“No unnecessary risks,” Chad told him.
It was an over-the-top precaution, but Chad insisted on Romeo traveling in the backseat in darkness.Mercutio struggled to settle in the back of the car until Romeo swung an arm over the seats to pet him on the head, then he laid down in the tightest ball he could manage.
That got a smile out of Chad and a soft look in the mirror.
“Home,” Chad said, turning onto their track road.He exhaled a slow breath.There were no cars outside, but litter, cans, and packets, were noticeable in their field.
The car bounced and juddered along, and Mercutio sat up with a whimper.
“It looks okay.”Chad said, coming to a stop.
Romeo raised an eyebrow.“What were you expecting, the place to be burned to the ground?”
Chad climbed out of the car instead of answering.He moved towards the trunk and flipped the lid for Mercutio to jump down.
It was midafternoon on a grey dreary day.
Romeo ran his gaze along the top of the outhouse as he heaved himself from the car.As far as he could tell, the raven wasn’t there.He listened, but there were no birds at all, only the whistle of wind rushing around the buildings, but regardless of the raven’s no-show, Romeo’s nape still prickled.
It was there.
It was watching.
“Maybe if you try summoning it like a demon,” Chad said.
Romeo glared his way.“You’re not funny.”
Chad patted his thigh and Mercutio glued himself to him as he strode to the front door.Romeo scanned the top of the outbuilding one last time before joining Chad and Mercutio.
They stepped inside.Chad paused as if listening until Romeo gave him an encouraging push.The hallway and the kitchen were exactly how they’d left them, but the living room curtains billowed, and glass sparkled on the rug and the top of the coffee table.
Some had even showered Mercutio’s bed.
“Shit,” Chad gasped, before ushering Mercutio into the kitchen and shutting the door.
Romeo gripped Chad’s hips.“Stay.”
“What?”
“Stay right there.”
“Why?”
“I’m going to check the upstairs in case someone is unfortunate enough to be here,” Romeo squinted.“But don’t worry, if there is someone up there, I’ll drag them downstairs and kill them in front of you so we can both enjoy it.”
“Romeo,” Chad growled in warning.
Romeo released him and rushed upstairs to check no one was in their house.
Chad was still waiting where Romeo had left him when he returned empty handed.
“Disappointed?”Chad asked.
“A little.”Romeo winked.“I know you are too.”
Chad ignored the remark.
“Come on, let’s sort the living room.”
