Page 24 of North

She nodded. “The boys snuck out early, before school. They found a spot where they could get through the gates.” She huffed out a breath. “They’re both bright, curious, and adventurous. Too adventurous.”

“You found some of their gear?” Jameson asked.

She nodded. “We believe they were going to see some of the livestock.”

“Show us the area where you think they might have been taken.”

A tall man stepped forward. “I’ll take you. I’m Garth Stevens, Head of Security for St. Albans.”

“How long have they been gone?” I asked.

“They were discovered missing when they didn’t turn up to school.” Grim lines bracketed Garth’s mouth. “Their parents were working. The boys have been gone for over four hours.”

Shit. That was a long time.

“Is that them?” a woman’s sharp voice said.

We all looked up. A frantic woman, along with a couple, was pushing out the gates toward us.

The woman’s face was lined with fear and worry. “You’re going to find Hudson? He’s my only child. He’s all I have.”

The couple grabbed her, and the other woman hugged her. The man was tall and slim, and kept his arm around both of them.

He looked over. His shirt was rumpled and his hair messy, likely from running a hand through it. “Our son Joe is missing, too. He and Hudson are best friends.”

“We’ll do everything we can to bring them home,” Jameson said.

I glanced at North. There was a desolate look in his eyes, and I took a step toward him.

His gaze sliced my way and his face shuttered.

“We’re going to find them,” I said quietly.

He gave a brief nod. “We’ll try.”

We followed the head of security through some trees. There was a round enclosure near the river, filled with mooing cows.

“The Macdonald River has created excellent farmland,” Garth said. “People have been farming here for hundreds of years, I—” He gripped the back of his neck. “Please find the boys.”

That’s when I saw the shoe in the grass by the cows. A kid-sized running shoe. Nearby, there was a comm unit with a cracked screen and a toy. I crouched down. It was a small robot.

“They were taken here,” Garth said.

I lifted the robot. The paint was worn off in parts. It was white with a touch of red. It was well-loved.Oh, God.The shoe was so small, and it made my heart squeeze. They were just kids, exploring, pushing boundaries.

Kai crouched and touched the monster print nearby.

“Looks like it was just one creature. Big. Carried both boys.” He rose and followed the trail toward the river. He paused and looked back. “I can track it.”

Jameson nodded. “We’ll find them.”

Danielle nodded and wrapped her arms around her middle. “Please. They’re good kids, and they don’t deserve this.”

“We’ll do our best.” Jameson turned and jerked his head. “Hunter Squad, move out.”

I slipped the robot into my pocket. I was going to give it back to whichever boy it belonged to.

Kai took the lead, moving at a steady pace along the river, following the prints and signs. There were spots in which I couldn’t see any trace, yet Kai knew where to go. He was good.

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