Page 26 of Shannon in Sombra

I have no idea what time it is. In a shadow realm, it’s hard to guess, so I kinda just go with the rhythm of my body’s clock. It’s telling me that I slept in later than I usually do. My breasts feel heavy, both from the way Mal fondled them last night and because it might be past time for Alana’s breakfast.

We’re still in the living room where we fell asleep. It’s so rare that I’m up and he isn’t that, for a few contented seconds, I just watch his chest rise and fall. He’s solid, taking up most of the couch. I did wake up with my head in his lap, my feet tucked under his cheek, but even as he sprawled out on his back, he was careful to keep me as comfortable as possible.

I grin and, padding softly in bare feet, I move toward the window.

It has to be morning. Between how long the red moon had us mating, then how deeply I fell asleep when we were done, it’s been hours. Just to make sure, though, I want to peek outside and check that the red moon has set.

I look—and my heart nearly fucking stops.

The red moon is gone. Good. Great. There’s no way I’d miss the blood-red orb hanging high in the sky.

Just like I don’t miss the steady rain falling over Sombra.

Rain.

It’s raining.

Again.

Alana…

The last time it rained, my baby was crying. It stopped as soon as she did, and as I run toward the stairs, my heart thumping as wildly as it hopes, I tell myself there’s nothing wrong. I’m just being paranoid. Maybe she’s upset because her parents slept downstairs. Maybe she’s hungry.

Or maybe she’s gone.

Because Alana… she’sgone.Her window is closed. The crib is empty. All that’s left is her rumpled bedding.

My baby ismissing.

When I finally realize what exactly that means, I scream so loudly, there’s a good chance I don’t just wake up my mate.

I think I wake up the entirevillage.

* * *

There isno one in this world or any other that could’ve brought me back from the brink of collapse except for Malphas.

My mate came flying into the room almost as soon as I started to scream. He took one look at the empty crib while I sobbed and gasped and babbled Alana’s name, then quickly started conjuring his shadows. Bottom coverings for him, something that hit me from chest to ass, he must’ve known that, as soon as I got the despair out of my system, it would immediately turn to rage.

He’s right. As though my consciousness was just waiting for me not to be naked and vulnerable, once we’re covered, I was on the move. Though Alana is advanced, she’s notsoadvanced that she can leave her crib and crawl around the two levels of our home. Still, I checked every room in case. Mal was right there as I did, double-checking the nooks and crannies.

We both know that—for the moment—Alana doesn’t have any shadows. She can’t turn to mist or go black and transparent, but Malphas searched as though she’s a full demon child just in case.

But he doesn’t find her. Neither do I.

As soon as we considered the house clear, I ran out into the rain. It’s warm, but I can deal, even though most of the villagers linger on their porch versus coming down to be nosy where I can see them.

I was right. My scream woke upeveryone, though maybe the rain has something to do with that. Screw a five-minute storm. This is the real thing, and if I’ve already thought that Alana’s disappearance might have something to do with the prophecy, I push that thought out of my head.

Fuck the prophecy. I just want my baby back home where she belongs.

Apollyon is one of the other Sombra demons willing to brave the rainandmy pain. Normally, I’d be grateful that Lilith is right by his side, murmuring soft reassurances, but I don’t want to hear them right now. Telling me that everything will be fine, that we’ll find Alana, and the rain will stop… it’s so hard when the rage buckles under the weight of panic.

I cling to Malphas. He runs his fingers through my damp hair, and if the rain stings like it did two nights ago, he doesn’t react like the droplets do. Instead, all I can sense is his helplessness creeping down our bond; it echoes mine.

Still, when he murmurs, “Wewillfind her, my Shannon,” I hear the promise. I hear the vow.

I want to believehim.

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