I couldn’t help but grin. “That’s what Wolfe claims. We’ve never seen them in action, though.”

“I can’t wait to see his nunchucks.”

“Do not touch them,” I warned. “Or any weapon, without permission. If he approves of you, he might lend you something too.”

Some of Eddie’s humor faded. “I really hate that it’s come to you needing to borrow a weapon. I hate that it’s come to any of this.” He sighed in dismay. “I know Ms. Terwilliger warned us Alicia might have moved on, but I was really, really hoping we’d find some sign of her today.”

“I know,” I said in dismay. “I wanted that too. But if she had to scramble and change her plans, the odds are good she got careless. We just need to take advantage of that and beat her before her next move.”

“And each day we wait is another day of God-knows-what for Jill.”

The despair in his voice made my heart ache. “I know,” I told him sadly. “I know.”

Malachi’s compound was a series of stark, industrial-looking buildings on a large, grassless lot well off the highway. We pulled into the long gravel driveway, and I saw some of Eddie’s earlier enthusiasm return as every fantasy about Malachi’s bizarre lifestyle slowly unfolded. The sun was just touching the horizon, making everything even creepier as shadows fell. I smiled to myself, remembering the first time Adrian and I had visited, unsure if we were walking into a self-defense class or an abduction.

I knocked at the door of the main house and wasn’t surprised to hear the frantic pitter-pattering of little Chihuahua feet, followed by a cacophony of frenzied yelping. “Oh, man,” breathed Eddie. “There really is a herd of them.” I’d seen Eddie fearlessly face down an attacking Strigoi, but he took an uneasy step back at the sound of the canine charge.

I grinned and turned toward the door, waiting for Malachi Wolfe himself to answer. Slightly unstable and very unorthodox, Wolfe had nonetheless been a good friend to Adrian and me—and more than a friend to Ms. Terwilliger. That last part still made me squirm a bit, but after everything Adrian and I had endured, I was more convinced than ever that everyone needed someone to love—even scattered sorceresses and eyepatch-wearing self-defense instructors.

When no answer immediately came, I knocked again. This drove the dogs into a louder frenzy, but Wolfe still didn’t materialize. “Weird,” I said.

“Didn’t you text him before we left?” asked Eddie.

“Ms. Terwilliger did,” I replied. I glanced over at the other buildings, looking for movement. “He said he had some weapons in mind for me. Maybe he’s getting them out.” I stepped back to the ground and headed toward where I knew Wolfe kept a stockpile of weapons. “I hope he’s not going to try to pass off that blowgun again.”