Page 65 of When Monsters Rise
RUE
Therewas a huge hole in the barn roof, and the inside was wet.Itwas evident that there’d been a storm recently that had destroyed it, but with the watchers and reapers on hand, it didn’t take long to scope out the main house and get everyone situated.
Therewere a few battered sofas, four beds, and plenty of musty moth-eaten bedding to choose from.
Mostof the windows were boarded up, andBastianandTumielfound some wood in the barn to board up the windows that weren’t.
WhileSarqarranged patrols,BeeandIdid a walk-through of the place to look for any essentials that we could take with us to the church.
“Areyou all right?”Beeasked me asIstudied the contents of an upstairs wardrobe.
“I’mfine, why?”
“Gabrielis here.”
Mychest grew tight for some reason. “Yourtone suggests that his being here should be a problem.”
“Comeon,Rue, you saw howShemreacted when you huggedGabriel.Hegot all growly and possessive.”
“Hesounded more cold and distant to me.”
Shegave me a flat look.
“Shemis fine.Heknows that there’s nothing going on between me andGabriel.Heknows the bond was made to protect me.”Okay, so whenShemhad brought it up over a week ago on our journey back to the mall,I’dneedled him by sayingIcould fuck whoeverIwanted to.Ithad ended up in his staking his claim in the most primal way, butI’dbeen pissed off.Wantingto make a point.Thetruth was simple. “Idon’t have romantic feelings forGabriel.”
“Butyou’re attracted to him.”
“It’sirrelevant.It’sthe bond.ButGabrielandIcan handle it, andShem…Shemwill be fine.”Ipulled out a couple of sweaters. “Theseare in good condition.”
Beerolled her eyes. “Fine, topic closed.Handthose to me.Oooh, boots.”
Wespent another twenty minutes upstairs and gathered a few more items of winter clothing before heading down the carpeted steps to the main floor.
Thekitchen and dining room were to the left of the steps and the living room to the right.Voicesdrifted out from the kitchen, giving me pause.
“Whycan’t we stay here?” someone asked.
“Becauseit isn’t safe,”Mirareplied. “Themonsters could attack at any time.Thelonger we stay, the more chance of that happening.”
“Butwe have the watchers to protect us,” another voice piped up.
“Itonly takes one monster finding us then getting away to summon more, and even the watchers will be overwhelmed.Yousaw what happened out there.”
Mirahad it under control, it seemed.
BeeandIwandered into the lounge, which was nice and warm due to all the bodies crammed into it.
“Getthe mattresses from upstairs and make beds there.”Zaqpointed across the room. “Youfetch the bedding.”
Peoplescurried about, following his orders.
Thesofas had been moved around too.Theywere creating a safe sleeping space away from the windows.
Acouple of watchers had positioned themselves by the large, boarded-up bay windows at the front of the house.
Myskin tingled in that way that told meIwas being watched.Iturned to the arch leading to the hallway to findShemwatching me.Helifted his chin and jerked his head to the side, beckoning me.
ItappedBeeon the shoulder. “I’llbe back.”
