Sage’s heart sped up. She didn’t know what was going on, but she knew who Eldred was. Eldred “Dred” Van Crimson was the elder of the Van Crimson clan. There were twofoxenfamilies tethered to Serenity—the Whites, and the Van Crimsons. The demon would take from both if he could, but because the Whites were so well hidden, only the Van Crimsons were being abducted.
“That’s final, Eldred.”
Sage heard a thud, then the squelch of a walkie-talkie.
“Number Six, report!” Nana White barked.
“Ayuh, Missus,” said a male voice. Number Six was one of Nana White’s ex-husbands. He lived and worked on the grounds of the Inn, doing mostly maintenance and odd jobs. Sage had no idea what his real name was. He’d been anexsince before Sage was born.
“We found ‘im, Missus. He's near the entrance. Me ‘n the boys have ‘im surrounded, but you’ll have to make ‘im show ‘imself ‘afore we can roust ‘im up."
“I'll be right there. I'll have Miss Perfect with me.”
Sage jumped, then made her way quickly and silently back to her bunk.Shewas ‘Miss Perfect’ and it would be very bad if she were caught eavesdropping.
36—In the Hole
Back at the bunks, Sage checked on Paisley first—still sleeping—then she went to Mina and sat down next to her.
“She’s in the building,” Sage whispered, and that was all she had time to say before Nana White arrived.
Nana White was wearing a dark-green wool suit with matching hat and black shoes. Her fox stole that she called acaskhung around her shoulders, complete with face and little ears. On her arm was a fox-fur purse with multiple pelts glued to a utilitarian bag. She wore three flashy wedding rings on her left ring finger, and another three on her right. Sage shuddered involuntarily. Nana White was crazy as hell.
“You girl,” Nana White barked at Sage. “Come with me.”
Sage threw Mina a look and Mina nodded, motioning that she would stay with Paisley. Sage followed Nana White outside into the cool, early-morning darkness. At the bottom of the steps were several golf carts. Nana White stopped near the first one and turned around to face Sage.
“I need your help little missy,” she said, her voice pitched low. “A Van Crimson has escaped Khain. He's on the grounds, trying to hide. He can't stay, and I need you to find him.”
“Youcan’t find him?” Sage said.
Nana White stared her down for a full minute, as if deciding what to say.
“Reynard’s gone dim,” she finally stated matter-of-factly. “And he’s not responding to me.”
Sage gasped and put a hand to her mouth. Reynard! Reynard Van Crimson was one of her best friends. He’d been herfirst kiss, her first innocent boyfriend back in middle school. She loved him like one of her very own family.
“Was he…?” Sage couldn’t bring herself to say it.
“Yes, he was marked. If you get him to show himself, I’ll take his mark and send him to his elder.”
Sage’s knees went weak and she felt queasy. Reynard wasmarked.His life wasruined.His life wasover.
“You can—you can take his mark?” she asked weakly, her mind reeling.
“I can,” Nana White said, irritation growing in her voice.
“What if Khain finds him again? Can’t he stay here?”
“No. He interferes with therecherche.If it fails, we’re all in danger and I won’t risk it. Every minute he stays makes it more dangerous for us.” She poked a finger at the building they’d come from. “More dangerous forthem.”
Sage didn’t know what arecherchewas, but she bet it had something to do with the globe-looking thing on the table.
“Okay,” Sage said. “What do you want me to do?”
Nana White motioned to the golf cart. “We’re going in the hole.”
***
