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

of that hybrid bullshit being brought here. This is a quiet county, and we like that way. Do you understand me, son?”
    Varius, unsure what to say, just stared at uniformed man after a quick nod. He wondered what sort of lies the sheriff believed about hybrids. For all he knew, the man normally eagerly watched Jill Hope’s broadcasts.
    The fact the man was ready to pull out his gun didn’t fill him with confidence, but he wasn’t going to give him any reason to be further upset.
    Hell, this sort of thing wasn’t even his area. Sol or Titus mostly dealt with the local authorities. He was the guy they sent out on covert missions, when they needed things done outside of the public eye.
    “Now, Sam, don’t you start threatening my guest,” Jim said and stepped between the two of them. “If I was having trouble with him, I would have kicked his ass to the curb myself.”
    Sam eyed Varius with suspicion. “You sure? What’s he even doing here?”
    “Came out with my daughter for a little vacation.”
    Sam sighed. His shoulders slumped a little with what seemed like relief. He dropped his hand away from his gun.
    “Fine, you just make you keep him out of trouble,” the sheriff said. He eyed Varius again and stepped back into his car. He rolled down the window and pointed to the rifle. “And put that thing away, Jim. We both know you couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with your eyesight.”
    The sheriff backed up and then rolled down the drive.
    “I’ll show you just what the hell I can hit,” Jim mumbled. “Little prick.”
    Varius forced down the laugh that threatened to bubble up, still surprised. He’d expected Jim to help him defend Lena. He never expected the man would defend him against both the reporter and the local sheriff.
    “Thanks for that, Jim,” Varius said when he turned to look at him.
    Jim gave a sharp nod. Not much for words. Varius appreciated that.
    They turned to head back for the house.
    “After breakfast, why don’t you let me help with chores? I’m strong and fast, I’m sure there’s something I can help you with,” Varius said.
    Jim stopped as they reached the porch and looked at him. He gave another nod.
    “Was going to have to hire some men to put in a few fence posts, but I bet you could do it pretty easy.” He chuckled. “All that hybrid nonsense has to be useful for something.”

Chapter Fourteen
     
     
    Lena helped her mother shell the peas for dinner. The chore allowed an almost Zen-like meditation, and after a bit, she had let the crap from the morning drift away. It helped to remind herself that it wasn’t anything more dangerous than an annoying reporter and that, for once, the local law enforcement seemed to be on their side.
    She glanced out the window, but Varius was now too far away to see. He had been so fast with those posts that she wouldn’t have been surprised if he managed to finish the entire job in a couple of hours.
    Lena smiled. It was nice to see her parents making such an effort with him. She’d worried, especially about her father, but they weren’t just tolerating him, they were genuinely trying to make a connection.
    Her mother sat down at the table with two large bowls, one filled with uncut strawberries. She started slicing off the green tops and cutting the berries into half.
    Lena knew what strawberries meant. Strawberry shortcake. One of her absolute favorites. It was yet another reason she was glad she decided to make the trip.
    Her mother cleared her throat. “That was something else how he just ran out there to protect you,” her mother said softly. “Didn’t even think about it, didn’t even care who might be out there.”
    Lena stopped shelling the peas to look at her mother. She wasn’t looking at her, but it was clear that what happened this morning had shaken her. Her parents had lived a long and quiet life in the country. Even the indirect threat of violence was foreign to them.
    A bit of guilt washed through Lena,