Trying not to show impatience, she went with him until they were with the group. She excused herself to go to Jedi who was processing the poor victim.
He looked up at her and smiled. “Hi, Detective. What can I do for you?”
“Can you monopolize Rory for a few minutes?”
“May I ask why?”
“So that I’ll owe you a favor.”
He laughed. “Okay. I’ll respect your privacy. Send him over and I’ll do my best.”
“Thank you!” After patting him on the shoulder, she went back to Rory. “Hey, I was just speaking with Jedi, and he needs you for a second. I think he has something to show you.”
Rory nodded. “I’ll be there as soon as I finish here.”
That was just what she wanted.
Keeping her gaze locked on him until he was out of sight, she slowly returned to where Helly waited in the woods.
The imp let out a frustrated breath at her approach. “I’ve tried everything to get inside. I don’t know how to open it.”
“What about his mom? Could she get in?”
“Maybe. But I’m scared to let her know. She might get mad at me for not protecting him.”
“Aren’t you more scared not to and to risk him needing help and not having it? Wouldn’t she be more upset if he is in danger and we left him to it?”
Helly made a face at her. “You’re mean!” Then she sobered. “But correct. I’ll be right back. Keep my space warm.”
Unsure what to make of that, Sorcha waited next to the portal. Alone.
This wasn’t the best plan she’d ever made. And as the sound of cicadas grew louder, she felt more and more unsure about it. What had she been thinking?
What would his mom do?
I don’t like this.
Every shadow appeared worse than the one before. Her heart pounded furiously, especially as she remembered that she was out here, alone, without a single weapon.
Crap…
Reyes really needed to issue her a weapon. While she might not need it around Luke, she definitely needed it when she wasn’t with him.
Like now.
Now would be good.
Something grumbled in the woods. Not in the direction of the police, but deeper in. Was it hungry or angry?
Hangry would probably be the worst of all.
Just as she was ready to run back to Rory, a flash temporarily blinded her. She put her hand up to protect her eyes and only lowered it once the light was gone.
Senka stood in her human form with half a dozen silent hellhounds standing at her side. That was a terrifying sight. “Where’s my son?”
Wishing she was invisible, Sorcha pointed to the small mound where Luke had captured Oliver. “They opened a portal and I think they took him there.”
Senka glared at it with a fierce snarl. “Mag Mell? That bitch has some nerve.”
