Page 76 of Voyage of Fury and Fate

“What’s going on?” Brayden asks. “Where did Alex go? Where are my mom and dad?”

“Alex will be back soon. He had to take a trip.” Thorne wraps an arm around the human boy. “I’ll take you to your parents.” He looks at me.“Don’t do anything you’ll regret, Elsie. Alex is smart. He knows what he’s doing.”

I wipe a tear, thinking of the things she could do to him.“Stay in contact with me, Alex.”

“I will.”His voice already sounds weaker.“The lady from the church is here. She smells like you…”his voice trails off.

“Smells like me? Alex? Alex!”

Thorne and I share a look just as Fran appears moments later, pushing a stroller and dragging two humans with her. Their pupils return to their normal size as they recognize their son.

“Brayden?” Michael asks, looking around. “How did we get back here? Where’s Alex?”

“He took a trip,” the boy answers, repeating Thorne’s words.

“How did we get back here?” June asks.

“We just walked over here,” Fran answers. “Thank you for your conversation. It was a pleasure to get to know you two. In fact, I’d like to offer you a place to stay for the night.”

“Oh, no. Thank you, but we’re heading home tomorrow,” June answers.

“I’m sorry, June. We can’t allow that to happen.” Imove closer to the family. “Brayden is in danger. If you leave New Orleans with him, we can’t guarantee his safety.”

“Danger from what?” the father asks.

“A member of our community,” Amelia says from behind. We turn, finding her standing in front of three large wolves.

“Oh, my God!” June screams, pulling Brayden to her side.

“We’re here to help you. To help him,” I say, nodding toward her son. “He’s special.”

“What do you mean?” Michael asks.

“He has an unusual ability, which will draw others to him. Others, who don’t have your son’s or your best interest in mind. There is a woman after him now,” Fran answers. “We’re not your enemy.”

“What are those?” June asks, nodding toward the wolves.

“Lycan,” Amelia answers. “And they’re vampires.” She nods in our direction.

“I knew it,” Brayden says. “Iknewyou all were something.”

TWENTY

lighthouse of horrors

“June,we need you, Michael, and Brayden to come with us.” Amelia moves closer as the lycan shift back into human form. “It’s not safe for Brayden to be out here.”

“What the hell do you mean?” Michael spews. “This is the first time I’ve ever felt unsafe while being in New Orleans.”

“Believe me, sir. We’re not the danger.” Topher moves closer.

June pulls a phone from her purse. “I’m calling the cops.”

“Don’t do that, June,” Fran says, moving closer to the young family. She steps in front of the mother, placing a hand on her arm and looking her in the eyes. “Put your phone away. The police won’t help you.” June follows the directions of Fran’s calming voice.

Fran smiles. “Good. You and Michael go back to your hotel room.”

“Not without Brayden,” Michael interrupts.

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