“I’ve never met you.”
Declan turned his attention to the other members of the family. He didn’t think Gretchen was going to reemerge tonight, but he’d change her memories of them too as soon as these things were gone. And if she decided now was a good time to stop being an asshole, he’d stop her before she came downstairs.
“None of you have seen us,” he said to the others.
They all stared at him before nodding. He looked at Willow when boots thudded against the porch. He sensed her trepidation, but her stance was prepared for battle as she held a stake in her hand, and fire shone in her eyes.
He waved her back toward the stairs as the doorbell rang. “Answer that,” he said to Gus before rising and returning to Willow.
Declan clasped her elbow, and they retreated up the stairs as a heavy fist landed against the door, rattling it in its frame.
“I’m coming,” Gus called as he rose from the chair and hurried to the door.
He unlocked the door as they arrived at the top of the stairs and moved into the shadows. Declan removed a stake and nudged Willow further back as the door opened. The scent of rot filled the house as soon as Gus opened the door.
“Can I help you?” Gus asked.
“I’m looking for a man and a woman,” the Savage said gruffly. “Have you seen anyone you don’t recognize around here?”
“No, no one,” Gus said.
“Has anyone in your family seen someone?”
Gus stepped a little away from the door as he turned to his family. “Have you seen anyone?”
Willow’s heart raced, and her mouth went dry. It was so close. If she moved a foot to her right, she’d probably be able to see it through the crack in the door. And it would see her.
It wasn’t carrying a scythe or wearing black robes, but Death had come knocking on Gus’s door. Death was here to claim them all, and if this went wrong, it would succeed.
From somewhere in the house, the seconds ticked away on a clock. She swore minutes passed as time crawled to an agonizing pace, but only five clicks went by before someone responded.
“No, I’m sorry,” Cheryl said.
“Haven’t seen anyone,” Junior replied.
“Why are you looking for them?” Cheryl asked.
“They’re dangerous,” the Savage replied. “If you do see someone, we recommend not approaching them. Call the police immediately.”
The family exchanged an uneasy look before focusing on the Savage again. “Are you working with the police?” Gus asked.
“Yes,” he replied in a crisp tone that made Willow bristle. She recognized when a Savage was losing patience.
“We’ll call if we see anything unusual,” Gus said.
“Good.”
Its boots were louder as it turned and stomped down the stairs. Gus closed and locked the door. “Should we have asked Gretchen if she’s seen anything?” Cheryl asked.
“Do you want to go up there and interrupt whatever she’s doing?” Junior asked.
Cheryl’s shoulders slumped. “No, I don’t.”
“Stay here,” Declan said to Willow before descending the stairs again. Gus did a doubletake when he spotted him, but Declan started speaking before someone could scream. “It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.”
They all visibly relaxed as their eyes became glassy. He hated the vacant look in their eyes, but if they were all going to make it through this, then this had to be done.
“If they come back, tell them the same thing,” he told them.
