Clever, clever girl.
Emmett Green, Garrett’s father, offered to call in favors and have law enforcement issue a BOLO for her and her vehicle, but that’s only as a last resort. I’d rather Eilidh not end up on any official radar like that, if possible. It could come back to impact us in unexpected ways later.
Besides, she’s broken no laws. Technically. I mean, using the fake ID and having her license plate issued to itisagainst the law, yes, but it’s a victimless crime.
Or maybe she didn’t really love you, asshole.
There is that possibility. That I moved too fast, she got scared, and this was the perfect timing for her to leave.
I’ve paid Garrett to hold Eilidh’s apartment, as-is, so Amber can keep trying to see her.
So far, no luck.
She insists that Eilidh’s fatherisalive, however. And that Eilidh and I will end up together.
That she is alive and safe.
There are no secrets to be learned at the stone ring tonight. I’ll keep people here, watching the ring and monitoring it with remote cameras. Maybe if they pick up something, it’ll provide a clue.
The only thing I can do now is wait until we have some hint of where Eilidh is, unless we uncover more evidence about the stone ring.
Unfortunately, waiting is a skill I’ve had a lot of practice at.
Doesn’t make it any easier. Especially when my soulmate is somewhere, out there, and I have no idea where, or if she’s in danger.
* * *
One night six weeks later,I’m sitting on the ground in Scotland, outside the third of the three standing stone rings, when my cell rings.
My hope soars when I see it’s a Tucson number that’s not Lucius’ or Garrett’s numbers.
“Dexter Van Sussex.”
“Hiya. It’s Kylie.”
Kylie King, hacker extraordinaire. If my heart were beating, it’d be racing right now. “Pleasetell me you have something.”
“I have something.”
I jump to my feet. “Really?”
“Really. I just verified thirty minutes ago that she boarded a ferry in Bellingham, Washington, and took it to Whittier, Alaska. I confirmed her license plate and everything. She used an assumed name, but she transported her Toyota, so she still has it.”
“What? Seriously? She’s just boarded a ferry to Alaska?”
“Oh, sorry, no. I mean, I justconfirmedit. She actuallytookthe ferry weeks ago. My bad. Sorry, dude.”
My hope sinks. “Weeksago?”
“Yes. Frangelico is working his sources who know the vampires in that region, trying to learn who the wholesale blood suppliers are, and running down leads that way. If we can track who receives shipments of blood on the regular, that’ll give him a starting point to ask for assistance locating her. Garrett’s talking to shifters up there, too. Trying to locate the shifter bars, fight clubs—anywhere she might feel right at home and able to do her thing.”
I groan. “Alaska is a big place. It’s enormous and remote.”
“Don’t worry—we’re working on it. I would suggest making your way to Anchorage. They have larger hotels there. Chances are, she’s still on the Kenai Peninsula. Or possibly up in Mat-Su, just to the north. Once we find out where she went from Whittier, or if she’s still in Whittier, we’ll be able to let you know where to go. It’s doubtful she’s still in Whittier, though.”
“Why can’t I just fly into Whittier, then?”
“For starters, it’s tiny. I don’t know what you’re flying on, but your pilot needs to check if their airfield can even handle your plane. Secondly, Whittier istiny. Did I mention it’s tiny? You kind of need a specialized type of quarters to—”
