a human could convince you to do anything.”
“Trust me, Lester, neither did we,” Monique said bitterly. She strutted out the door.
We stoodon the street outside the foster house. Karson scanned the shadows of the fast-fading light. Shepherded by a chubby brown-haired woman, Billy and Lottie walked out hand in hand, wearing pajamas, their faces pale, their eyes wide and grave. Lottie clutched a pink teddy. Lester followed behind, carrying a dirty blue overnight bag. I straightened as they reached the end of the path. They peered nervously between Karson and me.
I moved forward slowly and squatted down. “Hello. I’m Amy and that’s Karson. It’s lovely to meet you both.” Neither child spoke, they just stared like broken dolls. “That’s a pretty teddy. What’s her name?”
She dropped her head to the ground and gripped the teddy to her chest. “Ruby,” she said quietly.
“Wow. I had a teddy I loved when I was a little girl too, but she wasn’t as pretty as yours, Lottie.”
