Page 25 of The Night Calling

I shook my head and moved toward the main square, hiding behind buildings and narrow driveways between houses. I stopped at a picket fence that had a good view of the main square.

Empty, abandoned. I could see demons in front of the school, and when I focused, I could hear voices coming from inside—my pack, or what was left of it. I glanced around, but saw and heard nothing else.

Curious, I weaved deeper into town, to the other side, where a lonely road took me to my old house.

More demons patrolled the house’s lot from the outside. I went around the lot, until I was back in the forest and hid among the trees. Here, I had a good view of the large glass window that made up most of living and dining room’s walls. And behind those, I had a partial view of the breakfast room and the kitchen.

My stomach twisted in knots when I saw Conri seated in my father’s favorite chair in front of the fireplace.

Conri, the demon who killed my father, my mother, who took my pack … the urge to rip his throat open was so damn strong. But a handful of demons lined the walls, plus the ones outside. I wasn’t sure I could take them all by myself.

I forced myself to stay put.

So far, I had seen two dozen demons around town, patrolling the forest, and in the house. But I bet there were more. Conri and two dozen demons couldn’t maintain this kind of control over my pack, could they? Well, I didn’t know how many wolves were still alive, and they all probably had the magical cuffs, just like Raika. They couldn’t fight or shift with those.

As if I had conjured her with my thoughts, Raika walked into the kitchen. By the moon, I had forgotten about her style and how good she looked—a black mini skirt, boots that came up to her knees, and a tight tank top. She looked delicious, and I wondered if the demons noticed … if Conri did. Of course they did.

The question was, had they respected her?

Raika turned to someone behind her. She put her arm over someone’s shoulder and turned to the fridge.

My heart stopped.

Minsi.

Holy shit, my little sister had grown in this past year. She was slightly taller, going to Raika’s shoulders now, and her brown hair was longer and wilder. But even from here, I could see she had retreated into herself. Her shoulders sank in and she barely lifted her head.

Two demons stood in the back of the kitchen, as if they were Raika’s and Minsi’s shadows. Did they follow the girls everywhere?

Raika let go of Minsi and grabbed a few things from the fridge—sliced bread, cheese, lettuce. Minsi picked up the mustard and mayo … they were making a sandwich.

But where was Tyren? Didn’t Raika say he was alive too? Wasn’t he in the house with them?

I swallowed a snarl when Conri stood from the chair and went to the kitchen. He stopped so, so close to them. My insides hardened and I had to dig my claws into the ground to stop myself from protecting them.

Conri said something and pointed at Minsi. My sister recoiled, her hands shaking, and she dropped the mustard. It fell on the floor and exploded, sending mustard down the island’s side and to Conri’s pants and shoes.

Instantly, he advanced on Minsi, his hand turned into a claw in a second.

I took a step forward …

Raika put herself in front of Minsi and pushed Conri away. She yelled at him. He yelled back. I couldn’t make out the words from here, but I could hear the anger and frustration in them.

Raika didn’t back off. She held her ground.

And Conri slapped her.

Fury bubbled in my gut and I took two steps forward.

One of the demons patrolling the backyard turned in my direction. I plastered myself to the bushes again and held my breath.

Damn it.

Everything in me screamed to kill the bastard for yelling at the girls, for intimidating Minsi, for hitting Raika. He was as good as dead. I would kill him, but I needed more time.

Conri yelled at them and marched away from the kitchen.

If he was interested in Raika, then he was doing a poor job of caring for her. The bastard would lose his hand for slapping her.