Page 88 of Eternal Devotion

“Why’s the basement door broken?” the thick-necked man asked.

“Probably using the cellar for their lair. Christ, what if they’re down there now?”

“Vamps don’t have to break a door, you idiot.”

“I don’t fucking know. Maybe it’s been broken for years. They’re obviously using this place as their hideout, and it gives me the creeps.”

“We don’t know that the guy we saw outside is a vamp. What if he’s a squatter?” Lou again. He would be the hardest to shake.

“Squatters wouldn’t have Jeeps.”

“Vamps wouldn’t either, dumb-dumb. Pull your shit together.”

“Where is he, then? If he’s human, why isn’t he answering us?”

“Probably scared. Let’s check the basement quick and—”

“Fuck that. You want to take that risk, be my guest. But if that guy’s a vamp and there are two of them, the last place we want to go is the fucking basement. It’s a trap. I’m leaving. If you want to search this place, do it in the morning.”

The steady tick of the grandfather clock in the parlor was the only sound for a long time before Lou spoke, calmer and quieter. “Fine, we’ll come back in the morning.”

I waited for the sound of footsteps, formulating a plan in case they were communicating with hand gestures and doing the opposite of what they claimed. After several long seconds, the thump of boots on hardwood marked their retreat.

For a time, I heard the rustle of their escape into the forest, but it ended abruptly—too abruptly—and I had a sickening feeling they hadn’t gone far.

When the only sound that remained was the ticking clock, I backtracked to find Ensley, who I suspected had a million questions and would not be as easily subdued.

The mansion was no longer safe, and I couldn’t be sure the men weren’t outside, lying in wait to see if Ensley exited at some point.

“We need to leave,” I said, urging him to the main level. I refused to allow him to turn on a light, so he moved slowly and cautiously, despite gripping my arm.

“Who were they? Are they the guys who messed you up last night?”

“I’ll explain later. I need you to stay close and do exactly as I say.”

Resting had replenished my strength to a point, but I wasn’t at peak performance and needed all my faculties to enact a plan. At the front door, I crouched and pressed a palm to the wooden planks. Closing my eyes, I reached for a sub-audible frequency and sent vibrations into the earth.

Ensley shuffled, his breathing fast and uneven. “What are you doing?”

“Quiet, Ensley. I need to concentrate.”

Satisfied, I rose and faced him. “We’re leaving behind the Jeep, and we aren’t following the road. Do not let go of my hand and try to keep up. We’ll move as fast as you can handle.”

“Are they outside?”

“Yes, but soon they’ll have a distraction.”

“What does that mean?”

I didn’t need to explain as a distant, frantic howl pierced the night, then another, and another, followed by a chorus of sharp yips.

Ensley’s eyes widened as he cocked an ear. “Is that—”

“Coyotes. A pack of them. Once they’re in the area, we’re leaving.”

“Coyotes? Will they attack us?”

“No. They’re under my command.”