“This is our home. Our children play here. Hunters will come. We’ve seen this happen before. In nineteen seventy-one someone reported seeing one of us and thought it was a bigfoot. A bunch of drunken hunters trespassed on that clan’s territory for months. Four VampLycans were shot, one nearly died. And the world is easier to share stories with now. All those humans came from one town. Imagine what would happen if they used the internet. They could come from all over the world. We can’t allow this human to tell others. Do you understand?”#p#分页标题#e#
“I do.”
“It’s a law to protect our secrets from the world for a reason.”
Dusti nodded. “I get it. Let me take a crack at him though.”
“You can’t wipe his mind.”
“I don’t need to. Just let me talk to him. If I can’t spin this, he’s all yours. I get it.”
“You can’t tell him the truth.”
“I wouldn’t do that.” She peered up at him in a way that tugged at his chest. “Please let me talk to this guy. I think I know how to handle this mess.”
“He saw one of us.”
“I know. Take me to this guy. I have a plan.”
“What is it?”
“I need to find out what he saw and get a look at him first.” She reached out and gripped his hand. “Let me at least try.”
“Let’s see what she can do,” his mother stated loud and clear.
Drantos was stunned when he looked at his mom. “What?”
“She’s human. She might know better how to deal with one. No one wishes to kill today.” His mom crossed her arms over her chest. “The last thing we need is for someone to go missing in our area. That would cause us problems too. Let’s see what your mate can do, Drantos.”
He had a sinking feeling in his stomach that this was going to be a disaster. He turned his gaze to his father.
He nodded, looking equally grim. “We can still kill him afterward. Let her try. There’s no harm in that.”
Shit. He grasped Dusti’s hand and tugged her toward town. “Let’s go.”
She had to almost run to keep up with him. He should have felt guilt but didn’t. He was angry. His father followed but the rest of the clan hung back.
“What are you doing?”
She didn’t answer so he glanced at her, using their link instead.
Did you hear me? What are you doing?
Trying to save a man’s life.
He saw too much. We must protect the clan. You should have said nothing. Now they might question your loyalty to our people for your own. You’re one of us now, Dusti.
That doesn’t mean I have to agree to murder without at least trying to prevent it.
Anger came through the bond from her. He felt some himself. Damn! This is a disaster about to happen.
I heard that. She shot him a dirty look.
Chapter Seventeen
Dusti entered the store with Drantos on her heels. She spotted the visitor right away. He stood at the counter loudly arguing with a dark-haired VampLycan. It was easy to guess who was who since one of them was noticeably buff and big.
She took the time to snag a bottled water from the cooler before approaching them.
“I want to call the state troopers,” the out-of-towner complained. “You’re like legally required to let me have access to a phone.”
“Sir,” Lake shook his head, “I told you. The phone is down. It happens. Storms come through and we can go weeks before it’s fixed.”
“What’s going on?” Dusti stepped up next to the stranger.
“Do you have a cell phone?”
She shook her head. “No. Sorry. I don’t even think we get cell signals around here,” she lied. “Are you okay?”
“I saw something.”
She set the water down and held out her hand. “I’m Dusti. What’s your name?”
“Brad.” He shook her hand. “Do you live around here? Can I use your phone?”#p#分页标题#e#
“What did you see?”
“I don’t know. It was a big creature. I think it’s some kind of new wildlife. It’s really remote out here so it’s possible.”
She bit her lip and studied him. He seemed a little scared and excited at the same time. “Was it kind of hairy but not? Big body? Moved real fast?”
His eyes widened. “Yes!”
She grinned. “You saw George.”
“That wasn’t a man.”
“You’re right. It’s not. George is kind of a celebrity around here. He’s a bear with about the worst case of mange ever. Poor thing.” She turned and shook her head at Lake. “You’re at it again, I see. Messing with the tourists isn’t nice.”