“Who are you?” Grace whispered.
Bobbi sighed, her breath heating and fuzzing the camera. “Long story. How about you just come out, so we don’t have to come in and get you?”
“No.” Grace panted out air.
As if on cue, a multitude of explosions ripped up the driveway. The sputter of electricity arced through the air, lighting the falling snow.
Bobbi laughed, the sound strange. “We’re coming in, Grace. I know you’re there, and I’ll tear that place apart, or maybe blow it apart, to get to you. There’s nowhere for you to hide for long. But go ahead and make this as difficult as you want. I’m okay with it.” She lifted a weapon and fired right into the camera. The screen fuzzed and went black, all sound disappearing at the same time.
Shit. Grace dropped her mug and ran toward the living room, where Faith was emerging from the other bedroom, dressed in jeans and an overlarge sweater, her hair wet around her shoulders.
“What’s happening?” Faith asked, her eyes wide. “Is Benny blowing things up again?”
“No.” Grace grabbed her sister’s arm and dragged her toward the hidden door right past the fireplace. “Bobbi’s here blowing things up.”
Faith stumbled and then righted herself. “Bobbi is here? What?”
“Yeah. She’s the bad guy.” Grace jumped up and clicked the button to open the keypad. What were the numbers? She closed her eyes, remembered Adare repeating them in his strong voice, and then reopened her eyes and typed quickly.
Three more explosions rocked the world outside.
The door opened, and Grace nudged Faith inside.
Faith partially turned. “What are you doing?”
Grace panted out air, her nervous system misfiring with fear. “They know I’m here, and they’ll burn this place to the ground to find me. They don’t know you’re here. You have to hide.”
Faith’s shoulders went back. “Oh, hell no. You come in here.” She made a grab for Grace’s arm.
Grace pushed her hard enough that Faith had to back down several steps before she could regain her balance. “I love you. Tell Adare I love him, too.” She slammed the rock door shut. Adare had said it locked from both sides, and she didn’t think anybody had told Faith the combination She waited, hovering in case she had to reason with her sister, but nothing happened. No sound came from within, either.
Considering there was no doubt Faithie was pounding on the door, the lair must’ve been nicely soundproofed. Good.
Grace turned to run into Adare’s room to find a weapon when the front door burst open, splitting into several pieces. A man stomped inside, and it took her a second to recognize him. It was Brian but not really Brian.
He was still tall and slender, but his eyes were purple and his hair long and black. His face was stark white, but his features were the same as before. Had he been wearing a wig and contacts?
Bobbi stepped up behind him, smiling. “There now. See? I told you we’d be right in.”
Grace’s knees wobbled, her mind reeling as she gaped at Brian. “Bu-but you’re a Kurjan!” She shook her head, trying to see the good-natured friend she’d thought he’d been, but instead a monster stood before her. “I don’t understand. I saw you in the sun. You spent a lot of time in the sun.”
“Yeah. Things have changed.” His fangs dropped, sharp and yellowed. “Surprise.”
Chapter 36
Adare sat on the park bench, watching the sun sparkle off the snow in every direction. A walkway stretched between his bench and a rushing river that was going so fast it hadn’t iced over completely. Not even the birds were out. The storm from down south hadn’t reached Denver yet.
He kept his body relaxed while his mind was on high alert. The place was isolated enough that it’d be a great trap.
He took his phone from his pocket and speed dialed the king.
“Dage Kayrs,” the king answered.
“Hey, King. It’s Adare O’Cearbhaill. Do you have any news on a hit out on Ronan or me?”
Dage was quiet for a moment. “No, why? Are you being shot at?”
“Negative. I’m fairly certain we just walked into a trap and was wondering if you could provide any intelligence.” He leaned down and pulled his gun from his boot.
