Page 53 of Blades of Ice

“That doesn’t sound positive. Please tell me you aren’t alone,” Dakota implored.

“I’m not alone. I met a nice couple, and they’ve become good friends. The scenery here is absolutely breathtaking, andthe clean air is good for whatever ails you.” That wasn’t a lie. “Tell me what’s going on there.”

Dakota sighed but did as Lydia asked, and the more she spoke, the worse Lydia felt for not being there to help. After a few minutes, she handed the phone over to Sebastian.

“Lydia? How are you?”

“Good, but it sounds like Dakota is in over her head with the remodel.”

“She is, and I need your help. She can’t do it all, so I would appreciate it if you would find a project manager.” Sebastian listed the items Dakota needed help with, and Lydia groaned inwardly. She didn’t have time to search for someone. They were heading out early the next morning. As he further explained what they had in mind for the manager, it dawned on Lydia who could recommend someone.

“Gotcha. I’ll get right on that. Give everyone my love, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Like I told Dakota, the air is good for what ails ya. Now, go take care of your mate. My King has given me a task, and I don’t want to keep him waiting.”

“You’re a goof, but I love you,” Bas said warmly.

“I love you too. Later.” Lydia fell back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Maybe she should come clean about what was going on with Beck. Evading felt like lying, and Lydia hated lying to anyone. She next called her parents, and after filling them in on everything that had happened since their last call, she asked her mom to forward Oliver Lynch’s contact information to Sebastian. Sophia didn’t try to make Lydia feel bad for missing their holiday gathering. Her parents had missed Thanksgiving their first year because they were in Egypt. After promising she was fine for the thirtieth time, they said their goodbyes.

Lydia tossed the mask aside, then pulled out the transmitter. She placed it against her throat, wanting to know what Chloe sounded like. “Testing, one, two, three. My name is Chloe, and… Oh, my gods. No fucking way.” Lydia jumped to her feet and ran through the house, sliding on socked feet to a stop in the kitchen.

Kennedy held out her hands to catch Lydia. “What’s wrong?”

“The voice in my dream! I know who it belongs to.”

“What’s wrong withyourvoice?” Dooley asked, rising from his seat in front of his computer.

Lydia pointed to her throat. “It’s not my voice; it’s Chloe’s. I’m wearing the transmitter. And hers is the voice of the female in my dream.”

“Are you sure? Because if you are…” Dooley plopped down in the chair.

“I’m sure, and that means she’s not really missing.”

“But what about her helo, and her phone, and—”

“All a ploy. It has to be.”

“Can you, like, take that thing off? Her voice coming from your mouth is creepy,” Kennedy asked.

“Oh, yeah.” Lydia peeled the transmitter off, but held it carefully as not to mess up the adhesive. “I need to call Carliegh.”

“On it. I’m going to request an encrypted video chat.” Dooley tapped his keyboard, then sat back, staring off in the middle distance.

“I’ll be right back.” Lydia returned the transmitter to its case for safe keeping. By the time she was back in the kitchen, Carleigh’s face was on the screen.

“Things are curiouser and curiouser,” she said.

“No shit. Now what? Should we call Delaney and warn her?”

“You dreaming about her sister’s voice isn’t solid enough proof that Chloe’s part of what’s going on. And what good wouldit do if we told her? She can’t help, and her knowing might put her at greater risk. Are we looking at Chloe, Heather, Orson, and Boyd all being in cahoots?”

Dooley drummed his fingers on the table. “Chloe and Heather were always close, at least until Amara was overthrown. I don’t know if they remained in contact after Chloe left BC.”

Lydia threw her arms in the air. “What does it matter if it’s one or all of them? Boyd’s still in Sterling, yes?”

“Yes, and his unknown visitor returned. Like last time, they didn’t speak in the house, and Boyd came back alone. He hasn’t received any calls, and there have been no more cryptic messages being passed back and forth.”

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