The gate, like the well-tended white fence, was threaded with several strands of thick conductive wire. Kevin’s eyes followed the wires.
“That’s a super-serious electric fence, G-ma.”
“Yes, I am aware of that. Press the intercom, please.”
Kevin pressed the white button next to the speaker and a little red light lit up, drawing attention to the high-tech camera pointed their way.
“Who’s there?” came a woman’s sharp voice punctuated by a symphony of yapping dogs.
“Sylvia Redbird. I hear you have a litter of puppies. I’d like to take a look at them, if you still have one for sale.”
There was a pause, and then, “I see a red vampyre with you.”
Grandma Redbird slid over and stuck her head beside Kevin’s. “It’s me, Tina. This is my grandson, Kevin.”
“Red vampyres are not welcome on my property or in my home.”
“This red vampyre is different. I give you my word on it,” said Grandma.
“Of course you do. You’re under his control. No. You may not enter my property. You may not enter my home.”
“Tina, send Babos out here.”
“Dogs hate red vampyres. She’ll snarl and bark and upset the whole pack,” replied the tinny voice.
“She’s gonna love me. Promise, ma’am,” Kevin said.
“You’ll be glad you took the chance,” Grandma added.
“Fine. But when she barks and goes crazy, I’m going to be very upset with you, Sylvia. And I’m bringing my .45 with me. One false move and, grandson or not, I’ll take that vamp’s head off his neck.”
“As well you should, Tina,” replied Grandma Redbird calmly.
“Be there in a sec.”
The intercom connection clicked off as the gate swung open.
“Don’t drive onto her property,” said G-ma. “Let’s just get out of the car.” She caught his gaze with hers. “The dog is going to like you, isn’t she?”
Kevin grinned. “They used to—before I was Marked. And then at Zo’s House of Night there was this cool yellow lab named Duchess. She loved me. So, I’m thinking we’ll be fine.”
The sound of a Polaris’ motor getting closer and closer had Grandma Redbird sighing. “Well, it is too late now if we’re wrong.”
“We’re not wrong, G-ma. Watch. I can handle this part. Dogs are awesomesauce!” Kevin walked around to the front of the car and stood just outside the property line before the open gate.
The Polaris roared up, sliding to a stop in front of them. Kevin had to squint against the glare of the vehicle’s lights, but he could see a short woman—probably somewhere around his g-ma’s age. She had a crazy mane of wavy silver-gray hair with streaks of deep purples, pinks, and blues scattered through it. She was old, but her body was still trim, which was obvious because she was wearing yoga pants tucked into turquoise cowboy boots, and a sweatshirt that proclaimed KALE in Yale-styled letters. Holding a cocked .45, she got lithely out of the Polaris, followed by a small, black brindle terrier.
“Hello, Tina. This is my grandson, Kevin.”
“Good evening, ma’am,” Kevin said politely.
“We’ll see how good it is,” the old woman grumbled.
“Hey! It’s a Scottie dog!” Kevin exclaimed. “I’ve always wanted one of them. I think they’re the coolest little dogs ever.”
Tina’s green eyes studied Kevin. “You don’t sound like a red vampyre.”
“That’s because I’m a different kind of red vampyre,” he said.
“A good kind,” Grandma added.
“Impossible,” said Tina.
“Show her, u-we-tsi.”
Kevin crouched and smiled at the little terrier. “Hey there, little girl! You’re super pretty. Wanna come here and let me pet you?”
The dog studied him as carefully as the woman at her side.
“Her name is Babos.”
“Babos—that’s a cool name. Hi, Babos.” He held out his hand. “Come here, girl.”
The little dog hesitated, ears pricked at Kevin. She lifted her head and sniffed the air.
“Sorry I don’t have any treats for you. I’ll know better next time. But I promise that I’m a pretty good chin scratcher.” He made chin-scratching motions with his fingers. “Come here, Babos. Give me a try.”
The Scottie tilted her head, sniffed the air again, and then with a little huff she trotted directly to Kevin, who smiled and told her she was the smartest, prettiest, sweetest Scottie girl he’d ever seen, while he fulfilled his promise and scratched her bearded chin as she wagged her tail enthusiastically.
“Huh. Would never have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes,” said Tina. “What is he?”
“I told you. He’s my grandson. And he’s going to change everything.”
* * *
“You seriously have a Scottie ranch!” Kevin couldn’t stop himself from gawking as he and Grandma Redbird followed Tina into the sprawling ranch-style home. As they entered through the garage, a bevy of short, brick-shaped terriers, ranging in color from blond and wheat to black and black brindle, mobbed them. Kevin tried to count, but when he hit fifteen he gave up. “Um, G-ma, were you serious about the puppies? Man, I hope so.”
Tina smiled at him then—the first time she’d done more than look at him like he was a bug staked on a display board. “I don’t have puppies right now, but I will in a few weeks.”
“It’s code, u-we-tsi. Humans or blue vampyres, and even blue fledglings who are allied with the Resistance, come to Tina’s ranch and ask for puppies.”
“But what they’re really asking for is sanctuary,” Tina said.
“Hope someday I can get a puppy,” Kevin mumbled as he crouched and thoroughly enjoyed being mauled by a herd of Scottie dogs.
“Why is he different?” Tina asked.
“That, my friend, is a long story that we’d rather not take time for at this moment, as the Resistance is going to need that explanation as well. Are they here?”
Tina nodded. “On the top of the ridge. You know where the hunting blinds are, in those trees adjacent to that flat, grassy easement?”
“I do.”
“Some of them are in the blinds. Some are working on trying to expand a little cave-like area they discovered just a day or so ago among the rocks on the side of the ridge. They arrived last night, with a few refugees they need to smuggle out—mostly women and children. There’s a winter storm brewing. They thought they’d be safe on the ridge—at least for a few days.”