Mom closes her eyes, rubbing her temples. “So this man, this… Foxx guy, Jericho’s sire, is turning innocent people into vampires, then weeding through his own creations to pick out the ones he wants? By simply touching them?”
Forest nods. “That’s correct.”
“And you think… that man, or his coven, broke into my house trying to find you, to get to him?”
I reach for her hand again. “If we had any idea he would go after you, we would have told you. But everything happened so fast. Jericho has been on the run since he was turned, and he only came back to me noteven a week ago, Mom.” I shake my head. “He barely got away. He almost died. Jericho almost…” My voice breaks and I pull away, anger and fear rising up from the pit of my stomach. I came so close to losing my best friend. And it’s not even over. He might be out there right now searching for them.
Walking toward the door, I stare out, hoping beyond hope that Jericho will stroll in unharmed.
Grant is watching me closely, and from his stern expression, I know he’s hiding something. Rowen and Ivy hover on the front porch, their attention on the trees. Are they watching for something? Waiting?
Jericho seemed convinced Foxx was going to follow Mom back here. Did he talk the pack into some sort of attack?
No. Jericho wouldn’t do that without telling me. Would he? But how could he? I was knocked out from Red’s tea. Fuck!
William is standing off to the side, listening to every word. His thick arms are folded over his chest, his jaw ticking. Forest must not have told him the whole story, because he looks like he wants to join us in the hunt for Foxx. I hope he does. We need all the help we can get.
Behind me, Jasmine clears her throat. “You’ll need to stay with us for a while, Evelyn. Just until things settle down.”
“Yeah, I… I suppose so. But I don’t have any clothes.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve already made up a room for you and put some clothes on the bed. If they aren’t the right size, just let me know.”
Mom doesn’t reply.
When I turn around, I see her staring into the mug. “I know I’m only human, but if there’s anything I can do… Jericho is like a second son to me, and I know how much he means to Evan, so if I can help…”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. Mom doesn’t knowexactlywhat Jericho means to me, because I’ve only just figured that out for myself. AndI’m not sure how I’m going to tell her. I want to, though. The sooner the better. She deserves to hear it from me before she sees Jericho and I together.
Because I know I won’t be able to keep from kissing him again. Not even if I tried. It had been too good. Tooright.
“Right now, the only thing you should do is sleep,” Jasmine says. “Can I show you to your room?”
I step in. “Actually, would you mind if I do it?”
“Not at all. It’s the room just past yours.”
“Thank you.”
Before we can ascend the stairs, Rowen breaks through the front door, eyes wild. “They’re here!”
Grant jumps to his feet. “How many?”
“Three. Jericho took off after one. Ivy went after the others. Hurry!”
Forest pushes his chair back in a rush as the entire pack rushes toward the door. “Let’s go!”
I stare at them, shell-shocked. So Jericho was right. It was a trap.
“What are you—”
“Stay here, and donotgo outside!” Forest says. “That’s an order.”
I grind my teeth together. Who the fuck does he think he is? I’m not someone in his pack! He can’t—
He steps in close. “She needs you,” Forest says quietly, eyes darting toward my mom.
I hate to admit it, but he’s right. It’s my job to protect her.
