The sheriff stepped onto the porch hard.
“What the hell does that mean?”
But Shepherd ignored him completely.
All his focus stayed locked on Flick.
“You ever wonder why your father kept moving you?” he asked softly.
“No,” I said sharply. “You talk to me.”
A small smile touched his mouth.
“There’s the problem, Blaze.” His gaze returned to mine. “You think this was ever about you.”
The storm cracked violently overhead.
Lightning flashed across the ranch?—
and suddenly I saw movement near the fence line behind Shepherd.
Two shadows.
Armed.
Damn it.
“CONTACT LEFT!” Wolf roared instantly.
Gunfire exploded.
Everybody moved at once.
I spun fast?—
grabbing Flick against me as bullets ripped across the porch railing.
Wood shattered everywhere.
The sheriff returned fire from the doorway.
Trigger came around the side of the house like an absolute maniac already shooting.
One of the Hollow Men dropped instantly.
The second disappeared into the darkness.
But Shepherd?
Gone.
Vanished.
Like he’d dissolved into the storm itself.
“Damn it!” Wolf shouted.
I scanned the ranch wildly.
