She pulled her cell phone from her jacket pocket and shoved at me. “Then come back and take care of him, Lil. We are going home. This…” she looked around and shook her head. “We didn’t sign up for this. I want out.”
I should have seen that coming. Despite the fear of what was to come, namely meeting my father and negotiating Kim’s release, it annoyed me that she was bailing out on me. “Okay.”
I took the phone to Sykes. Bran had taken over where Remy had left off and was issuing orders. It was amazing how well they worked as co-leaders.
“Lucien, you’ll go with the Specials and keep an eye on them until we return. The rest of you,” Bran nodded at Izzy, Solaris, and Lunaris. “Reassure the children. They’re scared.”
“Just because we are women doesn’t necessarily mean we’re better equipped to deal with the children,” Solaris grumbled.
“Then don’t do anything until we get to Detroit, Solaris,” Bran said without any hint of anger. Then he nodded at Aurora. “Gather the women. I need to talk to them.”
Everyone got busy, even Solaris. I made my way back to Kylie’s side.
She stared at me with sad eyes. “I know you are not going to like this, Lil. I thought I could be in your world, help even, but tonight I learned I’m not ready for this. I want us to stay friends, but you must ask your grandfather to erase everything I know about you and your world.”
Things would never be the same between us. Not for me. “And your abilities?”
She was silent for a long time, and I was sure she wouldn’t answer. “If I’m meant to be a medium, I’ll tap into my powers again.”
“Could you do us one last favor?” I explained about the buses Remy and Esras had gone to get, and needing drivers. “Remy said he’ll park your truck by the bus depot, so you can pick it up when you return the buses.”
She blew out a breath. “Okay. But what if we get busted?”
“We’ll bail you out, expunge your records, and erase the cops’ memories.”
“You can do all that?” Cade mumbled in awe.
I looked down. When had he regained consciousness?
“You’re okay,” Kylie said, touching his face, then she helped him to his feet.
Cade looked around. “Who are these people? And don’t tell me Gypsies. I regained consciousness earlier in the cave and saw those children create balls of light out of thin air. They did something to me again and knocked me out. Again.”
“Energy balls,” Kylie corrected him, then stared at me with saucer eyes. “What are you going to do?”
I had no idea. Telling her the truth about us had been necessary because she was a medium. Cade was just your average teenager with an active imagination and a truckload of curiosity.
“Tell him what he needs to know for now,” Bran said from behind me. “Remy and Esras are bringing two buses, which means we’ll need both of you. Lucien is not used to dealing with humans and will need your help too.”
“Humans?” Cade asked with a weird inflection in his voice.
“Yes, humans,” Bran said impatiently. “Lil, you want to explain?”
I shook my head. Once was enough. Despite understanding Kylie’s reasons for bailing out on me now, I was hurt and disappointed in her.
Cade nodded. “What is a Nosferatu?”
“Vampires,” I explained, then glared at Bran. “Don’t.”
“No, he needs to understand why keeping our secret is important and the consequences if he doesn’t. We are Guardians, Cade. Half-angel and half-human. We have been called different names by humans, been worshipped and revered. The evil branch of our family is what you guys call demons. We are the good guys. They are the bad guys. They want to take over the world and be worshipped again. We couldn’t give a rat’s ass about such things, so we hunt them down. Some kidnapped Kim and we are going to get her back. Questions?”
Cade shook his head, but I’d never seen a man so scared. I gave Bran’s hand a squeeze. Valafar’s return had him more rattled than it had me.
“Good. The rest isn’t important,” Bran said then focused his attention on Kylie. For one brief moment, I thought he was going to be mean to her too. Instead, he exhaled and said, “You have been a true friend to Lil this past year, Kylie, and an ally to all of us. For that, we’ll always be grateful. You want out, it’s your choice and Cardinal Falcon will see that you get your wish. In the meantime, do you think you could help Lucien when you get to the hotel?”
Kylie nodded. “Sure.”
“Thank you. Sykes will give you the name of the hotel and the group’s reservation number. You and Lucien will stay with the Specials and their parents until we get back.” Bran glanced at his watch, then his glance volleyed between Kylie and Cade. “If we are not back by morning, keep an eye on the Specials while Lucien goes to the enclave to talk to Lil’s grandfather.”
Kylie gave him a wobbly smile. “Okay.”
“I’ll check on the others.” Bran squeezed my hand, then walked away.
“I’ve never seen him so…intense,” Kylie said.
“Did he mean what hejust said?” Cade whispered. “About making me kill myself and the vampires?”
“Every word,” Kylie said, sounding a little shaken too. “They don’t hurt humans.”
“Thanks, guys.” I gripped their hands. “I’ll talk to Grampa about the memory thing.”
Kylie nodded. “Later. Right now focus on finding Kim. I hope she’s okay.”
“Me too,” I said. “My father should know better than to kidnap a Guardian.”
Kylie blinked. “Oh, Lil.”
I gave her a tiny smile and walked away.
“Her father?” I heard Cade ask.
I joined the others just as Esras and Remy pulled up with the buses. We got busy helping the children into their seats. The last to go in were Daryl and his mother, who had her arm on the skinny boy’s shoulder. Angelia was already inside the bus, her face pressed against the window as she stared at us. Her anger had lessened but she still couldn’t look at me without glowering. I wished there was something I could do or say to make her happy. I tried to catch her eye, but she stuck her chin in the air and ignored me.
“She’ll come around,” Daryl said from beside me. “Bran explained to her and she understands, but…” he shrugged.
She felt I had betrayed her by not telling her myself. Sighing, I smiled at Aurora, Daryl’s mother. “We will be back before dawn, but if you need anything—”
“Lucien and your two human friends will help,” she finished. “Cardinal Bran told us. We have credit cards and some money with us, so don’t worry. You go and rescue your friend.” She cupped my face, surprising me. I had thought she would hate us for refusing to give them sanctuary. “Thank you for rescuing our son from Coronis Isle.”
Daryl rolled his eyes. “Come on, Mom.”
Within minutes, the buses pulled out. No one spoke until they were out of sight. We left the SUV in the parking lot and trekked up to the cave. Despite being a local attraction, the inside was dark and dingy. Sykes created energy balls so we could see clearly. Solaris and Lunaris added more.
“Did you guys bring weapons?” Bran asked, his gaze moving from Esras to Solaris and Lunaris.
“Just the usual,” Esras said, pulling a dagger from his boot. Solaris removed a whip. The tip was split into two with jadeite metal tips. Lunaris had a set of knives.
We changed, piling our regular clothes and shoes in the satchel Remy had carried. Then we slipped
