"Tell me what happened."
What can I say to him that won't make me sound like I'm out of my mind?Once he knows about the paranormal, he can't unknow it.I was so fired up to tell him everything.Now that we're face-to-face, I don't know if I should.
"We were abducted by a cult.I was the target.Arthur got in the way, so they took him, too.I made it out, he didn't."
I want to tell him even though I made it out, part of me still died.And I'll never be rid of the guilt for what happened to his son – my best friend, my brother.But this isn't about me.It's not about him absolving me.It's about giving him closure so he can grieve.
"There's something you're not telling me.I can feel it.You know I always know when you're hiding stuff.Even with you grown up, that hasn't changed."
"I want to tell you more.I came here to tell you everything.But now, I think my partner might be right.It's not a good idea.Will you trust me on this?"
"Why do you think what happened is your fault?"He changes inquiry tactics.
"Because I was the one they were after.I don't even know why I was chosen.Arthur was supposed to be coming to see you, but he hadn't left yet."
"Was any of it under your control?"
"No, but –"
"It's not your fault, Andrew.But you had better give me all the facts.That is something you can control.And I deserve answers."
Richard's heartbeat thunders in my ears and my gums burn.The stress of this conversation is getting to me, but I can control the hunger.I must control it.These monstrous urges can't be allowed to destroy an innocent person.
Chapter Thirteen
Wyatt
TwodaysstakingoutRichard's place have yielded no results.Not a hint of activity.
Jagger has a call in to Cordelia to gather more intel.Now, it's a waiting game to see what she comes back with.
Mate.Find mate.My wolf is growing increasingly agitated.It doesn't help we've been trapped in a neighborhood where I can't risk a shift.There's no way for my wolf to burn off the excess energy.
It's Jag's turn to keep watch while I stretch out, as much as one can, in the backseat.It's not comfortable for a grown man, but it's better than some places I've used.I know I won't get any decent sleep; however, I can use the time to focus on the mate bond.It's gradually stabilizing, so maybe I can get some impressions or a direction to go.
Closing my eyes, I tune out everything and focus on Andrew – how he smells, how he feels in my arms, the pain he gifts to me.
A small tug captures my attention.Some mates develop a telepathic link immediately, some evolve over time.If we're going to have one, it seems to fall into the latter category.But I am sensing emotions more strongly now.Sadness.Anxiety.A touch of fear.
Wherever he is, Andrew is not having a good time.Thankfully, I don't get the sense he's in immediate danger.
To my knowledge, there haven't been any significant reports that might indicate there's a feral vampire on the loose.He's been lucky so far, it would seem.The longer time goes on, the more risk of that luck running out.
The first few notes of Toccata and Fugue break my concentration.
"What's up?"I ask once Jagger gets off the phone.
"It seems Richard used a credit card to fill up, so we have a general location of where he might be."
"As long as he stayed in the area, we can track him.Let's go!"Pushing the door open, I slide out of the back and move up to the passenger seat.My wolf whines, and I rub my chest.Patience.
Jag drives us out of the neighborhood as I try to refocus on the mate bond.If I monitor it as we go, I'll feel changes if Andrew is with Richard as I suspect.I can only hope my mate is in control enough not to hurt him.I don't know that he could survive the added guilt.
Chapter Fourteen
Andrew
MoonlightilluminatesRichard'sfaceas I stand over him sleeping soundly in his bed.The bloodlust pushes at my fraying control.I've hunted animals at night to take the edge off, but I'll need something more soon.His heartbeat, the blood moving through his body, makes my fangs drop.I jerk back, realizing I'm hovering much too close.I can't keep risking Richard's life.
