“Things are going to change.” It was a promise.

“What do you want us to do?” Xelor stayed on his knees.

“I don’t trust you yet,” Lorn said. “Go home and stay there. Don’t come out.”

“We could help,” Xelor offered.

“I’d never ask you to help kill your own flesh and blood. I’m not heartless.” Lorn glanced at his own brother. It would destroy him to have to fight Lavos. He addressed Xelor again. “Do what I said. Go home.”

“Nabby will send for me to help him, even come for me. He’ll kill me when I refuse.”

Lorn knew that was the truth. “Go inside the lodge then. Keep the peace—and no fighting. Don’t bully anyone. That bullshit is over forever. You protect the weaker now.”

“I didn’t enjoy it. I was under orders. Nabby wanted the youths injured, so they couldn’t help their fathers defend their mothers and siblings if he had to punish any of them to keep everyone in line.”

Rage seeped out of Lorn’s every pore. “You defend them now. Understood? No one touches the children, the youths, or the females.”

“I swear.” Xelor rose to his feet.

“Xelor?” Lorn locked gazes with him. “You betray me and you won’t have a fast death. Do you understand? I’ll strip your skin an inch at a time. You’ll beg for death but you won’t have it for days.” He looked at Marlo. “The same for you.”

“I do have honor.” Xelor blew out a breath. “So does Marlo. You know how Nabby is. That’s why he sent Yenis with us. To make certain we were following his orders. I’ll be grateful when Nabby is gone. I know that makes me a bad brother but he terrorized me my entire life.” Anger deepened his voice. “I have no love for him, but I’ve had plenty of fear. He swore he’d kill Millie if I didn’t do as he said. And he would. He has no heart.”

Lorn cocked his head. “Millie?” The submissive VampLycan helped care for the youngest members of the clan. She was also Marlo’s younger sister.

“She’s my true mate. I’ve known for two years and Nabby has used her against me. He refused to allow me to claim her.”

“Nabby threatens me with her death too,” Marlo admitted. “I had to do as he said or lose my sister. What choice did we have?”

Lorn hated Nabby even more. “Where is she?”

“Inside the lodge,” Xelor answered. “She wanted to help keep the children amused so they aren’t afraid.”

“Go inside. Guard them all.”

Both VampLycans spun, walking away. Lorn jerked his head at Garson. “Go with them.”

“I can fight,” Garson argued. “I don’t like to but that doesn’t mean I’m not good at it.”

“I’m aware,” Lorn admitted. “But neither of them realize that. They mistake your laid-back attitude for a weakness. I meant no offense. I’m trusting you to keep them in line. Kill them if they betray us. I know you can take them both out if the need arises. Warn the woman about what’s going down and enlist their help to defend the lodge against clan enemies. Nothing is fiercer than a bitch protecting her pups.”

Garson grinned. “Very true. Thank you. I’m all over this job.” He rushed after the other men.

Lavos studied Yenis’s body. “That was impressive. I’ve never seen someone’s heart ripped out before. He’s not coming back from that.”

“He pissed me off.”

“Never talk shit about Kira. Yeah.” Lavos snorted. “Everyone knows better than to do that.”

“Damn straight.” Lorn bent and wiped his bloodied hands on grass.

“Lorn?”

He stood and turned, staring at Lavos. “What?”

“Are you doing okay?”

“I don’t enjoy killing.”

“I’d worry if you did. This is necessary. Remember that.”

“I’d do anything for Kira. Every death of our enemies will assure that she’s safe with this clan.”

“I’m just checking to make certain your mindset is where it needs to be.”

“Stop. It’s wasting time we don’t have. I’d like to surprise Nabby before he can assemble a group of Decker supporters. It’s best if we take them on in smaller numbers.”

A sound made them both jerk to the right, peering into the woods. The sight of Kar rushing at them had Lorn moving to meet the VampLycan.

Kar stopped, sweat coating his skin and his breathing a little heavy. It spoke of how much energy he’d used to reach them.

“Kira?” Lorn snarled the question.

“Fine. She sent me to you.”

“I told you to guard her.”

“She fed off a moose and is locked back inside your den.” Kar caught his breath. “She was going to come if I didn’t. She thinks you need backup.”

Lavos chuckled.

Lorn glared at him. “You think that is funny?”

“Yes. You’re worried about her and she’s worried about you. True love. She’s also right. Your den is safe. We do need an extra fighter. Thanks for coming, Kar.”

“No prob. Where’s Garson?”

“Inside the lodge, babysitting,” Lavos answered.

Lorn wanted to send Kar back but knew Lavos was right. The only people who knew the area his den was located wouldn’t betray him. Davis would do anything to keep his daughter safe. Kar and Lavos were needed to fight at his side.

“Let’s find Nabby and then deal with the elders.” He glanced at Kar. “Thank you for taking care of Kira.”

“She’s the same. You called it. I was afraid the Vampire genes would change her personality. I had to bleed the moose a little just to get her to bite and she still worried she might have hurt the beast. She’s as kindhearted as ever. I had to assure her it was absolutely fine. The big boy probably gets more injured brushing up against branches than what she did to him.”

“She’s part VampLycan. I had faith that her father’s Lycan blood would spare her the fate of turning cold.” Lorn was glad he’d been right.

“Enough about Kira. We’ve established she’s fine.” Lavos sniffed the air. “Nabby.”

Lorn picked up the scent too. “Let’s go say hello.”