"Protective wards." She stood up and indicated that he should come with her. A quick glance at Rob, who stood watching their backs and she turned back to face the nest.

"You sure this is safe, Grandma?"

"Hunters don't come out in the light." Sam took a deep breath, then switched automatically to Latin and talked to God for moment before pointing her finger at the nest and pronouncing all bonds and boundaries broken.

The brightness of the scratches faded and the rebar started to list as the webs disintegrated.

And Sam suddenly felt Hunter very close.

She frowned and looked toward a big metal shed that stood nearby, then scowled. "There they are. Let's go see how they're getting in and out."