“Oh, hell no,” Cara muttered, planting her hands on her hips. Both she and Maggie knew how to fight. “Garrett Talen Kayrs—”
“The demon?” Garrett asked Logan, visibly scanning the area.
Logan shook his head. “It’s muted . . . but I know one is around here. I mean, one besides me.”
Garrett glanced over his shoulder. Even though he was two steps down from Cara, his eyes were level with hers. “Mom? Do you mind going inside? Please?”
Her face heated until the tips of her ears burned. “Yes, I do actually mind. I’m trained, and I’m yourmother. That meansIprotectyou.” She stomped down the steps but then had to tilt back her head to glare at him.
He shuffled his feet.
Cara turned on his friend. “Logan Henry Kyllwood? Why are you angling your body between me and the forest?”
Logan looked over her head at Garrett, a definiteplease helpexpression in his eyes.
Garrett grasped her arm. “Mom, I’m really sorry, but, well, you know. You’re not a vampire.”
“Or a demon,” Logan whispered.
Maggie tripped down the steps. “I’m a wolf.”
Garrett cleared his throat. “Yes, ma’am.” Even so, he turned just enough to block both women from the unguarded tree line.
Cara rolled her eyes. “You two are unbelievable.”
Two girls wandered out from around the lodge, both with long hair and short skirts. They stopped cold and then smiled.
Garrett frowned. “Where the hell is that demon, Logan?” he muttered.
Logan drew in a breath. “I’m not sure.”
One of the girls bounced closer. “Did you say ‘demon’? You mean, the ones they have in the cells?”
“Cells?” Garrett asked, remaining ridiculously close to his mother.
“Yeah. The demons that chased Mrs. Kayrs are in the cells being, ah, questioned right now.” The girl closest to them smiled. “I’m Shannon, and this is Andrea.”
“Hi,” Andrea said, her eyes sparkling.
“Well, hello.” Logan slid toward the girls, obviously no longer worried about a demon attack.
“Oh, hell no,” Terrent Vilks bellowed, emerging from the trees.
Logan sighed.
Cara caught sight of Talen right behind the wolf, and she took a quick inventory. No blood. Whatever questioning had occurred apparently hadn’t taken much of a fight. “Did they say who wanted the samples?”
“Kind of.” Talen reached them and clasped his son in a hug. Then, for good measure, he hugged Logan, too. “Thanks for coming.”
“Sure.” Garrett smiled and shifted so that Talen was between him and Cara. “Mom’s glad we’re here.”
Logan nodded solemnly.
Cara shook her head. “I’m really glad you boys are here, but you have to lay off the caveman-protectiveness crap. I have enough to deal with right now with your dad.”
Garrett dipped his head toward the girls. “I’m Garrett.” He flashed a dimple.
Andrea chuckled.
