“Ree.” Melanie turned Ree to face her, a hand on each of her shoulders. “We’re all worried for each other. This is a huge deal. A massive thing we have to accomplish. But we can’t focus on those things. We just have to focus on what we’re doing and why.”

The sound of a motor drifted over the water and reached their ears. Both of them looked out at the water and saw the glint of the setting sun on the boat hull. Ree felt a little tension in her stomach release. At least these families would be safe for now.

“Tristan always wanted more, Ree.” Ree jerked back to look at Melanie. “He hated that he went to school on scholarship. He chose this, Ree. You know it, and I know it. He was never a bad guy; not a bully or cruel. But he wanted more. Maybe he didn’t understand why they wanted him. Maybe he didn’t know what it would do to him, but he chose it. And we all have to accept the consequences of our decisions.”

“Do you think he knew? Knew he would have to kill me?” Ree lowered her voice. “Did he know that the consequences would affect us too?”

“He’s the only one who knows for sure, Ree.” Melanie squeezed her shoulders before letting go. “It really doesn’t matter now.”

Ree shook her head and looked back at the water. It really didn’t matter anymore. He had made his decision and Ree was making hers. She couldn’t let the Earth fall into the dark gods’ hands. Even if that meant she had to kill her brother. Even if it meant killing a piece of herself in the process.

Sighing, she headed for the dock. She wanted to welcome the new people to the island, help them feel safe. The closer the boat came, the more she could feel the fear and worry of the humans. She caught the rope Met threw to her and tied it to one of the cleats. Ree brushed her hands off when she stood and offered to help the first family off the boat.

“I’m Ree. Sorry for the suddenness of everything, but you will be much safer here on the island.” She smiled at the father, but he just looked at her hand.

“Who’s in charge here?” He hopped onto the dock and held his hand out to his wife and young children.

Ree looked at Met and Niall for a minute. She hadn’t really thought about it, but if she was being honest, she was the one in charge now. And she had a feeling she needed to assert that fact right away.

“That would be me. You’re the Thornton family, right?” Ree smiled at the kids. “Why don’t we go on to the house where you’ll be more comfortable? We’re expecting more people and it would be easier to explain it once.”

“We’re not moving off of this dock until you tell me why we’re here.” He looked at Ree, his face stubborn. “That little guy stuck me with something and the only reason I haven’t done something about it is because I didn’t wake up until we were on the boat.”

“Um, excuse me.” A small grey-haired woman with bright blue eyes looked at Ree. “Does this have anything to do with the vampires?” The little old man holding her hand rolled his eyes and the angry father cursed under his breath.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Actually, yes, it does.” Ree smiled at the old woman. “The Dark Ones are looking for people that have a little something extra in their blood. Both of your families were at risk.”

“You’re out in the sun. You aren’t a vampire.” The man crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you planning on using us as hostages? We’re not joining any cults or worshipping monkeys. Just give me the keys to the boat and we’ll be out of here.”

“Met? Would you mind a demonstration?” Ree nodded at the Guardian who smiled.

Before Met could say or do anything, Niall looked at the father and opened his mouth in a wide smile. His Guardian fangs slid free and gleamed in the remaining sunlight.

“Nom, nom, nom.”

Ree wanted to slap herself on the forehead, but decided it would be better to slap Niall instead. Grabbing his shoulder, she pulled him back behind her with a glare. The Guardian was still smiling, but Ree didn’t have time to deal with him. The little old woman was crossing herself and her husband looked close to a heart attack.

The father had taken a step back, blocking his children from view, but his expression said he clearly didn’t think Niall was all that dangerous. More like he was extremely annoyed by his sense of humor. Ree heard someone approaching from the house and sighed in relief. Kay came into view and smiled at everyone. There was a dishtowel hanging over her shoulder, and something in her expression seemed to ease the tension on the dock.

“I’m not going anywhere with that little freak. Not sure why you think showing me you’re vampires would make me want to go with you.” He stared at Niall, but his words were for Ree.

“Oh, those aren’t the bad vampires.” The older woman stepped up. “They have such a nice aura. Even the cheeky one.”

