[h2]Esme Stirling[/h2]

Esme calmed a bit more when Sarah nuzzled her hand with a sound that sounded like appreciation. Esme then rubbed Sarah’s head, then looked over at Violet as she came over. She couldn’t help but smile a bit as Violet looked a bit jealous of the attention Sarah was getting. Esme slowly lifted her other hand and placed it on Violet’s head and rubbed it. This was one of the craziest things she had done in her life, and she had done some crazy things in her life. When Cason spoke, Esme turned her head to look at him. 

Esme nodded to show she understood, then turned back to the two hounds in front of her as she was nuzzled by one. Esme rubbed their heads and patted the sides of their necks as Cason continued to explain everything she needed to know. She knew well that she wouldn’t be able to use salt lines unless absolutely necessary, but she was glad he mentioned the vault. She knew nothing about it except that it was there, since she didn’t go down with the other when Bobby had shown them. “Relaxing?” she repeated in a questioning tone. “Maybe.” she said, looking over at him. 

She followed his gaze, looking out over the junkyard, taking in the fog and other hounds that roamed the grounds. If and when anything comes, they would be sure to hear with so many hounds around the house. Esme looked back at Sarah and Violet. Sighing heavily, she closed her eyes. Even with the extra protection, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy about this whole situation, but they couldn’t let Annabeth go without a fight. She knew well that this all could end terribly. 

They could be killed or seriously injured from all that was coming their way. She sighed again as she heard Bobby grumble about wasting the air conditioning. She then nodded to Cason as she opened her eyes. “Yeah, we should. I don’t want to be left in the dark on any of this.” she mumbled. She looked at Sarah and Violet as she gave them both a good pat, a small smile coming to her. “Thank you.” she whispered softly to them both. “I don’t see a problem with one of you coming in. I don’t think there is room for both of you in the living room. Just try not to make yourself known. We don’t want to freak out the others.” she continued in a soft whisper. Esme then turned to head back inside with the others.