Chapter Seven

Josiah flanked Samuel’s left side as the fighter led the brothers through the corridors to the arena. Micah was already standing there waiting for them. The dull thud of a loud heavy metal song shook the entire building. Samuel stood stone still with his eyes closed. Josiah’s mind whirled with strategies and worst-case scenarios. His brothers told him over and over that being the corner was nothing compared to getting hit in the face.

They had no idea how wrong they were. They listened to his commands and executed them to the best of their ability. In this game, they were the pawn, and he was the chess master. And it was his full responsibility to get them out of that structure alive.

An upbeat funk rock song filled the place. Samuel stormed into the arena. Josiah motioned for the other five to follow him. Josiah studied his brother. Usually, he had a shit-eating grin on his face as he headed toward the cage. This time he looked concerned. Worried, even. For the first time ever, it seemed like he had something to lose, and that made Josiah uneasy.

Samuel stopped short at the steps to the cage and then turned and gave Josiah a bear hug. He did the same to Micah. However, when he got to Caleb, it was an awkward squeeze. Josiah slipped on a pair of rubber gloves and then opened the container of petroleum jelly. As he smoothed it on Samuel’s face, he barked out last minute instructions. Samuel hugged him again tightly and then turned to the official waiting for him. After a pat down, he popped his mouth guard out for the official to see. Once Samuel was motioned inside, he ascended the steps to the cage.

Josiah shot a look at Caleb. “What the fuck is going on between you two?”

Caleb shook his head. “Don’t worry about it.”

The announcer held the microphone up to his mouth as he stood in the middle of the mat. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the main event for the number one contender position. The winner will face Felix Ross for the Heavyweight championship. In the red corner, from Saint Cloud, Minnesota, Bowser McNamara. In the blue corner, from northern Minnesota, Samuel Hallow.”

Josiah led the other two to their places on the other side of the cage from Samuel’s corner. The crowd almost deafened him. The ref motioned Samuel and Bowser to the center of the mat and gave instructions Josiah couldn’t hear. The two men man returned to their corners without shaking hands and waited for the ref to call out. “Fight!”

Samuel and Bowser circled each other a couple of times as they studied each other. Bowser sprung across the cage, throwing his punches erratically. Samuel ducked each of them and then countered with his own combo. His cross caught Bowser on the chin.

Despite Josiah’s instructions to get Bowser on the ground, the big man wouldn’t fall. A wild punch caught Samuel on the cheek and opened him up. A thin trail of blood dripped down his face and onto the floor. The horn announcing the end of round one blared shortly thereafter.

Josiah scooped up the stool beneath him on the ground and then he, Micah, and Caleb hurried up the steps into the cage. He set the stool on the mat moments before Samuel sunk onto it. He laid his head back against the fence and closed his eyes. Micah dabbed at the gash on his cheek with petroleum jelly while Caleb pressed a bag of ice against Samuel’s chest.

When Josiah spoke, Samuel opened his eyes. “Sam, you have to finish him. You might look like you’re winning by points, but I’ve never seen those judges before. We don’t know if Rock and Cort are influencing them against you. You have to finish Bowser off. Don’t leave it to decision.”

Samuel blinked at him. “Am I doing anything to him?”

“Yeah, he’s getting tossed around like a rag doll. But he’s solid. You probably aren’t going to knock him out. Get him on the floor.”

A second horn sounded for the beginning of round two. Samuel huffed. “Easier said than done.” He stood slowly. Josiah grabbed the stool and retreated from the cage with Micah and Caleb following after him. The referee glanced back and forth between Samuel and Bowser before he dropped his hand. “Fight.”

The two men shot out of their corners and stalked each other again. Samuel threw the first combo and beat on Bowser with all sorts of punches. Bowser’s head snapped back at least twice, but he was still steady on his feet. While he was dazed from the assault, Samuel sank to a knee, wrapped his arm around Bowser’s thigh, and then buried the side of his face into Bowser’s hip. Bowser didn’t move an inch. Samuel abandoned the single leg before he got caught under Bowser. Bowser drove him back into the cage and tied him up in a clinch. In the final moments, they shoved apart. Samuel fired off a head kick. The impact of the blow landed Bowser on his ass just as the horn ended round two.

Josiah had the stool in hand as he, Micah, and Caleb rushed back into the cage. He dropped it moments before Samuel slumped onto it. Micah dabbed at the reopened cut on his cheek. Caleb pressed the ice pack between his shoulder blades with one hand and offered a bottle of water to Sam with the other.

