a funny noise. I'm not kidding around with you over this issue. I want your word that you'll call me. You have my private number as well as the number to the office and 911."
"Jonas, don't worry, we'll be fine. I'm very good at what I do," Sarah said with complete confidence.
Jonas took a step toward her, very reminiscent of a stalking panther. Damon was grateful he was too old to be intimidated.
"I want your word. Every one of you."
Damon nodded. "I have to agree with Harrington. These men tortured us. They don't play around. I'll admit when I'm around you, I feel magic in the air, but these men are evil and capable of torture and murder. I have to know you're all safe or I'll have to leave this town."
"Damon!" Sarah looked stricken. “They'll just follow you."
Worse, he would carry Death with him wherever he chose to go. "Then cooperate with the sheriff. Give him whatever he needs to stop these men." As ridiculous as it seemed when he'd just met her, Damon couldn't bear the thought of leaving Sarah, but he wasn't about to risk her life.
"I don't mind calling you, Jonas," Kate said readily.
Abbey held up her hand. "I'm in."
Sarah nodded. "I'm always grateful for help from the local law."
All eyes turned to Hannah. She shrugged indifferently.
"Whatever helps Damon, I'm willing to do."
Jonas ignored the grudge in her voice and nodded. "I want all of you to watch your step. Be aware of your surroundings and any strangers. Keep those dogs close and lock up the house!"
"We're all over it," Sarah agreed. "Really, Jonas, we don't want any part of men with guns. We'll call you even if the cat meows."
He looked a little mollified. "I'll want extra patrols around here as well as around Damon's house, Sarah."
"Well, of course, Jonas," Sarah agreed.
"It will give me every opportunity to make friends with them," Hannah said. "I don't know many of the new people in town."
Jonas glared at her. "You and your slinky body can just stay away from my deputies."
Hannah made a face at him, raised her hand to push at the hair spilling across her face. An icy wind rushed through the room, giving life to the curtains, so that they danced in a macabre fashion, fluttering, reaching toward Jonas as if to bind him in the thick folds.
Sarah glimpsed a dark shadow moving within the drapes.
Her hands went up in a casual, graceful wave. Kate and Abbey followed the gentle movements with their own. The wind died abruptly and the curtains dropped into place.
Damon cleared his throat. "Does someone want to tell me what happened?"
Jonas shook his head. "Never be dumb enough to ask for an explanation from any of them, Damon. You might get it and your hair will turn gray." His gaze swung to Hannah.
"Don't even think about it. Ladies, I can find my own way out."
Damon didn't take his eyes from Sarah. She was looking at Hannah and there was accusation in her gaze. Out of the comer of his eye, he could see Abbey and Kate doing the same thing.
Hannah threw her hands into the air. "I wasn't thinking, okay? I'm sorry."
The silence lengthened, disapproval thick in the room.
Hannah sighed. "I really am sorry. I forgot for just a moment about Dea—" She broke off abruptly, her gaze shifting to Damon. "About the other thing we're dealing with. It won't happen again."
"It better not," Sarah said. "You can't afford to forget for one moment. This is too dangerous, Hannah."
"Wait a minute," Damon interrupted. "If you're talking about me and those men the other night, I don't want your family involved in any way."
"The men?" Kate raised her eyebrow. "Not in the least, Damon, didn't give them a thought. There are things far more dangerous than human beings."
He watched the four women exchange long knowing looks and was exasperated. They knew something he didn't. Something regarding him. "I can understand why poor Harrington gets so frustrated with you."
Sarah rose and blew him a kiss. "He loves all seven of us.
He just likes to puff out his
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