Page 73 of Dance With Death

“Why don’t you have anything to say?”

“Deceive Harding,” says Dorian softly. “You almost sound annoyed that I’m not derailing your interview with Holly.”

“You and your daughter normally have plenty to say, and little time for listening,” says Wagner.

“Holly experienced poor treatment at the hands of supes. I’m also aware my reputation and presence can unnerve humans.” He smiles at Holly, thankfully showing less teeth than he often does.

“Something confuses me, Holly,” says Wagner, and I wince at him dismissing Dorian. “Your story suggests you spent several days in the house, yet nobody reported you missing. This was not a random attack on a girl walking in the woods between the academy and town, as first thought.”

Holly’s eyes meet mine, tears welling. “Nobody reported me?”

“So, you confirm that people kept you captive for several days?”

“Yes.”

I glance at Dorian, whose face remains neutral. “I was not aware,” he says.

“You weren’t involved in the search for your daughter’s missing roommate? I find that hard to believe,” says Harding.

“I was not aware that Mrs. Lorcan did not tell human authorities or Holly’s parents.” Again, that smile. Lie. “My concern was helping to locate Holly.”

“And you weren’t at all confused why we didn’t contact you to liaise on the disappearance?” asks Wagner.

“Well, we rarely cooperate, do we?”

Harding mutters and makes another note. “We’ll question Mrs. Lorcan again.”

“Please do,” says Dorian. “As will I.”

But Dorian did know. Rowan never told the detectives at his interview. Will he be in trouble for not telling the authorities the truth or will Dorian protect him?

“Is Dash okay?” asks Holly.

Her constant, unwarranted concern about her abductor’s welfare concerns me.

“Could you explain his involvement?” asks Detective Harding and glances down at his notes. “You say that you’ve no recollection of leaving the academy, only vague memories of a basement in a house where Dashiell held you.”

“No. Dash didn’t hold me at the house.”

“But the shifter was there?”

“Yes, but only because he lived in the house too.”

Detective Wagner makes a small noise. “And he knew nothing about the girl locked in the basement in his residence?”

“Yes. He did know. But Dash didn’t abduct me.”

“You said you don’t remember who took you,” I say.

“Dash wasn’t around on the first day. The big guy—shifter—who died, he seemed in charge.”

The detective flicks through his notes again. “Sam?” Holly nods. “And you heard other voices during your time there. Any other names?”

“No. People came and went. I didn’t meet many of them. I think. There was one guy.” She blinks. “Maybe?”

“And nobody told you why you were there and what would happen?” asks the other detective quietly. “Threaten you?”

“Not until I tried to escape. Someone asked Sam to take me to another place, and Dash insisted on coming with us. When I saw where he parked the car, I thought Sam might be returning me to the academy.” She takes a sip of water, voice trembling. “Instead, he told me to run.”

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