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Ezra nods. “And how to get you off the farm.”

“Yes. Both. Preferably before anything else tries to grow teeth”

Malakai says nothing.

I catch the look on his face. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh, fuck you too.”

The corner of his mouth twitches.

I hate that I like when he does that.

We leave Mariah and Ali sleeping upstairs and make our way back down.

The house is warmer. Heat hangs thick in the air, pressing against my skin the moment I step into the living room.

I tug at the collar of my shirt “Did someone turn the heat on?”

“No,” Ezra says.

“Then why does your haunted mansion feel like July?”

“It’s not haunted.”

Rhett walks past us toward the kitchen. “It is.”

Ezra points after him. “I’m going to kill him.”

“Apparently you’ve got eternity to find the right moment.”

“He’s tried.” Rhett calls from the kitchen.

I look at Ezra. His eyes close slowly.

I almost laugh then I hear it.

Scratch.

I go still. “What was that?”

All three of them freeze.

Great. I fucking love when they do that.

Scratch.

This time, it lasts longer.

A slow dragging sound beneath our feet.

Scratch. Scratch.

My attention drops to the hardwood floor.

Nothing.