Varius: #9 (Luna Lodge) by Madison Stevens Page A

meet the family? Are they aware of your dangerous hybrid nature?”
    Despite the irritation flowing through him, Varius kept his expression calm. He’d not give the pushy reporter any satisfaction today.
    When Varius didn’t answer, she aimed the mic at Jim. “Mr. Parker, how do you feel about the fact your daughter is dating a hybrid? Aren’t you worried about her safety? Have you even considered what might happen if they decide to have children? Do you really want a half-breed grandchild?”
    Jim frowned at the woman, slinging his rifle over his shoulder. “I don’t see what the hell business that is of yours.”
    She looked taken aback for a moment. It must have been some time since someone dared speak to her that way. Her face reddened, and she glared at Jim.
    “Excuse me?” she snapped. “You should understand, Mr. Parker, that this interview will be going out on national news.”
    Jim stepped forward again. “You heard me,” he said clearly. “My daughter can date whoever the hell she wants, and we’ll support her.”
    Varius raised a brow at the older man. Glad to know he had his support.
    Jill huffed loudly. “I think you might not know the whole story with the hybrids.”
    Jim shook his finger at her. “I think you’re the one who doesn’t know the whole story.”
    “Maybe you haven’t been watching the news or my national award-winning broadcasts.”
    “I don’t need to watch garbage. It rots the brain.”
    She gritted her teeth.
    Varius resisted laughing.
    “The public has a right to know the truth,” Jill insisted.
    “The public and no reporters have the right to trespass on my land,” Jim said, patting his rifle. “Get the hell off of my property. The sheriff’s is on the way, so if you don’t hurry, then maybe you can broadcast getting arrested all over the country.”
    “The public has—”
    Varius stepped forward. “I think it’s time you leave. You’re not getting a story today.”
    Jill scrunched up her face and looked like she might argue a little more. Flashing red and blue lights caught their attention. They all turned to see a police car driving down the gravel road.
    It screeched to a halt, and a sheriff stepped outside, a frown on his face.
    “You okay, Jim?” the sheriff asked.
    Jim nodded toward Jill Hope. “This woman’s some big-city reporter or something. Apparently, they don’t teach ‘em about private property.”
    “I’m Jill Hope,” she said to the sheriff. “You may have seen me on—”
    “All right, ma’am,” the sheriff interrupted. “Mr. Parker is right. This is private property. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
    “I don’t think you understand. This man is a hybrid, as in Luna Lodge.” She nodded knowingly, her eyes wide.
    Varius resisted the urge to scoff aloud. The only one causing any trouble was the damn reporter.
    The sheriff seemed unfazed. “And Mr. Parker doesn’t seem to have a problem with him being on his land, but he does have a problem with you being here. Now, you need to leave. I wouldn’t want to have to arrest you for disorderly conduct.”
    Varius kept his silence, hoping Jill would annoy the sheriff enough to get hauled off. It’d at least keep her out of his hair for a while.
    Jill wrinkled her nose, her face now completely red. “The truth will get out, no matter how much you try to cover it up.” She nodded to her cameraman, and they slinked back to their van.
    Varius watched anxiously as they grumbled their way back into the van. A wave of relief and a long sigh followed.
    The sheriff took off his hat and wiped the sweat off his brow. He was just past middle age if his hairline was any indication and pretty much looked like most small-town law enforcement Varius had seen.
    “Look,” the sheriff said, looking him up and down, his hand on his gun in the holster. “I’m not about to let some arrogant reporter come in and here and push my people around, but that doesn’t mean I want any