We all stared at him. His gaze bounced around the room. “What’s going on?”
Karson’s jaw clenched. “Leah murdered Luken and then entered the house.”
Josh’s face paled. He spent a lot of time inside, but all the vampires were close. Sometimes I’d hear them laughing and teasing each other. “He’s dead?” he repeated as if he couldn’t comprehend what he’d just heard.
Karson poured another drink, his fingers tightening on the glass subtly as he nodded.
“And Leah?”
“Also dead.”
Josh’s eyes flew to me for confirmation. I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to; he could see the truth on my face, the guilt, and yes, grief, even though the woman would have killed me.
“The kids,” he rasped. “Are they okay?”
“They are fine, they didn’t witness any of it,” Karson answered.
Josh slumped to the couch with relief, placing his elbows on his knees and cupping his face in his hands.
Karson nudged his arm with his elbow. Josh looked up, blinking back tears with a hint of trepidation, as if he thoughtKarson would berate him for weakness. Instead, he handed him a glass of whiskey.
Josh took it gratefully, clutching it between shaking hands. “Where are the others? They must be upset.”
“I sent them away. I will deal with them later. Someone let Leah into the house, and I will find out who, one way or the other.”
Josh stiffened, and this time his voice came out strong and sure. “Not one of the vampires would have done that. It must have been someone else. Someone who has been here before. They have their … quirks, but that crew is loyal to a fault to you.”
Monique rose, walking to the window and staring out. “It has to be one of them.” Her voice came out despondent. “I didn’t pick up any new scents.”
The room stilled as the gravity of the situation hit us all, but Karson the most. I could see it in the subtle tightening of his fingers, the sharp intake of breath. But I could read him as if he spoke the words out loud—Karson was angry because he was hurting. He loved those vampires, trusted them with his life, with all our lives.
“You may not have been able to pick the scent if they cloaked themselves.” All eyes shifted to me.
“It’s possible that while the vampires were distracted, a witch came in and let Leah inside,” Michael said.
“They wouldn’t need to be distracted if she was cloaked,” Josh said. “She would walk right past them and they wouldn’t know.”
Karson’s lips thinned. “I’m not entirely convinced a witch had anything to do with this. Leah said anyone can be convinced if you say the right things.”
Michael cocked his head to the side. “You think she used blackmail?”
“Why else would anyone risk their lives to help her? And they would all know she didn’t stand a chance against me.”
“Yes, but you aren’t normally home that early,” Michael responded. “Leah or whoever let her in probably didn’t expect you to be here.”
Which meant whoever she’d bribed was fine to risk our lives. My life, Georgie’s, the children’s lives.
“Why did you come home early?” Monique asked.
A line pinched between Karson’s brows. His eyes fell to me, and in them was confusion. “I don’t know … I just …” He shook his head. “Everyone, get some rest.” He waved a hand, dismissing the conversation. “It’s going to be a long day.”
Monique placed her glass on the tray and rolled her neck until it cracked. “When hasn’t it been?”
“I might go see Georgie and the kids, if that’s alright?” Josh asked.
Karson nodded his approval. “Don’t mention Leah to them.”
Josh’s shoulders slumped, and his head bowed as he left.
