My heart hurt for him. I knew how it felt to lose someone you loved and to have to live centuries without them. But he had it worse. His brother died. “Did the dog frighten you at all?”
He shook his head.
I hugged his arm tighter. “Dreams have meaning, but I’ve always said that if they don’t scare you while you’re dreaming them then they should not scare you when they happen for real. And your love for my dog is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.”
He smiled at me and then frowned. “Where is he now?”
“Before I joined you up here I found him cuddled up with Albert and Chutney, but I ought to check on him.” I sighed and knots tightened in my stomach. “Though perhaps it’s time we check in with everyone else too.”
“I should think they have a plan of action, then again this is not an easy demon to defeat.” He took my hand in his and his silver wings popped out. “Either way, we have not seen the shadow demon reappear so we ought to be a part of the conversation.”
I nodded and pushed my wings out. They glittered behind my back, and not for the first time I wondered why my wings did not look like his. But it wasn’t the most pressing concern so once again I set the thought aside. “Let’s go.”
Without standing he leapt off the roof, pulling me into the air with him. Our wings flapped in sync as we slowly drifted to the stoop in front of the door. Peabo and Atley jumped off the bench with daggers in their hands.
“Oh, shoot.” Atley leapt back and lowered his weapons. “Sorry, sorry.”
“Don’t be, always be on guard.” Riah nodded his head.
Peabo groaned and plopped down on the bench. “Man, I’m not built for creepy shadow monsters. My anxiety can’t take it.”
I grinned. “Sorry we startled you. Everyone inside?”
They nodded.
“We’ve been above you on the roof. Haven’t seen anything but keep your eyes open.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Atley said with a salute.
I mimicked his salute and then followed Riah through the front door. As we walked down the hallway, I noticed it was eerily silent inside as well. All I heard was sniffling, like someone was crying. And then the hall opened up to the living room and we froze.
A single tan leather couch now sat in the middle of the room.
Four children who could not be older than Bentley sat lined up…crying.
Tegan and Tennessee stood right in front of them with their arms crossed over their chests.
I knew these kids had messed up. I knew they were the ones who accidentally summoned the shadow monster, but my heart still hurt for them. They were so little. So young. So naïve. And now they had both Coven Leaders glaring at them. The power couple were always intimidating as hell, but when angered their power radiated out of them so strong it made the hairs on my arms stand tall. Their arms were glowing like a full moon from their elbows down.
Across the room Emersyn paced in front of a wall made entirely of windows. Little orange flames danced on the tips of her long blonde hair as she stalked the room like a caged lion. Her whole body glowed. Black mist swirled around her legs, leaving a trail of dark smoke. She balled her hands in fists and flames coiled around them.
Deacon leaned against the glass wall with his arms crossed over his chest and his purple eyes latched onto his soulmate. Beside him, Royce was a darker mirror image of his cousin, but his gaze was locked on his sister a few feet over. Henley stood still staring out the window. I couldn’t see her reflection and I didn’t want to.
Olli and Albert sat at her feet with their ears perked up, watching the shadows in the yard.
Braison, Paulina, Savannah, Lennox, and Warner were all leaning against the wall to the left, just watching what was happening in front of them. On the right wall were the parents to the children on the couch. I only knew Monica Tarbell by name but I’d seen the others during the party – and the blonde couple had to be with the little blonde girl. They all looked utterly terrified with their pale faces and anxious glances. They were all fidgeting and biting their nails.
I glanced to my right and found the other Coven members in the kitchen. Bentley sat with his legs crisscrossed on top of the island. Constance was cradling her stomach like she was going to be sick and Daniel looked so nervous I worried for his health. Bettina, Timothy, and Kenneth had Tegan’s Book of Shadows open on the counter between them as they scanned pages. Jackson and Cooper were menacing statues of barely subdued rage standing near the hallway to the bedroom where it happened.
Easton stood a few feet behind Tenn, shaking his head and shifting his weight around. Lily was behind him with her hands on his back like she was keeping him calm. Willow sat on the arm of the couch next to a boy who looked similar to her. Chutney stood behind the couch at the other end.
Mona and Katherine sat on barstools glancing back and forth between the kitchen and the living room. Hunter and Devon stood beside them, the hostility in their eyes surprising me. Or maybe those were their battle faces? I didn’t know, but it was intense.
The wall moved beside me – and then I realized it was just Kessler. He glanced over to us and nodded. “All good outside?”
I nodded. “As of now.”
Tennessee glanced over his shoulder. “Peabo and Atley at the door still?”
“Ready and waiting for action,” I said while trying not to smile.
Tennessee nodded, then turned his fierce glare back to the kids.
The little blonde girl trembled and her breathing hitched. The woman I assumed was her mother rushed over and squeezed her shoulder from behind the couch.
Cooper cleared his throat. “Well, Tenn? What do we do now? We know it will come back.”
Tennessee cursed and shook his head. “I’m thinking.”
“Tegan?” Cooper held his hands out. “Find it hard to believe you don’t have an evil plan by now.”
“Oh, I have a dozen. You’ll hate them all.” Tegan half-turned toward us and her pale green eyes narrowed on Riah. “You’re ancient and you know more about this demon than we do…what would you do?”
Riah pointed to the children on the couch. “Let him take one of them. They summoned him after all.”
Everyone gasped.
The parents of the four children gasped and lunged forward like they wanted to shield them from us.
Savannah threw her head back and cackled. “I change my mind. I like him.”
“Riah.” I shook my head. I knew the fae were a twisted breed so his idea didn’t quite surprise me, but I knew it would not be received well. “Do not ask a fae what they would do for you will never like it.”
“In all fairness, he was already here. They just gave him the doorway out.” He shrugged. His eyes were not unkind. He simply told us the truth of what he would do. “I do not wish to be cold, but he will return and he will claim—”
“Yes,” Tegan whispered and pointed her black-painted finger at him. Her eyes sparkled.
The four children were sobbing hysterically now. Tears rained down their little faces.
“You know I mean no disrespect to your ruling, but that’s a big fat no from me, boss squad,” Easton growled. He pointed to the pretty little blonde on the couch. “My sister may have messed up, but she’s just a little girl.”