From the look on Niall’s face, Ree felt like he had just gotten better than a slap.

“Hi! Welcome to Sanctus Island!” Kay pushed her way past Niall and held her hand out to the father and mother.

“So are you in charge? These kids aren’t making any sense.” The father shook Kay’s hand with a look of relief.

“In charge? Oh, no. That would be Ree.” Kay smiled at Ree over her shoulder and moved her hand to the man’s elbow. “However, I am the one that will be helping you guys all get comfortable and making sure you’re fed.” She smiled at the mother and children over her shoulder, all the while guiding the man past Ree and toward the house.

Ree looked at Kay, feeling surprised. The woman that had popped her and Melanie’s butts with a wooden spoon for stealing cookie dough had just told everyone Ree was in charge. Turning back to look at the older couple, Ree was relieved to see Melanie helping the woman navigate the dock. She smiled at the two and nodded her head at the man trailing behind them. He stopped and looked at Ree.

“Do you have those teeth, too?” He adjusted his glasses and glared at Ree.

“No sir, I don’t.” Ree clasped her hands in front of her body, trying to look innocent.

“Then why would you be in charge?” His gaze never wavered, making Ree feel very young.

“Because there is a war happening, and I am the only one that can end it.” Ree’s words seemed to cut through the wind coming off of the water, even though she had said it softly.

“Heh.” The man looked away from Ree and followed his wife’s progress. “She’s been going on about vampires and magic for a while now. I just thought her mind was goin’, you know?”

“I can understand why you would think that.” Ree shifted from one foot to the other.

“But she’s right?” The man looked back at Ree.

“Yes. She’s right.” Ree pressed her lips together and met his stare.

“Well, then. And this island is safe?” He looked back toward the house.

“Yes, sir. As safe as I can make it.”

“Thank you for bringing us here, then. I’m glad to have as much time as possible with Libby.” He smiled at Ree. “And I’m very glad to know she is still in touch with reality.”

Ree smiled at him, but the sound of more boats nearing the dock drew her attention. The old man patted her shoulder and headed for the house. Ree looked back in time to see him grab his wife’s hand. Very clearly the woman looked at him and said, “I told you.”

Melanie came back to the dock chuckling, but the sound died away the closer the boats got to the dock. There was something stuck in the side of one of the boats and small holes lining another.

“Go get Paden.” Ree moved toward the end of the dock and the sharp, copper smell of blood grew stronger. Melanie was gone in a second and Ree could hear her calling for Paden.

One of the Guardians had several holes in his shirt, the black material slick with blood. Magda was standing on the prow of the other boat, the rope in her hand and ready to throw to Ree. Snatching the heavy rope out of the air, Ree quickly tied the boat down and moved to the next one. There was a girl around twelve or thirteen crying on the floor of the boat. There was blood in her hair and she had her hands pressed to a wound on her leg. Ree’s eyes raked over the passengers, some of them in shock, others trying to help those that had been injured.

Paden slid next to Ree, his eyes taking in the scene. He ducked back to the other boat to take stock.

“Guardian! Over here.” Magda dipped down to pick up a woman from the floor of her boat. She had an arrow jutting out from her right shoulder and another from her leg.

Paden’s hands were glowing by the time he reached them. Carefully, he brushed the hair back from the woman’s face and checked her eyes.

“Oh, thank the gods. You’re a healer.” Magda laid the woman down on the dock and left her in Paden’s care. “I had hoped one of you were.”

Ree jumped into the boat with the girl and knelt down next to her. “What’s your name?”

The girl looked at her with glossy eyes and Ree’s heart squeezed in pity. Very carefully she looked into her eyes again and asked, “What’s your name?”

“Sabrina.” Tears slid down the girls cheeks. “Where’s my mom?”

“I don’t know, Sabrina. Right now we just need to help get you fixed up.” Ree slid her arm around the girl’s waist and helped her stand. The Guardian that had been driving the boat came to the other side and they carefully lifted her over the edge of the boat and onto the dock.

“I’ve never seen so many darklings, Alastriana.” The Guardian looked at her with serious eyes. “I did everything I could.”

“Where is your partner?” Ree knew the answer already, but had to ask.