“Better,” Josiah instructed. “In my mind, you won the first two rounds. He’s confused. End it.”

“I will if I can get him off his feet.”

“He’s stumbling. Look for an opportunity. Don’t let it go to decision.”

The horn announced the third and final round. Samuel staggered his feet. Josiah swiped the stool from under him and then fled the structure with Micah and Caleb. Once the door was locked and the fighters were ready, the referee dropped his hand. “Fight.”

Josiah studied Samuel and Bowser as the third round started. There had to be a weakness to get Bowser on the ground. Just as he thought he saw it, Bowser’s foot slid across a puddle of his own sweat. He toppled to his knees on the mat. Samuel sprawled on top of him, using his weight to pin Bowser to the mat. He crawled on his back and then carefully slipped one foot alongside his inner thigh. After he did the same with his other foot, he slid his arm across Bowser’s throat. Bowser dug his chin into his chest to stop him. Samuel cupped Bowser’s forehead in his free hand and tilted his head up. He tightened his arm around Bowser’s neck and hooked his hand inside the elbow of his free arm. He scooped his free arm behind Bowser’s head.

Bowser flung himself on the mat to knock Samuel off and dislodge the choke, but Samuel held on for dear life. Bowser thrashed for a few moments but then tapped weakly against Samuel’s arm. Samuel didn’t let go until the referee peeled them apart. He hurried to his corner as the announcer, officials, and corners flooded into the cage.

Josiah pulled Samuel into a hug. “Great job, champ. Knew you could do it.”

Samuel laughed. It sounded weak. “I got lucky he biffed it on his own sweat. I’ve never seen someone sweat that much.”

“Yeah, but you took advantage of it. You didn’t give him a chance to get up. That’s what a champion does.”

Micah and Caleb hugged Samuel also and offered their congratulations. The referee waved both him and Bowser back to the center of the mat and then clamped a hand over each of their wrists. Josiah followed close behind.

The announcer stood behind them to address the crowd. “The winner by submission due to a rear naked choke, Samuel Hallow.”

The referee raised Samuel’s hand in victory. Once his arm was dropped, Samuel grabbed the microphone from the announcer and looked at Bowser. “I kicked your ass. I earned the number one contender’s spot. But I forfeit it. You win. Good luck with Felix Ross.”

He sent a cold glare to Cort and Rock as he dropped the microphone on the mat. He took a step back next to Josiah. Caleb stormed across the mat to him. He scooped up the microphone and glared at Samuel.

“I forfeit the Welterweight championship,” Caleb announced. He laid the belt on the mat and looked at Rock. “You can go fuck yourself, asshole.”

Micah joined them then and laid his belt on the mat beside Caleb’s. “I forfeit the Middleweight championship. Ladies and gentlemen, we refuse to work with the new management of this promotion. Therefore, this is the last time you will see a Hallow fight in this cage. Peace out.”

Samuel, Micah, and Caleb led the brothers from the cage. Once they were down the steps, Josiah shouted his apologies over his shoulder. Samuel and his mates were safe. They were a unified team again. All was right in the Hallows’ world. The ache that gripped Josiah tight in its mystical claws demanded he find his mate. He near sprinted past the crowd into the back to find Sarah.

He stopped cold when he found her still in her locker room. She was back on the bench, but she wasn’t alone. Rock and Cort were seated on either side of her, each with a wicked smile on his face.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Josiah demanded. He thumbed over his shoulder toward the arena. “You were just out there.”

Sarah snarled at him. “Cort and Rock have given me the main event at their next promotion.”

“Over my dead fucking body.” He looked at Sarah. “Baby, you need to trust me right now.”

“You don’t have a say, Josiah.”

Josiah glared at each of the vampires. “Release her from this. Now. Or I’ll make you regret it.”

Cort chuckled. “You heard Miss Merit. You don’t have a say, Hallow.”

“You saw her fight. What possessed you to offer her a main event fight?”

They both stared at him in silence. They didn’t have to say anything. Their evil grins said it all.

Josiah grit his teeth. “What the fuck do you want?”

Rock slowly stood until he was nose to nose with Josiah. Josiah seethed inside. He hated the fact that the vampires had him over a barrel.

“You know what we want, Hallow,” Rock stated. “The amulet and Hakimi.”

