Chapter 30

The ride to the historic district was uncomfortable, at best. Paden had stubbornly climbed into the back seat with Ree, effectively cutting her off from the conversation in the front. She had ignored his attempts to get her talking and simply stared out of the window. She tuned out the others as they tried to ease the tension with chatter. She knew they were excited, but she just couldn't join them in their enthusiasm. Instead she tried to evaluate how having the power changed her perceptions of normal scenes. When she had come to the island the first time, it had been running through her, unchecked. She had felt like things were pushing on her, weighing on her mind as they passed stores and houses. Now she knew what she had experienced was, in fact, the energy of all the people in those homes and buildings. Even now she was aware of a pressure as they drove by different buildings.

Carefully, she reached for the power and was startled to see the glow of her eyes reflected in the window. While on the island, no one had really mentioned her eyes glowing. Other than a slight aversion to bright lights, they really didn't feel different so she hadn't thought about it much. She would have to ask Sophie how to keep them from doing that so she didn't attract attention from curious people. For the rest of the trip she continued to try and sense different things and to work on picking out what each spike of energy signified. When they passed a couple arguing in a minivan, there was a dark surge of power. It was an angry hum that she could almost feel radiating along her skin.

As the newer buildings were replaced with old houses and giant, moss-covered oaks, she let go of the power and simply watched the people walking through the downtown squares. Sanctus Island was beautiful, the newer sections of Savannah boasted lots of shops and restaurants, but the history of downtown had always appealed to Ree the most.

There was a new person working the front at the antique shop.  Wearing a vest and bow tie, the older man had a distinguished charm. From what Ree could tell, the couple eyeing the large, four-poster bed was eating out of his hand.

“Is he part of the, um, community?” Ree kept her voice low in case he’d find the question odd.

“We tend to refer to it as the society, and yes, he is.” Sophie closed the door to the front and sat in her desk chair. “Mr. Warren is a professor at the art college. His wife was taken by the Dark Ones six years ago. He provides information when we need it and has offered to help keep the shop running now that you have been targeted.”

“Do you ever worry that you can't trust someone in the society?” Paden kept his voice low. “You guys employ and trust a lot of people that could be moles.”

Her eyebrows drew together as Ree considered what he was saying. Could someone infiltrate their plans and expose their efforts to the bad guys?

“Oh, we do the normal things. Background checks, investigations, internet searches,” A smile crept up Sophie’s face. “The real testing, though, is done by the gods. They can see their dreams, see their secret desires and thoughts. You can't lie to a god.”

“They can see our dreams?” The rickety chair creaked as Weylin leaned forward and rubbed his palms on his jeans. “Oh man. I hope the hot redhead didn't take a peek last night.”

An orange flew across the room, aimed at Weylin's head. He caught it deftly and shot Paden an apologetic look. “Sorry, man. I know she’s your great, great-times-a-thousand grandmother. But she was hot.”

Mr. Warren stuck his white-haired head through the door and smiled apologetically to everyone. “Sorry to interrupt, Sophie. The couple up front wants to know about the pickup procedures, but I’m clueless to that part of the business.”

“Of course, Scott. I think I have that information written down in a notebook.”

With a smile and a nod he ducked back into the front and they could hear him talking the customers.

“Okay guys. When I get back, we are headed out to hunt.”  As Sophie left the back room and entered the store part of the shop, Ree heard her greet the customers in her lilting accent. There was no telling how long Sophie had lived in the States, but from the time she had spent with the immortal, Ree could tell she was playing up the accent for the sale.

The others had all headed out to the parking lot in the back. Patiently holding the door open, Paden was looking at her expectantly. Sighing to herself, Ree joined the rest of them in the cold air outside. Tugging the stylish leather jacket tighter, she decided she was more than ready for spring. It might not be snowing or below freezing, but the wind could steal your breath away.

“Are you ready, Ree?” Leaning against the wall, Roland faded into the dark brick of the shop. Light and shadows broke up the planes of his face; the sapphire of his eyes almost glowed.

“Ready as can be expected.” She sat down on one of the parking blocks. She had seen Paden’s shoulders tense out of the corner of her eye when Roland addressed her. He took up a position behind her and crossed his arms over his chest. One side of Roland's mouth jerked upwards as he watched Paden posturing behind her. She sighed in irritation and shook her head.

Pushing himself off of the wall, the Dark One sat next to her on the parking stone, his knee brushing hers. She looked at him in consideration, not sure if he was trying to be friendly or just get under Paden's skin. The corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement when he noticed her thoughtful expression. “Surely with your gifts you can tell I just wanted to sit next to a pretty girl. Of course, irritating the godling is a plus.”

“You're not amusing.” Shifting his feet, Paden leaned over Roland threateningly. Ree rolled her eyes at them both and folded her arms on her knees.

“Save it for the others, Paden.” Sophie's voice cut through the tension. “And quit baiting him, Roland.”

“Killjoy,” Roland muttered, and Sophie shot him a dark look.

“No one goes off on their own. Do not chase after any Dark Ones. Do not attack unless Roland or I give you the go-ahead. And first and foremost in everyone’s mind should be Ree's safety.” Sophie looked at each of them to make sure they were in agreement with her rules. “Our word is law. You do not argue at any point. Eventually, some of this will change, but for now there is no negotiation.” Everyone nodded. “Okay, let’s go.”

They all stared after her for a moment as she started a brisk pace. Roland hopped up and offered his hand to Ree. She smiled at him and let him pull her to a standing position. “Let’s go hunt the things that go bump in the night,” he said.

“Dang it. You can see my dreams, too?” Weylin's despondent voice broke the thrall that was holding them all. Ree laughed and walked after Sophie, the others taking up positions around her so she was ensconced as safely as possible in the middle.