Sassafras wouldn't let me go off with Demetrius alone, scampering away to raise the alarm even as I hissed at him to come back. Within moments, Gram and Charlotte hovered next to me while Demetrius did a little hopping dance of frustration over the delay.

"Shenka." I met her eyes, saw her bend to scoop up Sassafras whose big amber eyes blinked slowly at me once.

I didn't have to say anything else.

"We'll hold the fort," she said. "And protect the family. No ...