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We waited for a few more slightly awkward moments. Well, they were awkward for me, but I was pretty sure I heard her chuckle under her breath more than once.
In the grand scheme of things, I was a late starter in a lot of ways, so maybe she had nothing to worry about.
Dorian came racing back to invite us to his house where Byron, Amelia, Nathan, and Perdita were already waiting for us.
They greeted us warmly, and we gathered around the kitchen table together. The room felt a lot smaller with all of us there, yet cosy and safe, too.
“I should have come up with the idea earlier,” Byron said apologetically. “With everything going on, it completely slipped my mind that we could accompany you to the station as witnesses.”
“We weren’t planning on asking you,” Mam said. “It might be better for you all if you kept out of it.”
“No way,” Amelia said. “The more witnesses, the better.”
“I should go along with them by myself, at least this time,” Byron said. “Make sure tensions don’t get too high.” He looked at Mam. “When are you planning on going? I’ll accompany you anytime. Just let me know in advance.”
“Thanks,” I said when Mam hesitated. “I heard people in town are talking about all of this, even the Neighbourhood Watch. The police can’t ignore us anymore. We should take advantage of that.”
Mam frowned at me, but in the end, she agreed to accept Byron’s help.
The Sergeant sighed. “Another incident.”He looked Byron over. “And you’re here because?”
“I’m a witness,” Byron said steadily. “These people threatened the entire town when they didn’t get their way. I don’t know what they’re capable of, but the man seemed unstable to me. I don’t want any problems, no more than you do. If you don’t at least appear to help this girl, people in town will place blame on you if anything goes wrong.”
The policeman rubbed his temples. “Fine, fine. I’ll take new statements, and we’ll try to increase patrols, maybe bring more awareness to the community.” He lifted his head to look at my parents. “But there’s only so much I can do. We don’t have the resources to watch over your home.”
“No need to worry,” Byron said. “We have plenty of volunteers.”
The man shook his head. “Are you trying to ruin my day? We both know what that means. No violence!”
“We have no plans to start trouble,” Byron said. “Only protect the neighbourhood, like everybody else.”
“We do this the right way,” the policeman insisted. “No trouble. Please, for the love of God, do not make me write up any strange reports this time.”
“I have no idea what you mean,” Byron said evenly. “Potential child kidnappers are targeting this town. Everybody here has a responsibility to protect the young, don’t you think?”
They went back and forth for a while. Eventually, we had all given statements and were able to leave once Byron agreed to cooperate with the Neighbourhood Watch. I didn’t think the police could do much, but at least they were listening. As we left, I couldn’t help but look at Byron Evans with a little awe. He had completely taken control of the situation at the station, with the harbingers, and any time anyone needed help, it seemed. He was becoming a trusted adult to me, somebody who could be relied upon, no matter what. I understood why Dorian and the others chose to follow him. What I couldn’t understand was why the local police had such a problem seeing the good in Byron and his people.
CHAPTER16
Dorian
Amelia poppedover bright and early in the morning. When she noticed Victor sitting at the kitchen table, head bowed as though he were pretending not to exist, she beamed. “Good, you can come along, too.”
He looked up from his cereal, fear in his eyes. “Why?”
“Why,” she scoffed. “I haven’t even told you where yet.”
“What’s going on?” Perdita asked her. “Do you need the boys to move furniture again for Jeremy and Zara?”
“No, no, nothing like that. He’d only say he could do a better job himself anyway, the giant knob.” Amelia twisted her mouth into a silent snarl. “I got a shipment in. I’ve been in contact with many people I’ve met over the years, plus Byron offered up a room, so we’re ready for next-level research. I need helpers. I’m thinking these two and Margo will do.”
“Did Byron make you pick us to keep us out of the way?” I asked, already suspicious.
She put her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing silver. “Do you want to help or not?”
I couldn’t look at her when her magic flared through her gaze. “Fine.”
“Great,” she said brightly. “Perdita, I’ll bring you lunch today, so don’t let Evelyn butt in, okay?”
