“Will there be a Remembrance for them?” Ivy asks.
“Yes. Bronson is still going to host one, and he says we’re all invited.”
Suddenly, I ache with longing. It hurts to know I’ll never see my friend again. But at least we can celebrate him.
A Remembrance is the best time to say goodbye to a shifter. Though their body is buried immediately, the ceremony is put off until the next full moon, when everyone shifts to run with their spirit under moonlight one last time.
“The full moon isn’t for a few more days, so everyone should be healed by then. I want all of us to go.”
“What about Tobias?” I ask.
He hesitates. “We may need someone to stay with him.”
Jasmine clears her throat. “Jericho and Evan can. They should be back tonight. These events are more for shifters, anyway.”
“Wait, they’re coming home tonight?” Ivy and Forest ask at the same time.
“He texted me a little while ago. They’re leaving in a few hours.”
Everyone relaxes.
“That’s great news!” my sister says.
Forest nods. “If Jericho wants to stay with Tobias while we go honor Justice, that would be fine, but Bronson invited him. He tried saving his son’s life after all.”
“Are you kidding?” I say coldly. “Tobias won’t want to be anywhere near Jericho.”
“We don’t know that.”
“We do, actually. He freaked out hearing we were working with vampires.”
Forest presses his lips together. “I see. We’ll figure something else out then.”
“Alpha, might I suggest that Sage and Neal stay in Prodigy until Jer and Evan leave? They can follow them back. Be an extra set of eyes,” Taren says.
“Sure. Kaine and Willow are at the hospital too. They’re planning to follow behind as well.”
“Kaine?” Grant stiffens. “No. I don’t want that vamp anywhere near here.”
Forest leans forward. “I second that, but unless those vampires do something to break my trust—”
“Like killing Evan, you mean?” Grant snarls. “Kaine nearly strangled him!”
“I know,” Forest says calmly. “And then he saved Evan’s life.” The alpha looks at each of us. “Look, whatever your feelings are regarding the other vampires, I suggest you work through them—and fast. We’re going to need them before this is through.”
“You’re not letting them stay here, are you?”
Forest hesitates. “I don’t think so. But I think we should expect them to be around more.”
Grant growls under his breath before leaving the room.
The air in the room changes, full of uncertainty. I pull a book closer to me, then turn to Taren. “So, about the mark. What should I be looking for?”
5
TOBIAS
Ijump when a knock comes to the open bedroom door.
