Natalie breathed out slowly. "They're dead." She brought the table back out of her storage space, pulled on gloves, and carefully wrapped the tiny blackened corpses that looked like burnt sesame seeds. Then she pushed open the window and hurled them into the raging storm. The blizzard screamed outside, wild and endless. The air felt even colder now, sharp enough to bite skin. Natalie slammed the window shut and turned to Cassian. Together, they began checking every inch of the room. The innkeeper hadn't wanted them staying here. Then she'd insisted on "cleaning" for them. That meant she hadn't planted anything yet, but Natalie wasn't taking chances. They searched under the bed, behind the furniture, and along the walls. Lucky sniffed around with her tail stiff, like a soldier on duty. It didn't take long. The room was small, and with four of them searching, it looked torn apart within minutes. Nothing. No hidden traps. No strange tools. No recording devices. Natalie finally exhaled again, but she wasn't ready to relax. She cleared the room completely, sending the bed, table, and every last object into her storage space until there was nothing left but the bare floor. Then she pulled out an RV big enough to fill the space. "Let's sleep in the van tonight," she said. She'd snatched it from a rental company before the floods hit and never really used it. Now it was finally earning its keep. Cassian nodded in agreement. "Good plan." Sleeping in the van meant warmth, safety, and space that actually belonged to them. It had everything they needed—beds, heat, and privacy.There were three places to sleep. The back had a double bed for her and Cassian. The couch folded into a single bed for Lucky. Above the driver's seat was a small bunk that fit Cash and Baron perfectly. Once the bedding was set, Natalie took out a metal doorstopper and handed it to Cassian. "Put this under the door. If anyone opens it, it'll scream like a siren." This gadget would give them enough security to sleep soundly. After securing the door, she brought out a heater, electric blankets, and thick down comforters. Even in twenty-below weather, no one would freeze. When everything was set, she locked the van tight and smiled, her breath fogging in the cold air. "Look at me now. A man, a guard dog, and gear for a storm. Way better than my previous life." Cassian reached for her, pulling her in with quiet warmth. He didn't say anything, but his eyes told her he remembered—how she'd once faced everything alone. She lived alone in her previous life. The apocalypse was hell to her. No—technically, she wasn't alone. She had Tiffany and Braxton, but with them around, living alone was better. She noticed and gave him a light shove. "Don't you dare feel sorry for me." Cassian raised a brow. "What?" She crossed her arms. "I'm not fragile. I don't need pity." He smirked. "Got it. You're the strongest woman I've ever met." Her lips curved up. "No wonder you managed to marry me. You really know how to flatter." He leaned closer, his arm sliding around her. "Then should we sleep now, honey?"Natalie tilted her head, eyeing him. "You better behave. We're sharing the bed with the dog tonight." Cassian frowned. "Or we could sleep in here and let them stay outside." Lucky's head shot up from her blanket. Her ears perked, and she barked in pure outrage. "Ow ow ow ow?" Though she hadn't taken any spring water, Natalie figured out what her dog was trying to say. Natalie laughed, her eyes shining. "She said, ‘You have no shame.'" Lucky wagged proudly, then turned back toward Cassian and let out another round of barks. "Ow ow ow? Ow ow, ow ow ow!" Cassian burst out laughing. The dog's face was scrunched up. "You know, Lucky's starting to look like a wrinkled old grandma when she's mad." Lucky froze. Her big brown eyes widened in disbelief. "Ow, ow?" Natalie rolled her eyes. "Stop teasing her. She'll hold a grudge, and you'll regret it." Lucky swung her gaze toward Natalie, her face full of wounded pride. Who are you calling petty? Cash turned away, his wings shaking with laughter. Baron stayed quiet but kept sneaking glances between Natalie and the others, trying to figure out if he'd still be allowed to sleep inside. He might be protective of Lucky, but Natalie was obviously higher on the pecking order.Neither he nor Cash had ever shared a room with their owners before. Lucky had, but once Cassian joined, she'd been kicked out. Tonight was the first time they were all together. The van filled with warmth, soft light, and laughter. After a while, Natalie clapped her hands once. "Alright, lights out. Everyone sleep." She shut off the lamp, leaving Cassian and the three animals bundled in the cozy space, then slipped quietly into her storage space to rest.