“Fuck you. Hakimi is a Hallow now, for the record.”

Sarah jumped to her feet. “What’s going on? You aren’t bartering away my fight.”

Rock wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her to him. “It will be a pleasure to have Miss Merit in the cage. We have an opponent chosen already who is looking forward to sinking her teeth into this match-up.”

Josiah’s heart seized in his chest. He shook his head in rage. This couldn’t be happening. “I can’t do that.”

“That’s too bad. Miss Merit is such a lovely girl.”

Sarah pulled from Rock, but he held her fast. Josiah curled his fingers in a fist. He was ready to shed some vampire blood. “Fine. Let her fight. I will train her. You will get her a real opponent, and it won’t be a fucking bloodsucker. She wins, and she will win, you release her. Forever.”

Rock cocked his head to the side. “And if she loses, and she will lose, you will deliver the amulet and Hakimi to us. If she doesn’t arrive for her weigh-in, we get Hakimi and the amulet also. Deal?’

Josiah growled as he extended his hand. “Deal.”

Cort slowly rose to his feet and shook Josiah’s hand also. “It’s a pleasure working with you, Hallow.”

“New opponent,” Josiah demanded.

“Should we find her a flea-bitten mongrel like yourself?”

“I’m an alpha, asshole. You can’t say that. You need to feed off someone else to survive. Fuck, you can’t even enjoy a sunshiny day. Me? Nothing stops me. Get her a mortal. Human. I will do a fucking DNA test on them if I have to.”

Both vampires laughed. “You strike a hard bargain. Only issue is that we already shook hands. Our gentleman’s deal is already sealed. But yes. Her opponent will be human. Eight weeks. We’ll see you back here in eight weeks,” Cort replied.

“See you then.”

Josiah stood still as rock as he watched them go. He didn’t even move when Sarah scuttled in front of his face. Her voice screeched as she spoke. “What was all that? Bloodsuckers? Mongrel?”

He stared at her coldly. “Not that you would fucking believe me, but your new friends there are vampires. They killed an entire strip club and countless others.”

She huffed. “Josiah, the language.”

“You lied to me. You can deal with my fucking language.” He shook his head. “You have no idea what danger you are in. Please let me protect you. We’ll go to your place and get some of your things. We’ll move the rest of your things to my place tomorrow. You can go to your old gym tomorrow and tell the coaches there that you train under me now.”

She took a step away from him. “You don’t listen, do you? No, I’m not living with you unless we’re married. You aren’t training me. Stop trying to control me.” She grabbed her duffle sitting on the bench and then shot him a dirty look. The metal door shook like thunder when she slammed it behind her.

»»•««

The summer morning caressed Sarah’s skin like a warm, fuzzy blanket. She gazed around at the deep green emerald colors of the leaves on the trees that lined the hiking trail. The gravel crunched underneath her tennis shoes. She hardly got a wink of sleep the night before. The long walk was doing her a world of good.

She had tossed and turned all night as thoughts flooded her brain. She lost pretty quickly to that girl from Lacrosse, Wisconsin, yet she was offered a main event spot for the next fight. At first, she was out of her mind excited. She never thought she could get a spot in the main event. But as the night wore on, she grew skeptical. Cort and Rock struck a deal with Josiah over her fight. Her lover seemed to have his whole world on the line over this.

And the two promoters were as delusional as he was. Bloodsuckers? Mongrels? Vampires? When had she slipped into the Twilight Zone?

She sighed heavily as she took a sip from her water bottle. Josiah. The arrogant jerk had the audacity to assume she would move in with him and that he would be her coach. She didn’t sign on for it. All she agreed to was to fight for Cort and Rock.

Josiah Hallow could stick it where the sun didn’t shine.

It didn’t stop the lust from flooding her. She could image his flesh on hers. She could feel him moving deep inside her. She could taste his kiss and smell that thick woodland musk on his skin. As the night waned on, she wanted him more. By three in the morning, her whole body ached with need. All she could think about, dream about, was sex with him. At some point in the night, she could have sworn that she heard a knock on the door.

She fought herself to ignore it. She wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction, even though all she wanted to do was satisfy his every carnal desire.

She stopped and turned around. Seeing other people on this trail wasn’t a big deal. It was a popular place for families to hang out and enjoy nature. But the two men behind her had followed her since she left her car. They didn’t look dressed for exercise in their T-shirts, jeans, and leather boots. And when she glanced back at them, they just smiled. They were up to something, and she wasn’t about to be their victim. She took one more drink, capped her bottle, and picked up her pace.

