Page 75 of Dance With Death

None of the three guys comment. But Dorian is. I certainly made the right decision in visiting Holly before Dorian had the chance yesterday. He might’ve taken her too. What if he’s hiding things from me? Important information that’s pertinent to Holly’s welfare? My worries that Dorian will harm her won’t stop nagging at me.

“I’m glad Holly’s improving,” says Leif.

“Yeah, but that’s a messed-up story.” Grayson crosses his arms and looks out of the window.

“What is your opinion about Dashiell?” I ask Rowan, setting down my cup. “Anything come up in your research?”

“You know shifters are secretive. It’s hard to track down info on where Dashiell came from. There’re few records of the shifter ‘who’s who’, let alone their missing people.”

“Yes, but I’m concerned by Holly’s repeated requests to see Dashiell. What if he’s biding his time and may harm her? Or if someone used mind magic to force Holly to like and trust him so he can kill her?”

“Dashiell isn’t allowed near Holly,” says Grayson. “She’s safe, especially now that he’s gone.”

“Safe from him, maybe, but Dorian needs to move Holly somewhere safer.” But would Holly be safer with my father? “He could allow Eloise to look at her mind?” Leif takes a sharp breath, and I side-glance him. “Look gently.”

“What has Dorian done with him?” asks Rowan.

“Secret location.” I press my lips together. “Even to me.”

“Because Dorian knows you’ll interfere,” Grayson replies.

“Did Dorian tell you anything else before you left?” asks Rowan. “Has he found anything at the place the shifters kept Holly?”

“Dorian’s men found nothing in the house that would indicate who Sam worked for, although there were traces of magic suggesting witches had visited the house. They found no paperwork of any kind, not even with Sam’s name.” I glare at the window. “This was not the news I’d wanted.”

Since I walked into the café, the group from last time we visited have watched me, but concentrated on avoiding my eyes in the pretense that they aren’t. If the teens do catch my eye, they’ll see the warning to keep away. I do not have time for moronic zombie comments from people as brain dead as the imaginary creatures they’re obsessed with.

The group aren’t in uniform today, and others I recognize from Kai’s party sit with them, along with another pretty girl and her golden-haired boyfriend.

Holly’s Ollie. Ex Ollie, since somebody told him to stop interacting with academy students. With humans under curfew, none frequent the café, but even before the restriction on movements, I rarely saw town humans with those from the academy.

Now, Dale furtively types a message on his phone, whispering to the others. I watch their odd behavior and faintly catch phrases like “I’m not doing it” and “Tell him”.

Interesting. These individuals require further inspection, even at risk of banal conversation about the undead.

I make to stand but don’t need to as Dale has already stood and now edges towards the table. I’m too surprised at his audacity to scowl. More questions about Holly?

“Hey,” he says weakly. “How’s it going?”

Leif returns the greeting as Rowan and Grayson exchange confused looks. Across the café, the rest of the group now openly stare.

“Define ‘it’,” I say.

“So. Yeah. You asked about Kai, right?”

I blink at the confusing comment. “Is Kai here?” I ask. “I haven’t sensed him.”

He gives me an odd look. “No.”

“Is Kai meeting you?” asks Rowan.

“No.”

“Then I don’t understand your question,” I say.

“Is he okay?” asks Leif cautiously.

“Nah.”

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