Riley frowned. “Yeah, tomorrow’s fine. See you then.”
She nodded and slipped out into the frigid night. Man, what a strange evening this was turning out to be. Týr watching overthings, and now Riley turning up and wanting totalk.
“Hey.” The lanky teen leaning against the Suzuki lifted a hand in greeting.
“Right back at ya,” she called out, crossing to him.
Liam Montgomery straightened from his bike, giving her a quick smile. He raked back disheveled brown hair, badly in need of a trim.
Kira had met him several weeks ago at The Shelter where he worked part-time. She’d gone there, hauling a reluctant Tomas with her, and Liam had somehow managed to prevent the wily eight-year-old from bolting. He was good with Tomas.
“No sign of him yet?” she asked.
Liam shook his head and handed her the extra helmet, his expression troubled. “I checked around The Shelter. Nothing. He’s definitely gone.”
“The information you got about the children disappearing from the streets. You do realize the homeless don’t stay in one place for long, right?”
“Yes, I’m aware of that, but it’s what I overheard Darwin, you know the guy who runs The Shelter, tell someone. They’re even disappearing from inside. I wouldn’t have messaged you otherwise.”
“Okay. Okay. I want to speak to Darwin.”
“Kira,” Liam groaned. “It’ll only land me in trouble for snooping.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t mention your name. They don’t even know we’re friends. Darn it, what was Tomas thinking? I warned him about the dangers out here.”
Her dread grew, knowing exactly what else trolled the backstreets. Tomas was a child. He couldn’t fight off soul-sucking demoniis.
“Let’s hope he’s at his usual hangout.” She pivoted for the Suzuki and grimaced. “Did I mention I really hate this contraption of yours?”
“A few times.” Liam chuckled, sliding a leg over the seat. “We could grab a cab, but this beauty”—he patted the handlebars—“is good for quick getaways.”
Boys, men, they were all the same when it came to their wheels. But he had a point.
“Wait, you can fight, right? Just in case. I mean, these aren’t for show?” She poked his leather-clad biceps.
“A little. I also have this little badass”—he pulled out his slingshot from inside his jacket pocket—“And I can even sense those foul-ass dirtbags from Hell.”
At his self-disparaging humor regarding his ability, Kira shook her head. He put away his weapon and kick-started the monster. And she wondered what his story was. Liam didn’t talk much about himself, but she sensed a sadness in him. After she found Tomas, she would try and help Liam.
Her helmet on, she cautiously straddled the pillion. Right, three things to concentrate on tonight; brave this bike, find Tomas, and hopefully, avoid a certain pain-in-the-ass Guardian whose territory she’d soon be invading.
