Taste (Ava Delaney #5) by Claire Farrell Page A

trying to train everyone to defend themselves, but things are different in the heat of the moment.”
    She shrugged. “Feelings are strong right now. The problem would be the weaklings trying to get involved to avenge Folsom.”
    I thought of Emmett, of his expression when he’d said he would fight. “That can’t happen. Gabe’s out front. I’ll lead them out, and you take up the rear. Peter and Carl can keep a close eye on Emmett and Leah.”
    “And Lucia.”
    I smiled. “And Lucia. Gabe’s Guard, Esther, Lorcan, and anyone else you think could make a difference can stay on the outer edges. Just make sure nobody gets left behind.”
    She nodded, her honey-coloured eyes focusing on the group as if contemplating on who could fight and who needed protection. I could count on Val.
    The group didn’t fit in the garage, so we took them outside in batches while I lectured them on staying close to each other.
    “Anyone weak, injured, and young—” I gave Emmett a pointed look. “—is to stay in the centre of the circle with Peter and Carl. Anyone Val says can fight should be on the edges of the group. Gabe and I will be at the front. Val and Cam will keep to the rear. We’ll move quickly and quietly, and nobody does anything without permission until I say you can relax. Understand?”
    They stared at me, some with curiosity, others with respect, a few with open hostility. Mrs. Yaga wasn’t ready for them, but I had to at least get them inside the cul-de-sac, where I knew there would be some protection. Folsom’s security was slowly dying with him. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.
    I had called Mrs. Yaga to hurry her up, and she promised to try, but I wasn’t sure where we would possibly hide all of these people. While I waited for everyone to move out of the garage, I called Shay.
    “No,” he said. “I’m keeping away from you until you decide to tell me the truth.”
    “Don’t be so immature,” I said. “This is important.”
    He hesitated.
    “Please?”
    “Oh, for the love of… Ava, you’re becoming a problem.” He tried to sound gruff, but I heard the laughter in his voice. “I’ll try to make it over. But I’m not promising anything.”
    “Good. Stay safe.” When I hung up, I noticed Peter staring at me, so I walked over to him. “If anything happens, and you see a chance, get him out of there,” I told him. “I wish you could have taken him in your car, but it’s kind of well known.”
    He nodded, looking grim. “Don’t worry. We’ll get there in one piece.”
    “I freaking well hope so.” I glanced at the crowd and got a nod from Val. I raised my hands to get the group’s attention. “Everyone! Let’s head out. We’ll be safe very soon.”
    We headed through the gate: Gabe and me in front, Val and Cam at the back of the group. I kept glancing around to check on Val, throwing out my extra senses and desperately listening for any sound that might be a warning. The people remained deadly silent. Not everyone could walk fast, which was frustrating, but we couldn’t let the group separate. I wasn’t prepared to have two groups, one stronger than the other.
    It took us an hour to walk from Folsom’s place to the cul-de-sac. An hour in the open. An hour in which anyone could attack. My heart raced every time I heard a heartbeat out of place, or a scent I couldn’t identify attacked my nostrils.
    “So far, so good,” I whispered.
    “Too quiet,” Gabe said. “I don’t like it.”
    “Better than teeming with enemies. Don’t forget what’ll happen to you if any of my people get hurt.”
    “Have I told you lately that I hate you, Ava Delaney?”
    I laughed softly. “Not in the last few hours.”
    “Someone follows,” Val called from the back. “A ways back, but they’re there. We need to up the pace.”
    “See?” I said to Gabe. “ This is why I’m keeping the hellhound.”
    “You heard the lady,” Cam yelled. “Hurry!”
    “Don’t run!” I ordered. “We