"I came back to apologize. I wanted to tell Sarah that I was really sorry about how I acted."
"Have you seen her?"
"Sarah?" Kayleigh asked with a frown. "Not yet. I've only just arrived." She tilted her head at him. "Is she missing?"
He ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know. I just haven't found her yet."
"Oh, no."
"What?" He stared at Kayleigh's crestfallen expression.
"You don't suppose she went home, do you? Did I upset her that terribly?"
Luke thought back. Sarah was fine when he left her this morning. She hadn't been overly upset about Kayleigh's sudden appearance. He narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure you haven't seen Sarah today?"
"As worried as you are, I would definitely tell you. Do you want me to help you search?"
"No, no, that's fine."That's all I need is to find Sarah just taking a walk while I show up with Kayleigh."Thanks."
"If I see her, I'll tell her that you're looking for her," Kayleigh called after him.
He waved his hand in acknowledgement but didn't turn back. Once he exhausted the castle grounds, Luke called all of the guards together. "Search everywhere. She has to be here somewhere."
As the guards organized themselves for the search, Luke hurried back to Tuva's apartment. She was awake but very weak. Dr. Seneel was taking her vitals when he walked in.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like I fell on the floor and probably hit my head."
"Is that all it was? A fall?"
Tuva shook her head. "No. I was feeling horrible after breakfast. I was going to find your sister when everything just went black." She adjusted her head on the pillow. "Like now. I just can't seem to focus."
Luke kissed her forehead. "Don't. Just keep your eyes closed and rest." He nodded to the doctor. "Thank you."
"I'm not really doing anything. We've seen this before, and we know how it ends. I'm hoping that since they don't eat as much as your father always did, the toxins will pass through the body." He looked up at Luke. "I'm afraid to eat anything though. It seems our culprit has upped their game."
"It would be wise to be careful until we figure this out."
Larissa was up jogging in place when he stopped back by to see her. "I figure if I drink enough water and make myself sweat, I'll flush out the poison."
He told her about Tuva. "She was unconscious on the floor, but she said she ate breakfast, so she probably consumed more than you did."
"This is getting out of hand."
"Agreed. And I still haven't found Sarah." He told her about his run in with Kayleigh. "I'm starting to wonder if she was right and Sarah went home."
"Why would she do that?"
"I don't know, but she's not here. Kayleigh could have told her anything. Everyone else is accounted for. I have the guards searching now." His voice rose as his temper took over. "She just disappeared."
She gave him a hug. "Try not to panic until we know. You're positive she didn't leave you a note?"
"I'll go back and check again. Are you able to go check on Grandmother?"
"I will. I know how she feels about Seneel. I'm surprised she's not raising hell over him nursing her."
"I know she doesn't like it, but it is what it is. Be careful."
