Emersyn whimpered. “Guys, I think I should stay home. I can’t see. I don’t want—-I can’t handle the idea someone gets hurt because I can’t see.”

Hunter hugged her. “I’m sure crazy pants is already scheming a workaround⁠—”

“I am. I just need more time.” Tegan growled. “But since this is probably a trap, that’s a smart idea. Constance, don’t even think about joining us.”

“Same goes for Mei-Ling and Tai.” Tenn cocked his head to the side. “Landreia, by any chance are you familiar with the fey lines⁠—”

“You know that I am.” She grinned and held her hands up to show that she was holding wands like they were Wolverine’s claws. “Happy to lend a hand.”

“Excellent. I need you and Lennox to focus on the fey lines. See if you can try blocking them from passing through.”

Lennox scoffed. “Sure, I’ll paint their toenails while I’m at it.”

Savannah snort-laughed.

I frowned. “Is there any way they could get here?”

“Ma’am. No.” Savannah shuddered. I loved when her accent dragged that one syllable into like five. “That’s it. I’m staying here. If Singer sewing machine rolls up, me and Em will hold the fort.”

“Singer sewing machine?” I whispered.

“I can’t say her name!” Savannah huffed. “My mouth don’t make that sound.”

“Savannah, I don’t think you should stay here⁠—”

“Women are told we catch more flies with honey, but I can catch plenty with your hollowed-out carcass.” She put her scarred hands on her hips. “So, this can go either way.”

“Savannah—”

“No.” Tenn put his hand on Cooper’s shoulder, interrupting him. “Darkling has a point. We can’t assume Eden is safe.”

Savannah pulled Emersyn to her side, then hooked her arm around hers. “Darkling and the dark twin. We got this. Now git.”

Tenn pointed to me. “You. Benched⁠—”

“What?”

“You’re not to fight unless I tell you. I want you at my side. I’m not ready to suffer the wrath of Everest if you get hurt in this trap.” I must’ve made a face because he held his hands up. “I’m benching myself too. I’m not taking his warnings lightly, either. Babe, that goes for you as well.”

“Tenn, Frankie, and I will huddle together and only step in if we really have to.” She snapped her fingers and the portal opened. “No one goes into a vampire lair until I tell them to, got it?”

Everyone nodded.

“Let’s go.”

The second we emerged from Tegan’s portal, I knew this was a trap. There wasn’t a single human in sight. On a Thursday afternoon in March. That was not right.

“The roads are barricaded,” Deacon said as he appeared in front of us as an astral projection. “Magic is being used on the humans to make them steer clear of this area.”