“I don’t feel confident that this isn’t a trap.” Cooper grimaced as everyone turned to stare at him. “I’m just saying what we’re all thinking.”

Willow raised her hand. “Did he say trap or am I projecting my own fears into other people’s mouths? Lip-reading is hard.”

Royce closed his eyes and shook his head. Then he lifted his hand and signed, “T-R-A-P.”

Tegan put her hand on Willow’s shoulder. “Sorry, Willow, I was distracted. Yes, he said he does not feel confident this isn’t a trap,” she spoke out loud, but I knew by the way Willow nodded and the magic billowed beneath Tegan’s hand that she’d said it into Willow’s mind as well.

Thiago spun around to face us, his back to the front door. “Hold up. Cooper, this was your dream. You’re the reason we’re even going, and you don’t feel confident?”

“It definitely feels like a trap.”

Everyone grumbled and groaned their agreement. Well, except Tegan, Tenn, and Bentley, who all wore matching scowls as they stared at the ground. It was afternoon, still hours from sunset, but Cooper had woken from his nap with a note from his dreams. Apparently, he’d had a dream about New Orleans where he saw Sweyn walking into a lower-level door in a building near Jackson Square. He’d relayed this dream to all of us, then reminded us about his dream encounter with Braison a few days ago where he’d informed us Sweyn was turning humans into vampires in that very same spot.

“Obviously we trust Braison,” Jackson said while adjusting the strap of his holster on his back that held his sword. “And we trust Cooper.”

“Right, but whose dream was he seeing?” I turned to Savannah. “What do you think?”

She rolled her eyes. “That y’all ain’t gon’ let me sleep on my own anymore. Savannah ain’t no dream-walker. Savannah wasn’t cut out for that creepy shit. And I like creepy.”

“They weren’t creepy until you started joining me. Maybe you lured the creep⁠—-”

“Boy, I will put you in the ground.” Her accent was nice and thick this afternoon, just the comedic relief we all needed to keep this moment less terrifying. She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head, looking away from him while also casting sideways glances full of sass. “Play wit’ ya momma, boy. Don’t play wit’ me.”

“His momma would retaliate.” Hunter grinned and stretched his arms out. “So, yeah, I concur. That would be fun.”

Tim pinched the bridge of his nose. “Good God, please no.”

“Please yes.” Tegan cackled.

Jackson nodded and looked to Tenn. “Worried about that?”

“Twenty-four-seven, yes.” Tenn pulled his hair up into a messy bun. “Just assume that answer is always yes.”

Jackson pursed his lips and pointed to Cooper. “And that dream? Your thoughts?”