“He fell so that we could get away.”

Ree reached out and squeezed his shoulder. It wasn’t much of a condolence, but all she had time for. Going back to the boat, she helped several other people off that seemed to only have minor injuries. They were all in shock. Being shot at by a gang of supernaturally fast criminals is not something anyone can expect or be prepared for. One of the women seemed to be coping well, her toddler stuck on one hip, while she helped another woman out of the boat.

Paden made his way through the victims, blood covering his hands. For a random moment, Ree wondered if he should clean his hands between victims, but then figured he probably cured any blood-carried diseases. When he got to the young woman holding on to the Guardians’ shoulder, he looked at Ree and she could see the drain from all of the healing. He looked away, obviously sensing her worry. He didn’t want her to focus on him, and, for the moment, he was right.

Her friends had all come to the dock to help transport the wounded to the house and Ree looked up in worry when she heard more boats nearing. The sun was quickly getting lower in the sky and Ree knew they would have to leave soon. Three more boats pulled up to the long dock, but, thankfully, the people and Guardians looked to be in much better shape. There were a few humans limping or sporting scrapes, but nothing like the two boats that had been shot at while escaping. The Guardians from those boats did their best to herd the newcomers around the wounded.

Someone hollered from the direction of the house and Ree looked up to see the mother that had been helping people run back toward the dock. A man helping a boy out of a boat turned around, his face a mask of relief. The woman flew through the crowd and launched herself into the man’s arms. As they held each other sobbing, the Guardians worked around them.

“Alastriana, we brought everyone back that we could. I also brought back some of the others’ extended family members. Two of the families on the list were not at home or their work places.” A tall Guardian leaned down to look at Ree. “It is my hope that they had left town or were unable to return because of the looting.”

Ree nodded her head. Hoping they could get everyone back was wishful thinking, but at least they had managed to get this many to safety. Ree stepped out of the way so Magda could help the woman who had been hit by two arrows toward the house. Surveying the rest of the victims, Ree was relieved to see most of them up and moving around. Yet, there on the dock was one body covered in a blue tarp. A human who had not made it safely to the island.

Ree walked over to the draped figure and knelt down. “I’m so sorry we weren’t in time.”

Without lifting the cover to see who it was underneath, Ree scooped the slight figure up and carried it off of the dock and down to where the pyres had been set up not that long ago.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

A few of the new Guardians had gathered near the beach. Niall looked at Ree and for the first time, she saw something other than disdain and pain in his eyes. Walking swiftly to Ree, he held his arms out and took the body.

“Let me, Alastriana. I will make sure she is well tended.” Ree looked down at the covered form. She had guessed it was a woman, based on the size and weight, but she didn’t even want to know the gender. Maybe that wasn’t fair, but with everything else she had going on, it was one more sad detail in a storm of misery. Nodding at Niall, she turned around and walked back to the house.

She looked up at the sky and was surprised to see the purple tones of dusk dominating the world. Picking up her pace, she darted into the house and was relieved to see that Kay had managed to get everyone in order and no one was waiting to attack her with questions. Nodding her head at the families as she passed, Ree went straight to her room. She could feel Paden in her bathroom, so she went to her closet and flipped through the clothes. Grabbing a black long-sleeve shirt and dark jeans she turned back to her bed but hesitated. She kicked her shoes off and contemplated Paden.

Something felt weird and she wasn’t sure why. He was doing something to try and keep her from sensing what he was feeling. Throwing her clothes onto the bed, she walked over the bathroom door and knocked.

“Paden?” Ree leaned her head close to the door. The sound of glass falling onto the floor sent her into action. She moved back and planted her foot solidly on the door in a mighty kick. Her bare feet skidded on the glass, but she barely noticed. Paden was slumped on the floor, his back pressed to the wall, his eyes closed.

“Go, please.” His voice was hoarse. He didn’t open his eyes to look at her.

Ree slid across the floor, dropping to her knees and cupping his face. “What’s wrong, Paden? What happened?” She ran her hands down his chest and over his arms, looking for whatever was hurting him. Now that she was touching him, she could feel his extreme lethargy and pain. It was as if his entirebody was completely depleted.