“She needs to get warm. Take your clothes off so your body heat can warm her. I’m going to get more blankets and turn on the heater.”
Barron’s eyes shone icy blue for only a split second more before fading when he seemed to grasp what Brandt was saying. He gently moved Emmalyn off his lap and quickly stripped down, then picked her up and put her back on his lap before wrapping them both in the blanket Brandt had brought with them from the garage.
Brandt was back almost immediately with all the covers they’d stripped from Hellen’s bed earlier and left in a pile.
“This blanket… it smells like Hellen, but not,” Barron said, pushing the blanket Brandt had brought in from the garage, away from himself and Emmalyn.
“What do you mean?”
Brandt picked it up with one hand and held it to his face. “It even smells like Hellen’s soap…” he shook his head as he held out the suspicious smelling blanket. “This is the reason we couldn’t find the bastard!” he said angrily, realizing what had happened. “He’s been hiding out here, in Hellen’s house, using Hellen’s shower. Obviously even using this blanket, that already smells like Hellen. He unintentionally masked his scent by hiding out here in Hellen’s home and using her stuff!” Brandt snarled, tossing the blanket away from him.
“How would he know to alter his scent?” Barron asked.
“He didn’t! He just fucking lucked into it while hiding out here!” Brandt growled.
“She’s cold,” Barron said, trying to hold Emmalyn closer, more concerned about Emmalyn than figuring out why they couldn’t scent the stalker.
Brandt nodded as he started piling all the rest of the bedding from Hellen’s bed on and around Barron and Emmalyn. He tucked them in tightly. “There you go. That should start warming her.”
The last thing in his arms was a lightweight decorative bed spread he’d grabbed along with all the rest when gathering the bedding they’d pulled off Hellen’s bed. Brandt draped it over their heads, completely enclosing them. “Hold her close. Use your hands to rub her skin. Especially her fingers and toes. They will have gotten coldest,” he said as he rushed around the living room opening all the vents so the heated air would pour into the room.
Barron didn’t answer, but Brandt could see movement beneath the mountain of blankets and comforters he’d piled on top of them and knew Barron was trying.
“Shower?” Barron’s muffled voice asked from beneath the blankets.
“I’m afraid it would damage her skin if it’s frozen. Can you feel her heartbeat?”
After a few moments of quietness, Barron answered. “No,” he whispered.
“I’m calling Daisy. She’s a healer.”
“Call Bam. Call Tempest. Call every fucking body!” Barron bellowed, as he held her more tightly to himself and began rocking and sobbing again.
Brandt sent out the call, and it wasn’t long before everybody, and I do mean everybody from both generations answered it.
Havoc and Analise arrived almost immediately with Ronan in tow.
Brandt looked behind them, then at Havoc questioningly.
“My Mom and Dad were at the house. They’ve got Harley.”
“I want to see my sister, let me see if I can wake her,” Analise said tearfully.
Brandt shook his head, as Havoc held her back. “Not now. Barron’s trying to warm her. Best you can do is wait,” Havoc said.
Analise’s face turned to tears and she started crying.
Kiernan and his brother tapped lightly on the door then opened it and stepped inside.
“What can we do?” Kiernan asked.
“Stay with your family. Make sure they’re safe,” Brandt said.
“No. This is our clan now, too. We’re not standing by while everybody else keeps us safe.”
“Alright. Remi’s hunting whoever did this. Let him know you’re coming. See if you can help,” Brandt said.
“I’ll go stay with your family until you get back,” Ronan offered.
