Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(109)

“Yes.” Maggie stopped and whistled through her teeth.

The door to the lodge opened, and a large vampire strode through.

“Garrett!” Cara called, releasing Maggie and running for her son.

“Mom.” He caught her as she reached him, swinging her up. “I wanted to let you sleep in.” Setting her down, he leaned back to study her. “You all right?”

She smacked his chest. “Of course. What are you doing here?”

“Uncle Dage called and said you’d be here.” Shocking gray eyes surveyed the area before he concentrated on her again. “Headquarters is secure, and I like it here.” He smiled, and lines crinkled at his eyes. “The food is great. Huckleberry pancakes.”

Cara winced. “Don’t eat them out of headquarters, sweetie.”

“I’ll try.” He looked down at her, so tall and broad. In his early twenties, Garrett was sinewed and fit with Talen’s strong build.

She reached out and touched his dark hair, which almost reached his shoulders. “You’re growing your hair out?”

He shook his head. “I hadn’t noticed. Been busy with the Enforcers.”

“Where’s—” Just as Cara started to ask the question, Logan Kyllwood loped out the front door, munching on a bagel.

“Mrs. Kayrs,” he said, his green eyes lighting in pleasure.

“Cara,” she corrected him for the zillionth time. The demon-vampire mix was obvious in his hoarse voice and large build. The boys, both the same age, had quickly bonded when Janie had mated Zane, Logan’s brother. Family was family, as they’d both attested. “Are you two behaving?”

“We are,” Logan said solemnly, his lips twitching. “Honestly, we don’t have much of a choice, you know? The Enforcers are always around.” The boys were helping the witch Enforcers on a case in Seattle involving a deadly mineral that harmed witches.

“Ah, I know. How are you feeling about your mother mating Daire Dunne?” Daire was a dangerous Enforcer who had always seemed a little cranky and a lot honorable.

Logan lifted a massive shoulder. “We decided to let him live.”

Cara laughed. That was as good as a declaration of love, now, wasn’t it? “Smart of you.”

“Well, Mom loves him. Plus, she likes to rob banks lately, and Dunne has a talent there.” Logan shifted to the side, his gaze narrowing. “I sense a demon near.”

Garrett moved faster than she could track, scooping her up and setting her on the porch behind him.

Cara caught her breath as Logan deposited Maggie right next to her. The boys took up defensive positions in front of them.

“Oh, hell no,” Cara muttered, planting her hands on her hips. Both she and Maggie knew how to fight. “Garrett Talen Kayrs—”

“The demon?” Garrett asked Logan, visibly scanning the area.

Logan shook his head. “It’s muted . . . but I know one is around here. I mean, one besides me.”

Garrett glanced over his shoulder. Even though he was two steps down from Cara, his eyes were level with hers. “Mom? Do you mind going inside? Please?”

Her face heated until the tips of her ears burned. “Yes, I do actually mind. I’m trained, and I’m your mother. That means I protect you.” She stomped down the steps but then had to tilt back her head to glare at him.

He shuffled his feet.

Cara turned on his friend. “Logan Henry Kyllwood? Why are you angling your body between me and the forest?”

Logan looked over her head at Garrett, a definite please help expression in his eyes.

Garrett grasped her arm. “Mom, I’m really sorry, but, well, you know. You’re not a vampire.”

“Or a demon,” Logan whispered.

Maggie tripped down the steps. “I’m a wolf.”

Garrett cleared his throat. “Yes, ma’am.” Even so, he turned just enough to block both women from the unguarded tree line.

Cara rolled her eyes. “You two are unbelievable.”

Two girls wandered out from around the lodge, both with long hair and short skirts. They stopped cold and then smiled.

Garrett frowned. “Where the hell is that demon, Logan?” he muttered.

Logan drew in a breath. “I’m not sure.”

One of the girls bounced closer. “Did you say ‘demon’? You mean, the ones they have in the cells?”

“Cells?” Garrett asked, remaining ridiculously close to his mother.

“Yeah. The demons that chased Mrs. Kayrs are in the cells being, ah, questioned right now.” The girl closest to them smiled. “I’m Shannon, and this is Andrea.”

“Hi,” Andrea said, her eyes sparkling.

“Well, hello.” Logan slid toward the girls, obviously no longer worried about a demon attack.

“Oh, hell no,” Terrent Vilks bellowed, emerging from the trees.

Logan sighed.

Cara caught sight of Talen right behind the wolf, and she took a quick inventory. No blood. Whatever questioning had occurred apparently hadn’t taken much of a fight. “Did they say who wanted the samples?”

“Kind of.” Talen reached them and clasped his son in a hug. Then, for good measure, he hugged Logan, too. “Thanks for coming.”

“Sure.” Garrett smiled and shifted so that Talen was between him and Cara. “Mom’s glad we’re here.”