Page 50 of Into the Night

Sitting forward, I try to hear what Henry is saying. There’s news about Kali. That must be it, but is it good news or bad news?

“Are you certain?” A pause. “Okay. Thank you. He sets the phone down, staring at it hard, before he looks at me, still uncertain.

It’s killing me not to ask, but I know he’s building up to relaying the news. And if it’s something awful, I’m not sure I even want to hear it.

“Henry just spoke to Kali. She’s alive, and she says she’s fine. I don’t know the details, but it looks like she stumbled out into the woods, confused, and her beast put her into a deep sleep to heal. Once she’s a bit better, she’ll be home again.”

My beast surges forward. He’s less excited about this than I thought he’d be. Maybe because something about it just feels off.

“Great news,” I say, the weight of guilt that’s been sitting on my chest for days lightening slightly.

Ben nods, but keeps his gaze locked firmly on me. “It’s brilliant. She’ll be home soon.”

Tipping my head back, I close my eyes and try to process the wave of emotions washing over me.

“Where do you think is she?” I ask, unable to keep the longing from my voice.

She’s alive. We’ll be able to sort things out. We’re meant to be together, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure she never doubts me again.

“She wouldn’t say. Seems like she’s not ready to talk just yet.”

It’s a blow, but not unexpected.

“If you hear from Kali again, will you let me know?”

Ben tips his head in assent, but I can tell he’s still unsure about letting me near her. I don’t blame him.

I grit my teeth and attempt to look normal as he leaves. Waiting until Ben’s gone down the road, I stagger to the porch and slump onto the steps, a barrage of images and dreams flooding my mind. I can’t distinguish which are reality, and which are fantasy.

Then one slams into me like a freight train.

Kali coming in my arms, her nails scoring the delicate skin on my neck, as she falls apart.

I jump to my feet and race inside, straight to the bathroom mirror. I yank my jumper over my head and pull back the collar of my shirt. Gasping in horror, I reach around and touch the three rapidly fading scratches extending from my spine over my shoulder, right before everything goes black.

30

GRIFFIN

Finding Kali’s parent’s house was easy. In this shithole of a town, the well-kept lawn and freshly painted walls stand out a mile. I park outside the gates, debating whether to go to the door and knock.

I’ve no idea what I’m going to say to them. Maybe…

Hi, I’m Griffin.

I rutted your precious daughter into the dirt, and then snuck out of her bed in the middle of night.

Then I failed to protect her, and she almost got murdered by serial killers.

Now she’s missing, and I want you to help me find her, even though she insists she’s okay and has asked me to leave her alone.

By the way, my beast might actually know where she is, but because he’s a psycho, he won’t tell me a thing.

I sound like a stalker. Or worse.

Her parents would be right to rip me to shreds, right on their front porch. I should leave, but I can’t bring myself to drive away. This could be the only way I can find her, if my beast refuses to help me.

If they’ll even talk to me.

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