I stumble, falling into our kitchen table as soon as my starshoot releases me, and a relieved breath tumbles from my chest.
I suck it back down just as quickly when a second passes and no one else pops up.
“V, where are they? Where the hell are—”
Amick, Kyzen, and Creed appear all at once, and their shoulders slump as their eyes fall on me.
“Why the fuck was there a delay? What took you all so long?”
I race across the space and attempt to wrap my arms around the three of them. That doesn’t work, so I snatch them to me by their souls.
A groan falls from each of them as they crowd around me, and I lean my forehead against Kyzen’s chest.
“He finally blew it up.”
A rumble passes through him, vibrating against me, and his words snap us back to reality.
“Riven,” I scream as I push my way out of their ring and sprint to his room.
My body glides right past the threshold, and my gaze devours the empty space. I sling his closet and bathroom doors open just as fast, and a strangled sob lodges itself in my throat.
“Where is he? He starshot out, right? Where the fuck is he?”
My bellow has the three of them freezing their frantic search of the house.
“Yes. I watched him leave before we did. We starshot a couple of structures down and saw Seductions go up,” Amick says.
“Then where…”
“You know where he is, Thayla.”V hoots lightly, and a shuddering gasp escapes me.
Of course.
“I know where he is. I’ll bring him back.”
“Where? You’re not going anywhere without us.”
My eyes soften at Creed’s harsh bark.
“He’s at the hot spring. And I am going to him. Give us a minute. Please.”
Realization rips across his face. He isn’t quick enough to hide the worry from me, though.
Amick doesn’t say a word as he stomps toward his room, but he does lay a gentle kiss on my forehead.
Kyzen approaches me slowly.
“Bring him back to us, little goddess.”
“You come back to me,” I whisper.
“I’m here.”
His kiss is too soft and gentle. His tremors pass through his skin and into me, solidifying my suspicion.
The small smile he gives me is both strained and forced.
“Verlet and Seismet are already at the tree line, watching him. You starshoot through the woods. Do not walk,” Creed orders as he stands in front of me.