She stopped suddenly as she collided into a hard, muscular body. She looked up to find one of the men that followed her now standing like a wall in front of her. His partner stood a few steps behind him. She glanced panicked behind her and then back to him, confused. How did he get there so fast?

“Get away from…” Sarah’s words died on her tongue as she felt the man’s fingers caress her throat. They lingered for a bit before he clamped his hand around her neck. His other arm wrapped around her waist and tugged her tight against his body. Her heart pounded in fear. He touched her like she was prey…as if he was about to enjoy every little evil thing he did to her. She looked up and took in his angular face, his long, dark hair, and his deep brown eyes. He had an eerie similarity to the Hallows. Could he be a cousin? She fought to get out of his grip, leaving at least a dozen scratch marks on his arms and one on his face. He shook her violently and then pulled her closer. His hand wrapped around her neck again.

Her captor stroked her throat tenderly. “Little human, where is your mate?”

“My mate? How did you know…?”

He glared at his companion. “Albanus, get her phone out of her pocket. Video chat Hallow.”

The other man, who looked nearly identical to the one holding her, took his jolly sweet time slipping his fingers into her shorts pocket to pull her cell out. She felt a wave a nausea hit her. He grinned at her as he slid his fingers across the display.

“Sorry, it’s password protected,” she informed him with a smirk. “You know someone will see you. There’s people on this trail all the time.”

Albanus turned the cell toward her. The home screen shone brightly, all of the app icons arranged neatly beneath the glass. Sarah gaped at him. “How did you unlock it?”

Albanus grinned at her as he tapped on the screen and lifted the phone to eye level. He faced the lens toward them. “Ringing Hallow now, Roman. The video chat is starting.”

There was a deafening moment of silence before a voice roared over the speaker. “Get your fucking hands off her.”

Roman laughed. “Josiah. Do you remember me?”

“Yeah, motherfucker. Micah beat you to a bloody pulp in the cage. Guess what? I taught him to do that. Let her go.”

“Unlikely. I’ve been sent once again by Atticus to bring you back to him. You didn’t accept our cordial invitation last time.” He stroked a long finger beneath Sarah’s chin. “This time we’ve found an alternative invitation.”

“Leave her there and walk away.”

“We’ll see you in Maine, Josiah.”

“It’ll be a full moon in a couple of days.”

“Then I suggest you hurry. If we don’t make it home in time, she might just become a tasty snack.”

“You motherf…”

The sound was cut off as Albanus ended the call. Roman looked down at Sarah with a sneer. “My dear, we’re going on a little road trip.”

“I’m not going to Maine with you.” She struggled again and almost escaped. That was, until she felt a cold, sharp piece of metal skim her flesh beneath her T-shirt.

“Now, unless you would like me to skin your carcass here on the trail, you will walk to the parking lot with us. Just three friends taking a hike, right? You will get in our van like a good girl. Do you understand?”

Sarah swallowed hard. “Yes.”

“Good.” Roman looked at Albanus. “Text them. Let them know we are leaving so they can send the decoy and block their cell phones.”

Albanus nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Decoy?” Sarah questioned.

Roman nudged her forward. “Silence. Start walking.”

She took a step or two, ever vigilant of the knife pressed against her skin. They got several funny looks from those they passed on the trail. She just smiled in hopes the hikers would keep on their way. There was something off with these two. No one needed a massacre there in the park, and the blade up her shirt could do quite a bit of damage. There was no doubt in her mind Albanus was carrying one just as big.

Albanus threw the door open to the beat-up white van sitting in the parking lot off the trail. He climbed inside and then turned to reach for her. In that split second of movement, he scooped up a roll of duct tape. Sarah glanced at Roman as he removed the knife from her shirt and shoved her at his partner. Like a flash of lightning, he was already in the driver’s door. She heard voices yelling and approaching as Albanus slammed the door open. The vehicle lurched as Roman floored the gas pedal. Finally, someone recognized the abduction. It was too late to stop them, though.

The sound of the tear of tape took her from her thoughts. The sinister smirk on Albanus’ face as he dangled the piece of duct tape in front of her angered her. She jabbed, striking him in the nose. He caught hold of her wrist and wrestled her to the filthy, rusted floor of the van. She fought as hard as she could to escape him.

“Get her under control,” Roman demanded.

