Ronan leaned in. “Oh. Bite marks. Deep and old. That’s a mating mark.” His voice rose in surprise, and he leaned back. “I can’t believe it.”

The woman was a Kurjan mate. And Adare hadn’t had a clue. He hadn’t focused on the female that day, and he hadn’t gotten any sort of tingle or vibe from her that she was mated. Yet the mark looked very old, so the evidence should have been there. “I’ve never met a Kurjan mate, have you?”

“No,” Ronan breathed. “Whose toddler do you think that is? She’s female, so she’s not Kurjan.” The Kurjans only had males, just like vampires.

“Maybe Bobbi’s?” Adare shook his head. “I know she was human, and by the time I showed up at the restaurant, Brian was gone. I never imagined he could be a Kurjan, because of the sun. But could he have been? That would explain why he left before I got to the restaurant. I would’ve sensed him.”

Ronan nodded. “I guess it makes sense that they’d try to use Grace to lead them to other Keys before taking her. The Kurjans of old wouldn’t have played such games. They weren’t strategic enough.” Ronan had been gone from this world for centuries, so he was still catching up.

“They changed and evolved,” Adare said grimly. Obviously they’d changed more than even he had realized, considering they were no longer burned by the sun. It was a situation he never thought he’d see. The Realm’s advantage in battle situations had just disintegrated faster than the ability to teleport had. “Our lives just became even more dangerous, if that’s possible.”

He’d never once been afraid of giving up his life for the cause. But he wouldn’t give up Grace. Never. He had to find her. She had to be okay. New energy, wild and angry, teemed through his blood, strengthening him.

The sound of vehicles pulling up outside had his head snapping up. He drew his knife and stalked through his doorway and the living room to the porch.

Males jumped out of several vehicles. Quade Kayrs, Ivar Kjeidsen, Logan Kyllwood, and Garrett Kayrs. All wearing winter combat gear and fully loaded with weapons, their expressions determined and strong, their gazes on him. There was understanding and an indescribable loyalty glimmering in their eyes.

His brothers.

The full contingent of the Seven, minus Benny, whom they’d find soon.

He rocked back on his heels as if he’d been punched. Emotions broke free like a torrent from a cracked dam, flooding him.