Page 33 of New Nebraska Home

“What kind of prank?” The officer asked.

“You see this kid, I didn’t get his name but I do have—” I got up and retrieved my phone from the counter and pulled up a photo I took. I gave it to the officer while I continued. “He threw a brick through the front window.”

“The one boarded up?” he asked, taking my phone.

“Yes, sir.” I answered before Brock could say something smart. “There was a message on it, and I guess the kid didn’t realize that I had my lodgers staying here and he thought it was just me and my brother.”

“Where is this, brother?”

“Leif’s asleep in his room. He had a late night with candy and movies after all the excitement. He’s only seven.” I smiled so wide my cheeks ached. “Anyway. I think this poor misguided kid was just bored and causing a bit of mischief.”

“Why didn’t you call us?”

“Well, I didn’t want to be a bother. I am sure you all have much more important things to do. Later this afternoon, I was going to stop by the station and make a report.”

“You want to press charges?” The officer clarified.

“Oh, lord no. I just wanted there to be a report in case it wasn’t a one-off bit of childish foolishness.”

The way he glared at me, with a mix of disdain and flat-out hostility, made sweat drip down my spine. When he pulled a pen and pad of paper from his breast pocket, I noticed a pin. It looked like a new age take on the Freemason compass. Under the compass were the words “The Temple.”

Now I understood the hostility. He hated me for what I was, what my brother was. No amount of playing stupid would have saved me, and I was so grateful all three men decided to stay.

I shot Cal a look, and he raised an eyebrow as if to ask if I understood yet. I gave him a subtle nod.

“Well, the kid you say threw a brick through your window is accusing one of you of being a fire elemental who burned him. Is that you?” The cop looked at Brock.

“No, sir. I’m a water elemental.” As if to demonstrate, Brock waved his hand, and the little puddle of condensation that had gathered under the cop’s glass floated up into the air and deposited itself into the sink.

“How about you?” He looked at Cal, who rolled his eyes as if it wasn’t obvious and showed his fangs. A shock of pleasure raced through my body as I remembered how it felt to have those fangs biting me.

The cop cleared his throat and looked at me with his palms outspread. “And you?”

“Oh, I’m just a plain old human. There’s nothing special about me at all.”

He grunted again and looked at Malik.

“Shifter,” Malik answered, matching the cop’s gruff energy.

“So none of y’all know how that kid got a burn on his chest?” He eyed us all one by one.

“No, sir,” I said.

“He’s a fire elemental,” Brock said, not bothering to hide his annoyance. “Most fire elements can’t be burned without their permission. Maybe he did it to himself so he could play victim, or maybe he has some kink he didn’t want to tell you about, and it went bad. Now he’s embarrassed.”

“What does any of this have to do with the dead elemental?” Cal asked.

“Whatever I say it does, son.” The cop glared, the red around his eyes becoming more prominent. “Seems awfully suspicious. A loner shifter, a covenless vampire, and some half-baked water elemental, all living with some human hussy.”

The second he insulted me, all three men were on their feet, towering over the officer.

Cal took the lead and leaned over the table, glaring at the officer. I had no idea what was happening, but sweat beaded on the officer’s forehead and ran down his face in rivers.

“Listen to me carefully,” Cal said, his voice taking on a different tone. It was smooth, melodic, almost soothing, but cut with rage. “I’m a master vampire, the strongest in my generation. I’ve forgotten more about the arcane arts than grunts like you will ever know. You will show the deference to my station. My friends here are as strong as I am, and this house, this girl, and her brother are under my protection.”

“Your protection does not make them above the law.” The cop’s face started turning red.

“No laws were broken.” The red around Cal’s eyes darkened as he held the cop’s gaze captive.

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