She gasped in pain as her arms were pinned together behind her back and wrapped together in duct tape. Albanus yanked her up in a sitting position and then bound her ankles.

He wiped the blood dripping from his nose off with the back of his hand. “Let’s take our time. I’d like to feast on this pretty bitch. Pain in the ass.”

“You know we can’t do that,” Roman replied. “Atticus needs her for bait to lure Josiah to him. Hallow won’t allow anything to happen to her. Not that he has a choice. Our line can’t continue with a mortal bitch in the way. It’s already tainted as is.”

Albanus squatted as he made his way to the passenger seat. “Still.”

Roman patted him on the knee. “Soon. Soon you can have your way with her.”

Both men grinned at each other before Roman returned his focus to the road. Sarah bit her lower lip to keep from screaming. Have his way with her? Feast on her? What was wrong with these two? She laid her head back against the panel of the van. It was going to be a long ride. She just hoped they were right. She needed Josiah more than ever. Hopefully, he needed her just as much as she did him.

»»•««

Micah stared, puzzled, at his cell. The text he received didn’t make sense. He wandered from his bedroom to the office he shared with Eve. He expected her to be at the computer. She was either there or nestled on the couch when she was home. That was, unless she was lying beneath him with him buried to the hilt inside her. But even that was happening less and less.

Instead, he found her staring at the walls. She bit her lower lip, a trait she did when she was anxious. She seemed to be nervous on a regular basis now. And sick. It just didn’t make sense.

He coughed to announce his presence. She jumped out of her skin. He shook his head and spoke. “Have you seen Joe?”

“Not since he left this morning,” Eve answered. “Why?”

Before he could answer, there was a furious knock on the door. Before Micah could call out to whoever it was, the door was almost torn off its hinges. Caleb and Samuel stormed inside. “We got a text from Joe.”

“Me too,” Micah answered.

“I can’t believe those sons of bitches took off with her.”

“Who?” Eve questioned as she wandered from the office into the living room.

Micah handed her his phone. “The bloodsuckers. They’re heading to Connecticut with Sarah. Joe’s going after her.”

“He needs our help,” Samuel added.

“I know.” Micah rubbed his bow for a moment. “Get the other boys. We’re leaving in ten minutes.”

“See you in a bit.” Caleb nodded and then followed Samuel out of the cabin. Micah turned to his mate to find her gaze locked on the screen. “Eve?”

“Something isn’t right. Joe doesn’t text like this. He hates it when people abbreviate their words in a text. This one is full of it.”

Micah took the phone from her hands. “His mate was just abducted by a bunch of vampires. He probably dictated into the phone.”

“Still, the phone…”

Micah silenced her with a kiss. “I don’t have time to debate this. I’ll see you in a few days. And maybe we can talk about what’s going on with you when I get back. I love you.”

He turned and strode out the door. He heard her call “I love you” as he walked away.

»»•««

Eve frowned as she watched her husband and his brothers climb into Micah’s Jeep and Caleb’s truck. It wasn’t that Micah basically dismissed her without letting her get a word in before he left. She knew she’d been cold. She just had a few more days, and then she would be ready to tell him that they were having a baby. She was already showing a bit, even though it was a little early.

No, there was something with that text. It was Josiah’s number, but it wasn’t him. It was like someone spoofed his number.

She gasped out loud then near sprinted back inside to the computer. Her fingers flew across the keyboard. Websites popped up and then disappeared. Black screens followed. Then additional sites, ones not meant for her eyes, appeared.

She caught something move out of the corner of her eye. She looked up to find Meg in the doorway with Ruby in her arms. Delilah and Henry were slipping in behind them.

“Cay said they’re heading to Connecticut,” Meg said as she held Ruby close to her. “Something about Josiah’s mate getting kidnapped by the vamps.”

“They are,” Eve answered. “But I don’t think Josiah sent it.” She stroked the keys a couple more times. “Shit. Holy shit.”

“What did you find?” Henry asked as they all filed in behind her to look at the screen.

Eve pointed at the website. “This is Josiah’s actual text. He did text his brothers. But he’s heading to Maine. Roman Lycan kidnapped Sarah. Not the vampires. His text was blocked.”

“Roman Lycan?” Delilah questioned.

“A werewolf who fought Micah after we mated. He’s who Mike beat for the Middleweight belt. Roman was sent by Atticus to bring the boys to Maine. And before you ask, Atticus is our grandfather-in-law. Zane’s dad.”

