the entrance to the cemetery stood Grey and the other Weaver. They hadn’t left yet, and one of them had managed to get the gate open.
“Goddammit!” Clay snarled. “Let’s move!”
Baer waited only long enough for Clay to reach him, and they both ran out of the cemetery, throwing fat, greasy rats off them as fast as they could.
“I told you to get him to safety!” Clay bellowed at Grey as soon as they reached him and the stranger.
“He refused to leave,” Grey calmly argued as they burst out of the cemetery and onto the sidewalk.
Baer gave a breathless chuckle. “You couldn’t think of some compelling reason, Mr. Mind Control?”
“Fuck you! I was more concerned with getting rid of all the bystanders when a fucking lion started running around a Savannah graveyard.”
“Hell,” Clay sighed. He was in the lead, racing down the sidewalk along the path they’d taken from Chippewa Square.
“Besides, you had four of those assholes taken care of before I could even talk to the tour group. I thought you had it under control,” Grey continued.
“Do I even want to know who the hell you people are? Lions and rats? And what the fuck is up with that smell?” the new guy asked.
“No, you probably don’t want to know who we are.” Baer turned his head and flashed a smile at his newest brother. “But I swear we’re a lot of fun.”
To his shock, the guy smiled broadly at him. “Yeah, I’m getting that impression.”
Their steps slowed to a brisk stroll when they entered the square. Clay turned and walked backward, staring in the direction of the cemetery.
“Are they following?” Grey asked.
There was a warm rush of power, and Baer couldn’t help a happy sigh. It felt good to just brush up against that energy. It wasn’t healing, but it was comforting, like a hug.
“No,” Clay softly. “There are several more in the city, but not close at the moment. We’ve got time to reach the Jeep and get home.”
“Are you guys gonna start coughing up answers?” the new guy snapped. He stood an easy six five, maybe even six six, with broad shoulders and a chest that tapered down to a narrow waist. He carried the same bossiness as Clay, but there was a hint that he might be a little quicker to smile than the Earth Weaver.
“We can, but I swear, you’re probably not gonna believe a damn word of it,” Baer said with a grin. He stuck out his least bloody hand. “Baer Manning. Great to meet you.”
The man looked at the hand and gave a little shake of his head before taking it. “Lucien Cummings. And is it weird that I feel like I know you?”
“Not at all,” Grey said, shaking Lucien’s hand. “Grey Ackles.”
“Clay Green, and we need to get to the plantation.” Clay narrowed his eyes on Lucien and pointed at him. “And you’re coming with us.”
Lucien took a step away, holding both hands up in front of him. “You know, man, I totally appreciate the assist back there, but I don’t know you and your bloody band. I ain’t going anywhere with you.”
“Grey,” Clay snapped, and the Soul Weaver turned his sharp gaze on Lucien. A chill ran through Baer. He knew that look all too well, and a little part of him felt for the newcomer.
“Those things, they are called pestilents, and they found you in Arizona. Chased you straight from Phoenix and your comfortable life. You’ve been feeling restless, and your temper has been growing short over the past year. You used the pestilents as an easy excuse to travel east. When you reached St. Louis, they found you in your hotel room. You barely made it out alive, but by the time you reached your car, you knew you had to come to Georgia. Specifically, Savannah.”
“How the fuck…” Lucien whispered.
“You were searching for us,” Clay said.
Baer reached up and clapped Lucien on the shoulder. He winced at the motion as pain shot along his shoulder and back. The gunshot. He’d totally forgotten about it in their crazy escape. Especially since he was covered in smaller pains from all the rat bites. “Come on. Hang with us for a while. We’ll keep you safe and explain a few things. If you want, you can leave in the morning. I swear.”