“Has anyone seen Kalon?” Ferona finally asked. Seda’s mind kept drifting to him, but she didn’t want to be the one to ask. “We have circled the area multiple times, and he is nowhere outside.”
They all looked at each other and shook their heads in unison.
Where could Kalon have gone? Is he in another house?
She wouldn’t hold it against him for wanting to sleep somewhere else.
“He was in my room last night,sleeping on the floor,” Seda made sure to include, purposely leaving out the kiss, “and when I woke up this morning, he was gone. I’ve not seen him since.”
They found Vidar and Lucja and asked if they knew whether Kalon was in any of the homes.
“I last saw him around 3 a.m., walking south of town with something that sparkled in the light as he moved,” Vidar said. “I’m not sure where he headed. Maybe he was looking for a private spot to take a bathroom break?”
Without hesitation, Seda raised her hands to her neck to check for the chain, but she found nothing. She frantically unlaced the top of her shirt, and Askold exclaimed, “Whoa, there, Seda! Keep those laces on, please. For our own safety from a jealous king.”
She looked at him angrily. “My necklace is gone!”
“What necklace?” Askold and Ojore asked at the same time.
“MY NECKLACE! The one I’ve had since I was a child. It sparkles!” The men looked at each other in confusion.
“Are you sure you didn’t leave it in the house when you got dressed?” Benny asked.
Seda ran back to the house and flung open the door, letting it slam shut behind her. She searched everywhere for it. She couldn’t remember taking it off last night, but she also didn’t remember having it or seeing the sparkles light up the room when she changed not long ago.
Feich was the first to burst through the doors. “Did you find it?” he asked her while frantically looking around for it. The others also piled into the room.
“No! Last night we kissed, and I pushed him away. But I felt him run his fingers along my chain.”
Feich’s eyes widened as he continued helping Seda look for the moonstone necklace.
“Do you think he took it?” Benny asked.
“Yes! He took it, Benny!” She ground her teeth together, and rage bubbled through her veins. Her hands glowed, illuminating the room.
Kalon stole my necklace.
Why would he do that?
Chapter 43
The Monster King
The Monster King exhaled sharply as he finally pulled himself out of the nightmare that haunted his mind during daylight hours. He reached across his desk and grabbed his veilroot smoke, lighting it with a match. He inhaled the weed and exhaled slowly, letting the drug soothe his nerves.
It had been weeks since his last episode. He almost thought maybe, just maybe, these nightmares were finally over.
A knock on his door made him look over.
“Come in,” he said, rubbing his sweat-slicked forehead.
Jason walked in and stared at him, unaffected by the thick smoke in the air.
“The Jotnar wish to meet,” Jason said. The Monster King took another drag of his smoke and blew it out, creating small circles in the air.
“Those imbeciles always want to meet, and yet they haven’t fulfilled their side of the bargain. I continue to provide them with fresh meat and have nearly met their quota. Yet, the dome still stands,” he replied, taking another drag. The effects of the veilroot only slightly calmed his growing agitation. “I’m losing my patience with them.”
Jason stood tall in front of the mahogany desk, awaiting the response to provide to the Jotnar, and the Monster King grumbled.
