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Corbin nodded. “It sucks, but it happened so fast. We weren’t here then, or we would have helped.”

“But the house has…grown,” Yarrow pointed out.

“It has.” Cullen made a wry face. “We each got the house we wanted. And Cosmo’s mate’s house came too.”

“Is that the big Victorian?” Yarrow asked, eyes wide.

“It is.” Corbin shrugged, the motion deceptively casual. “Something terrible happened to the people who lived there, and so we came to defend it, to protect the space. It’s safe now. And if you need help, we’re here.”

Yarrow frowned at them, lines forming on his face. “They were safe there too, or so they thought. There were just as many of them as there are of you.”

“You’re talking about vampires.”I know what happened to Myk’s family. They decapitated Myk’s brothers and their mates. Took the babies. Infants. Literal infants. Newborns. And also little Nevvy down to the basement to feed on. They captured Myk when he came roaring in to try to save them. Myk and Tyson got them out.Cullen looked green, angry, and Orion wanted to reach out and touch him.

He didn’t know who all those people were, but all the dragon-fae brothers had mentioned dozens of dragons.

Soon he would learn Cullen’s secrets, and Cullen would learn his.

Right now, though, Orion needed to focus because Cullen’s glamours were shimmering a little bit.Hold it together. Breathe. It’s all right. I have you. I’m right here.

I can’t imagine—what if they got to Elliot? I would die for him.

They won’t. I swear to you. I will keep us safe.

“I’m going to be staying up there with them.” The words fell out of Orion’s mouth.

Yarrow stared at him, blinked. “You’re going to what?”

“I’m going to be staying up there with them. That way, I can lend my magic to the cause, so to speak.”

Cullen nodded. “And we can protect him too.”

Yarrow arched an eyebrow. “You have met him, right?”

Scowling, Cullen pointed a mommy finger gesture at Yarrow. “He’s mine to protect.”

“Looks intense over here, folks,” the fifty-something server said when she walked over. “Coffee?”

“Just flirting!” Corbin beamed at her, and she melted.

Not literally,he told Cullen.

No, that would be gross. Remember I’m old. Order for me.

Kinky. “I’d love some coffee, and Grampy here wants hot cocoa with whipped cream.”

“Oh, of course. I’ll put it in a nice, big-handled glass.”

“Perfect. Thank you.” Orion beamed. “Cor? You know what you want?”

“Coffee and water please. With cream.”

“Absolutely…” She licked her lips and wandered off, and Cullen smiled.

“You’re going to get her phone number,” Orion whispered, and Yarrow rolled his squinty, dark eyes.

“You’re lucky if you don’t end up with her hand wrapped around your?—”

“Ahem.” Cullen wagged his beard, warning Yarrow off.