Page 56 of Vampire's Cupcake
"I turned around and hurried back, not wanting to be out and about if people were shooting in the streets.I almost collided with Lisa-Mae."He fell silent for a second, not sure if there was any use in asking for favors."Lisa-Mae is a good woman.She'd never do anything to hurt the others."
Thano's eyes narrowed.
"There are good people here, Thano."
"We need to head back."Thano turned to Alice."Drive him to the ranch.I'll shadow walk."Then he was gone.Could he walk through walls?He looked at Alice, then the door sounded.Whether he could go through walls or not, he didn't this time.
"Better pack a bag."Alice gave him a wobbly smile.
"You think?"He took a step in the direction of his bedroom only to turn back."What about my animals?"
Alice filled her cheeks with air."We'll bring them."
"Chickens and rabbits?"
She shrugged."If I were you, I'd bring them.If they'll level Last Hope to the ground, I'd love for there to be eggs in the aftermath.While you pack, I think I'll run home and grab my seeds."
Eli stared at her."You think this is the end?"
"I think Thano will be at The Moonlight Ranch in a few minutes, he'll call the crows, and if someone is missing, I think we better be on the road back before they can gather everyone and head here."
He nodded, but he couldn't help but think about Lisa-Mae, Rosie, and Elijah.There were more people he cared about, but those were the ones who he was certain feared the direction the board was taking.
"Let's go, Eli.We have one chance to get out, we better take it."
He gave her one curt nod and headed to the bedroom to pack.
* * * *
Thano had never traveled between Last Hope and The Moonlight Ranch as fast as he did now.When he appeared on the gravel road between the rickety cabins in front of Romeo's, he didn't take more than a second to catch his breath.
"Crows!"He called as loudly as he could, and Ciar and Draven tumbled out of Romeo's house shortly followed by Romeo, Lorenzo, Teresa, and Maria.Humbert rushed out of the forest.Thano ignored them all and scanned the sky.
A black form came flying directly toward him between the tree trunks.They only slowed when they were out in the open.It landed on the gravel and shifted."Thano?"Lark tilted her head as if she was still in crow form.
"Is anyone missing?"
Before she could reply more crows came flying.Fala landed next to Lark and shifted.There was a gasp from the terrace, he couldn't tell if it was Lorenzo, Teresa, or Maria, but he didn't care.They were at The Moonlight Ranch.This was wild country.
"Are you missing anyone?"He focused on Fala since she was the leader.
She gave a slow shake of her head, but the look in her eye was uncertain."I don't think so."She turned and faced the murder that had settled in the nearby trees."Is anyone missing?"
There were several low caws while they waited.Seconds went by while Fala made eye contact with several of the birds.Thano couldn't tell them apart when they were in crow form.
"No one is missing."
The air fit in his lungs again."No one is allowed to go into Last Hope, no one with feathers."
Several grating coos rose to the sky, but Thano ignored them."Is Raven here?"
One of the crows took to the air, which Thano interpreted as they were going to get her.
"Thano."Romeo stepped off the terrace and walked up to him."What's going on?"
"I'll tell everyone once Raven is here."
A handful of crows lifted from the branches and flew in different directions.
