Kit lowered the gun. “I know how to use it.” Her green gaze narrowed on Claire. “And I know who to use it on.”

“Kit,” he growled in warning.

“No, Gid,” she snapped. Facing Claire, she demanded, “What the hell are you doing? Besides putting my brother at risk? Take some responsibility. If you care at all for my brother, you will end this before he gets hurt.”

“Kit, that’s enough,” Gideon barked.

Claire stared at the young woman’s face, feeling the truth of her words like a razor blade to her flesh.

“This is why I was late getting to you,” he explained, waving a hand at his sister. “She showed up and wouldn’t leave. She wants to hunt lycans,” he quickly explained.

“And he won’t let me because I’m a woman,” Kit retorted. “Have you ever heard of such crap—”

“Because you’re too young,” Gideon insisted.

“I’m twenty-four! Not some teenager.” Kit waved her gun in a small circle, sending Gideon and Claire ducking.

“Give me that thing.” Gideon snatched the gun from her hand.

Claire shook her head, wondering how she ended up in the middle of a sibling squabble.

Gideon tossed a wary look over his shoulder, no doubt still worried about Darius. He pointed to a Cyber Green Volkswagen bug parked next to the Jeep and growled, “Get in your car and go home, Kit. I don’t want to worry about you for at least another twenty-four hours.”

She scuffed her shoe on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dirt. “Don’t forget your promise to me.”

“I won’t forget. I’m just not going to do anything about it tonight. It’s not safe. Now get out of here.”

Apparently satisfied with whatever promise Gideon had given, Kit ducked inside her car. Claire followed suit and climbed inside Gideon’s Jeep.

Another night with no leads. No information. No closer.

Gideon slid in beside her. She glanced at the rigid lines of his profile. Her heart ached with the need to touch him. She smoothed her hands over her jeans to keep from reaching out. He didn’t want her touch. Didn’t want closeness from her of any kind. Moonlight spilled through the windshield, gilding the hair at his brow a silvery blond. Her gaze followed the light to its source, to the ticking time bomb in the sky. There is no other choice. You are one of us. You can’t undo it.

The small flame of hope that she nurtured deep in her heart sputtered out.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Like humans, dogs may suffer bouts of depression.

—Man’s Best Friend: An Essential Guide to Dogs