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I raced to my bedroom where I stored the weapons. Gunfire exploded in the distance. What the hell? Where did they acquire guns?

I knew the answer before I’d even finished the question.

Clement, that rat bastard. I wasn’t sure how, but I felt in my bones that he’d managed to hide more weapons from me—and now he’d partnered with Keith. Or Keith had manipulated Clement into sharing the bounty.

Either way, the situation was dire. Everyone I’d pledged to protect was now in danger, including those who brandished weapons.

The staccato sound of rapid gunfire shook me to my core. When I finally got my hands on Keith—and Clement—they would both regret their choices.

I strapped as many weapons to my body as I could fit. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I yanked it free. Incoming call from Vale.

“I’m okay,” I shouted, suddenly feeling like a Neighbor who didn’t understand how phones worked.

“Where did they get weapons?” Vale asked.

“A guy named Clement, but at this point I don’t know if Clement was mind-whipped into distributing them or he volunteered.” He’d still lied about the weapons, though.

“I recognize a few of them, Maya. They’re shooting at my people.”

I understood what was left unsaid. Vale would do what was necessary to protect his own.

And so would I.

I left the cottage and flew toward the sound of gunfire. My heart rapped against my ribcage like a panicked bird trying to escape its cage. I landed behind a hedgerow to get the lay of the land before I dove headfirst into danger.

My phone vibrated again. This time Justine’s name flashed onscreen.

“Do you have any idea where I currently am?” she seethed.

“In a waterfront bar with a handsome date?”

“I’m currently hiding under my bed while maniacs run rampant over this island. Where are you?”

“I’m on the way. I had to gather reinforcements.”

“Where is Penny?”

I couldn’t tell her that I sent Penny to Laurel’s cabin for her own safety. She wouldn’t understand and I didn’t have time to explain.

“I don’t know. Hopefully safe.”

“Don’t make me implement Code X. I like this job, Maya. I have no desire to lose it.”

My blood iced over. Code X meant forced evacuation. I agreed that would be a disaster.

“I’ll take care of this.”

“You’d better. Call me when you’ve got things under control.”

At least Justine wasn’t under the thrall of Keith. For once, I was grateful for misogyny. If he’d bothered to manipulate all the competent women first, I’d have a much tougher fight ahead of me.

I crept along the border until I reached a gap large enough to see through. Palmetto Square was a battlefield. Werewolves were either in their animal form or wielding weapons. Not just guns either. They were armed to the fangs with all manner of blades.

There were no bodies on the ground.

Yet.

I started forward, my back still hunched.