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"Ree" Melanie turned Ree to face her, a hand on each of her shoulders "We’re all worried for each other This is a huge deal Awe have to accos We just have to focus on e’re doing and why"

The sound of a motor drifted over the water and reached their ears Both of the sun on the boat hull Ree felt a little tension in her stomach release At least these families would be safe for now

"Tristan alanted more, Ree" Ree jerked back to look at Melanie "He hated that he went to school on scholarship He chose this, Ree You know it, and I know it He was never a bad guy; not a bully or cruel But he wanted more Maybe he didn’t understand why they wanted him Maybe he didn’t knohat it would do to him, but he chose it And we all have to accept the consequences of our decisions"

"Do you think he knew? Kneould have to kill me?" Ree lowered her voice "Did he know that the consequences would affect us too?"

"He’s the only one who knows for sure, Ree" Melanie squeezed her shoulders before letting go "It really doesn’t matter now"

Ree shook her head and looked back at the water It really didn’thers She couldn’t let the Earth fall into the dark gods’ hands Even if thata piece of herself in the process

Sighing, she headed for the dock She wanted to welcome the new people to the island, help them feel safe The closer the boat came, the ht the rope Met threw to her and tied it to one of the cleats Ree brushed her hands off when she stood and offered to help the first family off the boat

"I’, but you will be much safer here on the island" She smiled at the father, but he just looked at her hand

"Who’s in charge here?" He hopped onto the dock and held his hand out to his wife and young children

Ree looked at Met and Niall for a ht about it, but if she was being honest, she was the one in charge now And she had a feeling she needed to assert that fact right away

"That would be ht?" Ree so on to the house where you’ll bemore people and it would be easier to explain it once"

"We’re notoff of this dock until you tell me e’re here" He looked at Ree, his face stubborn "That little guy stuckabout it is because I didn’t wake up until ere on the boat"

"Uht blue eyes looked at Ree "Does this have anything to do with the va her hand rolled his eyes and the angry father cursed under his breath

"You’ve got to be kidding me"

"Actually, yes, it does" Ree s for people that have a little so extra in their blood Both of your families were at risk"

"You’re out in the sun You aren’t a vampire" Theon using us as hostages? We’re not joining any cults or worshipping ive me the keys to the boat and we’ll be out of here"

"Met? Would you mind a demonstration?" Ree nodded at the Guardian who s, Niall looked at the father and opened his leaht

"Nom, nom, nom"

Ree wanted to slap herself on the forehead, but decided it would be better to slap Niall instead Grabbing his shoulder, she pulled hi, but Ree didn’t have ti herself and her husband looked close to a heart attack

The father had taken a step back, blocking his children from view, but his expression said he clearly didn’t think Niall was all that dangerous More like he was extremely annoyed by his sense of huhed in relief Kay came into view and s over her shoulder, and so in her expression see anywhere with that little freak Not sure why you think showing o with you" He stared at Niall, but his words were for Ree

"Oh, those aren’t the bad vampires" The older woman stepped up "They have such a nice aura Even the cheeky one"

Frootten better than a slap

"Hi! Welcome to Sanctus Island!" Kay pushed her way past Niall and held her hand out to the father andany sense" The father shook Kay’s hand with a look of relief

"In charge? Oh, no That would be Ree" Kay smiled at Ree over her shoulder and moved her hand to the uys all get co sure you’re fed" She smiled at thethe man past Ree and toward the house

Ree looked at Kay, feeling surprised The woman that had popped her and Melanie’s butts with a wooden spoon for stealing cookie dough had just told everyone Ree was in charge Turning back to look at the older couple, Ree was relieved to see Melanie helping the woate the dock She s behind them He stopped and looked at Ree

"Do you have those teeth, too?" He adjusted his glasses and glared at Ree

"No sir, I don’t" Ree clasped her hands in front of her body, trying to look innocent

"Then ould you be in charge?" His gaze never wavered,