The alpha paused, as though sifting the words for deeper meaning. Brow still tight, he turned and headed for the deepest shadows. Sooner than I expected, a new voice lifted the joyous chorus. That fast the alpha had shifted and picked up the scent.

Tracking the movement of the pack was simple. How Bessemer expected to catch a fae while making so much racket was beyond me. Once the stragglers had moved on, Isaac dropped his arm and rubbed his face vigorously.

The glimmer of hope that had risen in me when the possibility of confronting Harlow on land was a thing I could wake to and enact vanished in a cold rush of reality.

Back to Plan A.

“I need to grab something from my place.” I would just have to hope it worked on humans and fae. “Then we have to get to the lake without being torn apart by wargs.”

“Sounds doable.” He backed toward his trailer. “Let me grab some gear, and I’ll meet you back here.”

“What about me?” Aunt Dot glanced between us. “What can I do?”

“Stay put,” we said together.

“Someone has to take care of Dell.” Isaac hugged his mom one-armed. “You have to keep her here. She’s been cast out, and that means anyone in her pack can attack her without provocation or retribution.”

“He’s right.” I squeezed her shoulder. “We need you to take care of her and keep our wards up. When we get Harlow back—” please let us get her back, “—we need things here at full power to keep out the wargs.”

“You mentioned witches.” Aunt Dot frowned. “If they’re any good, they could dismantle the wards given enough time.”

“They’re good.” Dell wobbled down the steps from Isaac’s trailer wearing one of his dress shirts. “The best.”

“Then we can’t stay here.” Aunt Dot shrugged off Isaac and went to steady Dell. She led her to the chairs and set her down gently. “Theo is in Orlando. We can always head there.”

Normally, I would balk at the suggestion, but after tonight, Aunt Dot would want to mother hen all her chicks. “Okay.” I tried not to grimace. “That sounds good.”

“We can handle this.” Dell’s voice sounded pancake-flat. “You get the girl.”

“You’re coming with us to Florida.” Isaac left no room for argument. “Put your things in my trailer.”

This morning that would have jolted her awake. Now he might have been commenting on the weather instead of asking her to move in with him, even temporarily.

“Dell…” Unsure what to do, what to say to make this better, I rocked my weight from foot to foot. I had to go, but I couldn’t leave her this way. “These people are your family.”

“Not anymore.” Tears overflowed her cheeks. “This hasn’t felt like home in a long time anyway.”