“Is that true? Do you think it’s security’s fault you came out here after curfew?” I ask the kids.
“She—” a boy starts but then cuts his gaze to Letty. “No, we knew we were breaking the rules,” he finishes, and I know that wasn’t what he was going to say.
Quinn slowly walks over, stopping when she’s between Griff and me. “It got pretty chilly last night. Did you guys stay here all night?” Coming from her, the question seems more like she’s showing concern than probing about their whereabouts.
“We were right near the school mostly,” a boy tells her.
“Hey, Caleb,” Quinn addresses the kid who answered her. I never thought to ask her if any of the names on the list were familiar to her. I can’t even remember if she saw it.
“Hi, Qui—Ms. Shaw,” he amends, keeping his eyes on the ground.
Griff reaches for Quinn’s hand, it’s like it’s become second nature to him, which is funny considering I’d be willing to bet he’s never held another woman’s hand before. Hell, he’d probably carry her around in his pocket if he could manage it.
“What do you want me to do with them?” Letty interjects, bringing herself back into the forefront of the tableau.
I look over at Griff, but he’s eyeing the kid Quinn addressed by name. “I still haven’t decided.” I watch his arm jerk a little as Quinn tugs on it.
“How about we put them in the containment rooms until we decide?” I suggest. I’ll ensure no one will let them out until we allow it. Griff’s arm pulls again, I think Quinn is trying to ask him to permit it.
“Go retrieve a vehicle to transport these children back to the manor,” Griff orders without looking at Letty, but it’s clear who he’s talking to. She pulls her phone out of her pocket, preparing to make a call.
“I said go.” Griffin doesn’t raise his voice, but his tone is hard, and so is the glare he sends in Letty’s direction. She looks at the kids, then at Griff, before jogging out of the hangar.
Quinn
If I had to guess, I would say Letty was reluctant to leave us here with the kids. I glance over the group again. I’ve had meetings with two of them—Caleb, who seemed like a good kid, and Angela. She didn’t seem happy that I scheduled a meeting with her, but she appeared to warm up once she realized I only wanted to talk and help if I could.
“I bet you guys are pretty hungry, you missed breakfast.” None of them respond. “I’m glad you’re all okay. Everyone was really worried.” Caleb looks up, but he only meets my eyes for a second before he glances at the other kids, as if he’s checking to see if they are watching him.
“The first person who tells me what really happened gets the least punishment.” Evan’s arms are crossed over his chest. He looks like a fricking mountain compared to the kids. His jaw is tight, and his lips are turned down in a heavy scowl. His statement gets a few more of the kids’ attention.
“Are you really going to kick us out?” a girl asks hesitantly.
“We don’t want to. The whole fucking reason this school exists is to help kids, not turn them out on the streets, but there are plenty of other kids who want to be here. Who won’t take this opportunity for granted.” Evan doesn’t outright say they will kick them out, but he doesn’t say he won’t either.
“I’ll tell you,” Caleb blurts with his eyes locked on me, which I find a little surprising. I’m not the one asking the questions.
“Caleb!” a boy snaps.
“Look, man, I can’t go back to where I came from.”
“Start talking, Caleb.” Evan eyes the boy who spoke against Caleb, warning him to keep his mouth shut with just a look.
“It was a trap.” Caleb licks his lips nervously.
“A trap?” Evan repeats disbelievingly. “You think someone wanted you to get caught outside?” I tug his arm down from over his chest so he doesn’t look quite so intimidating.
“I don’t think he’s talking about that kind of trap,” I offer, looking over at Caleb to make sure I’m not misunderstanding him. He gives me a slight dip of his chin to confirm I’m right.
“They were looking to score,” I clarify.
“Score what?” Evan inquires, his frustration mounting with every second.
“You guys really are old,” I mutter under my breath. “Drugs?” I add a little louder, but I’m not convinced it’s drugs we’re talking about here. It might be the blood Griffin and Evan suspect someone is giving the unblooded vampires.
“We didn’t get anything,” Caleb says in a rush. “They never showed up, and when we tried to get back into the building, the door was locked. We were hoping to sneak back into the dorms before school started.”
“How did you end up way out here?” I look around the hangar.
