“We’re helping, too, right?” Sophie’s voice shook, but there was steel underneath the fear. “Trevor wouldn’t have summoned a demon on purpose. Someone must have tricked him. And we’re not going to let them get away with it.”
One by one, the others nodded. Mindy wiped her face with her sleeve and sat up straighter. Ren unclenched his fists. Ana put her arm around Sophie and pulled her close.
Zane just stared at the floor, his jaw working like he was fighting to hold himself together.
“This is the job,” I said. “But fear can get you killed, so if anyone wants to walk away now, there’ll be no judgment. No shame. You newbies aren’t trained for something like this. Not yet.”
For a moment, there was total silence. Then little Sophie stood, her chin lifted.
“I’m staying,” she said. “He would have fought for us, and I’m going to fight for him.”
“Me, too,” said Ren, then Ana, too, adding a curt, “duh,” to punctuate her statement.
One by one, they all stood until only Zane was still seated. Then he stood, too, and something in his expression made my heart ache. Such grief there. Such guilt. The look of someone who wished they could have done something, anything, to change what had happened.
“Trevor could be an ass,” he said. “But he didn’t deserve what he got. I’m staying.”
I nodded, hoping they could all see how full my heart was with pride.
I was about to dive back into instructions when one more voice chimed in. “I’m staying, too,” Eliza said from the doorway, looking breathless from hurrying. “Or, I guess, I’m coming back.” She met my eyes and shrugged. “My friend’s got a houseful of family helping her cope. After Mindy texted, I figured I should come back and help the family I have.”
I nodded, brushing away a tear, then drew a breath and looked out at all their faces.
“Here’s what happens next,” I said, my voice rough with emotion. “Everyone’s in research mode—Eric will brief you on Forza’s past interactions with Samarek and assign you specific areas to research. Combat training continues, but we’re stepping it up. And nobody—I mean nobody—goes near the basement. Not the door, not the stairs, not even that hallway. The portal is contained for now, but it’s hungry. It wants to be fed. Don’t give it the chance.”
I turned to look at Fran. “You can go, or you and Elena can stay here, and we’ll reinforce your room. Either way, Timmy stays.”
I hated saying that—I wanted to send my baby far away where he could stay safe while all this went down. But Samarek wanted to claim his own, and it was his power that had healedme all those years ago. And like a scary mob boss, he just might take my kid as payment.
Until Samarek was killed or contained, that meant that Timmy was vulnerable in the world.
“We’re staying,” she said. “This is our home now, too, and I’ll do what I can. Even if that means keeping me and the kids locked in a room so you guys can kick demon ass.”
I couldn’t help my grin. “That sounds about right.”
I gave her a hug, then took a moment to breathe, trying to get organized. That’s when I saw Stuart leaning against the wall. His eyes found mine, but I didn’t have a clue what he was thinking.
“And one more thing.” I waited until I had everyone’s attention. “Watch each other’s backs. If you see anything suspicious—anything at all—you come to Eric or me immediately. Understood?”
More nods, though these were slower. Warier. I hated putting that seed of doubt in their minds, but they needed to be careful. We all did.
“Meeting’s over. Eddie, Laura—get them started. I want to know what we’re dealing with before sunset.”
The students rose slowly, reluctantly, like they weren’t quite ready to leave the safety of the group. Mindy had her arm around Sophie. Ren and Ana walked close together, shoulders almost touching. Eliza fell into step beside them, her expression grim and protective.
Allie lingered, catching my eye with a question in her gaze. I shook my head slightly.Later.She nodded once, then let Jared guide her out of the common room, his hand steady on the small of her back.
The room emptied.
Almost.
Zane had stood with the others, had moved toward the door with them. But now he stood just inside the threshold, watchingthe last of his classmates disappear down the hall, his hands shoved deep in his pockets.
When the footsteps faded, he turned back to face us. His face was ashen.
“I need to talk to you,” he said. His voice was barely above a whisper. “Both of you. Please.”
I exchanged a glance with Eric. His shoulders rose slightly, just as clueless as I was.
