She picked up her phone, and seeing it was only seven-thirty, much too early for her parents to be back, Fallon chalked it up to a next-door neighbor and tossed her phone on the coffee table. She kicked back again and was about to return to Michelangelo when she heard another car door slam, and it sounded like whoever it was, was parked directly in front of her house. Fallon set her book aside, and flicking off the light on the end table, she parted the drapes just a smidge to take a look. The nearest street lamp was a few houses away, but Fallon didn’t need any light…for the four pairs of eyes flaming blue stood out like neon in the night.

***

In a split second, Bennett’s heart went from being in her chest to being on the floor, and it was all she could do to gather her wits. She drew in the slowest of breaths and tried her best to keep her tone clear and soft. “What do you mean by my friends?”

“Vampires,” Fallon said, peeking through the drapes again. “Because a van load of them just stopped in front of my house.”

“Are you sure they’re vampires?”

Ruby sat straighter, her grip on the steering wheel tightening when she heard Bennett’s question.

“Oh yeah. There’s no mistaking those eyes,” Fallon said. “They’re as blue as yours were the night you saved us.”

“Put your parents on the phone right now,” Bennett said, her backbone now rigid.

“They’re not home. It’s date night. They went to Giuseppe’s for dinner.”

“Christ,” Bennett said, running her fingers through her hair. “Okay. Where are your brothers and sister?”

“Kenna is upstairs, moaning because she has cramps and the boys are in Liam’s room playing video games. Why?”

“I need you to gather them up and get everyone into the safe room.”

“But why?” Fallon said, sitting up. “What’s going on?”

Bennett closed her eyes for a second. Her mind was racing, and her heart was quickly following suit. She pulled in another deep breath and pushed thoughts of Lisa from her mind. “Fallon, sweetheart, are you still thinking about becoming one of my guardians in the future?”

“Yeah. Absolutely.”

“All right, then I need you to assume that role right now. I need you to step up, be an adult, and do exactly what I say without any further questions. Can you do that?”

Fallon got to her feet. “Yes.”

“Good. Now, get everyone into the safe room, bolt the door, and do not open it until I am standing right in front of it. Do you understand?”

“Yes, but what about Mom and—”

“Fallon, I promise you. Nothing will happen to them. Now, do as I say. Text me when you’re all safe in the room, and I’ll call you back as soon as I can.”