“Some humans tried to invade the Courtyard,” Tess said. “The Elders killed them. I couldn’t see what was done, but the police should be prepared for something bad.”

“How many bodies?”

“Six.”

“There will be more,” Simon said, then added, “but not so many.” Because Meg, the not-Wolf, had amused some of the Elders.

“If you have no objections, I’d like the families of police officers to remain here a while longer,” Montgomery said. “The fewer people on the streets, the better.”

“The Denbys will want to go across the street and check on the house.” Vlad went to the windows that looked out on Crowfield Avenue and the buildings the Courtyard had acquired. “Make sure the curtains or blinds stay drawn on any windows that overlook the streets. And don’t let anyone go out there who doesn’t have to.”

Montgomery moved to the window and looked out. His brown skin turned gray and he braced a hand on the window frame for support.

“What is it?” Tess asked.

“I’m not sure what’s on the lawns of the two apartment buildings,” Vlad said with forced calm, “but there are intestines hanging from the branches of the trees like some strange moss.”

“Lieutenant?” Simon said softly. The humans couldn’t be pragmatic about the available meat—and with so many human strangers in the Courtyard right now, the Others couldn’t take advantage of the abandoned kills either.

When Montgomery turned and looked at him, he felt pity for the man. This was a hard truth about who guarded the continent of Thaisia, but Simon thought the other part of the truth would hit humans like Montgomery even harder.

“In Wolf form, we could help you find all the parts.” He would have to choose Wolves who dealt with humans enough to understand why they couldn’t snack on what they found.

“I need to call Captain Burke,” Montgomery said.

“The Business Association’s room is empty,” Henry said.

They waited until Montgomery went across the hall.

“When do you want to meet the humans to tell them the rest?” Vlad asked.

“In an hour, if Captain Burke can get here by then. I want Nathan back here too,” Simon said.

“Tess needs to tend to her leg, but I will fetch Merri Lee, and she will help Nyx and me put Meg’s office back in order,” Henry said.

“As much as we can.” Nyx gave Simon a fanged smile. “The Elders ate all the Wolf cookies.”

He just sighed. What else was there to do?

After the rest of them went downstairs to deal with humans and sort out what needed to be done, Simon called the Pony Barn and felt relieved when he heard Meg’s voice.

“Simon? Is that you? Are you all right?”

“It’s me. I’m fine. Are you?”

“Yes. Something thought about entering the Pony Barn and... they laughed at us.”