“Why would Atticus send his grandsons to face the vampires?” Meg questioned.

“Give me a second.” Eve started typing again. The screen changed over and over again. She slammed her fists on the desk. “The text to the other six came from Connecticut. The vamps are jamming the phones and spoofing numbers. They’re probably jamming ours too.”

Delilah looked at Henry. “Don’t text Sam. Call him. Tell him Joe is headed to Maine.”

Henry nodded and tapped on his cell. He waited for a moment but then ended the call. “I got a disconnect notice.”

“Did you dial the right number?” Meg questioned.

Henry held up his phone. “Sam is on speed dial. It worked last night.”

“What does this all mean?” Delilah demanded.

Eve sat back in her chair. “It means the Hallows are gone. We are alone.”

“And we’re sitting ducks for a vampire attack,” Henry added.

Eve leaped to her feet as the four of them raced out the front door. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Littlefoot’s truck outside Momma’s cabin. They hopped up the porch stairs and stormed inside. Momma and Littlefoot sat in the living room, each holding a tiny china teacup. A pot of tea was settled on the coffee table.

“What in blazes are you four doing?” Momma demanded.

“We’ve got to go,” Henry answered.

“What are you talking about?”

“Mike, Cay, Sam, Josh, Zeke, and Abe are going in the wrong direction,” Eve answered. “The vampires sent them to Connecticut. Joe is headed to Maine to Atticus. I hacked the cell phone company and looked into our accounts. They even jammed our phones. Without the brothers here, they’ll come look for the amulet and Henry.”

Littlefoot rose to his feet. “Neither can be here when they arrive.”

“So where are we going?” Delilah asked.

“We’ll be safe on the reservation,” Littlefoot replied.

Meg shook her head. “We have to go to Maine. Joe is on his own against a very large pack of werewolves. The six have each other.”

Littlefoot was silent for a moment. “I agree. Let’s get to the reservation first. I’ll get my nephews. You three ladies should stay behind.”

“Fuck that.” Eve crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not leaving my brother high and dry.”

“The baby, Eve.”

She gritted her teeth. “We’re going with you.”

Littlefoot shook his head. Then he offered his hand to Momma to help her to her feet. “Evelyn, go get the amulet. You don’t have time to pack. We have to clear out.”

“All right.” Momma glanced at each of them, confused, before she hurried into her bedroom.

“The rest of you grab your passports,” Littlefoot ordered.

“Got it,” Delilah and Henry replied.

“Sure,” Meg agreed.

“Don’t have one,” Eve said.

Littlefoot shook his head. “Then we go south and hope Joe did too.”

“I’m going to get Ruby’s diaper bag.” Meg cradled her daughter closer as she scampered out the door.

“If we’re going to go after Joe, how do we find him?” Henry inquired.

“Our communications are blocked, but I’ll bet our GPS systems aren’t,” Eve answered. “I’ll get his coordinates, and we’ll follow him. You and Delilah can meet me at Sam’s truck in five minutes. Meg and Ruby can ride with Momma and Littlefoot. See you at the cars in a bit.”

She hurried across the camp back to her cabin. It only took her a minute or two to track Josiah’s GPS. She was right. He was nearly to the Twin Cities. She synced the coordinates to her phone and then ran to the truck. Henry and Delilah were waiting for her. Littlefoot’s truck was just disappearing down the lane into the trees.

“Littlefoot said to stop at Sharky’s for gas,” Henry told her.

Eve nodded. She slumped against the door as he fired on the motor. The camp faded away behind them as they plunged into the forest.

The trip through the forest always seemed to take forever. Eve was glad when the trees broke, and sunshine filled the cabin of the truck. Littlefoot’s truck was already parked alongside the ancient gas pump. He and the older man with slicked-back hair and overalls stood outside.

Henry pulled up to the other side of the pump. He, Delilah, and Eve jumped out. Before he could touch the gas cap, Sharky waved him away. “Meester Hakimi, ye let me do that. Ye three kids go get a soda from the shop. Get one for Meggie too, will ye?”

Henry raised his hands in surrender as he backed away. “Of course, Sharky. I know better.”

Eve kissed the top of Sharky’s head. Sharky had given her a place to sleep when she had no place to go. The old man had a special place in her heart. “Thanks, Sharky.”

She saw him blush as she hurried after Henry and Delilah into the garage.