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Vale’s question gave me an idea. “I’ll be right back. I’d like to speak to Ben for a minute.”

I trotted through the backyard and skirted the house to knock at the front door.

“Did you catch it?” Ben asked; his face was ghostly pale. His newborn son slept in a sling against his chest.

“Not yet,” I said. “We’re trying.”

Ben flinched. “You’re Maya, right?”

“Yes.” I smiled at the baby. “How’s the little guy doing?”

Ben cast a forlorn look at his son. “Missing his mama. So am I.”

“Would you mind if I borrow you and your son for a minute? I have a theory I’d like to test.”

“If it helps you slay the monster, then I have as many minutes as you need.”

“I know you’re not supposed to wake a sleeping baby⁠—”

On cue, the infant opened his eyes and pinned me with a hard stare that rivaled Meemaw’s.

Ben chuckled. “The doctor said he’s incredibly alert for his age. Takes after his mother, as my parents will tell you.”

“Let’s go to the backyard. We caught a glimpse of the monster’s horns, but it disappeared when it realized we were there.”

Ben recoiled. “I’m not taking my son out there with the monster that close.”

“I’d like to use you as bait,” I said. “There’s a reason the monster has refused to vacate this area. At first, we thought there was a nest nearby or a food source, but I’m beginning to think it has something to do with you.”

Ben’s expression turned pained. “What could it possibly have to do with me?”

“That’s what I’d like to figure out, but I can’t do it without you.”

Ben gazed adoringly at his infant son. “His mother wouldn’t want us living in fear for the rest of our lives. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“Thought you might say that.”

We joined the rest of the party at the edge of the marsh. The baby had fallen back asleep, which was incredible given the noises the Chrises were making.

“He’s a cutie,” Chris 1 said.

Ben wrapped his arms around the infant when he noticed the vampire’s fangs.

“Don’t worry,” Chris 1 told him. “I don’t have a taste for human blood.” He sniffed the baby. “And this little guy smells like a human wrapped in seaweed anyway. I’m not into sushi.”

“He probably needs a diaper change,” Chris 2 said.

Cowboy stepped closer and scented the air close to the child. “Chris is right.”

“I can take him back and change him,” Ben said.

“Not Chris 2. Chris 1.” Cowboy inhaled more deeply. “Your son doesn’t smell entirely human.”

Ben stared at his son. “I don’t understand. My wife and I are…She was…My son is human.” He backed away from the curious vampires. “This was a mistake. I’m going back inside.”

Ben hurried toward the house, keeping a tight grip on the sling.

Chris 1 stared after them. “What did I say?”