Page 63 of Knot Letting Go

“Why didn’t you do that before? We could have found them much quicker!” Konstantin seethed.

“Because the ping only works in a block’s radius.” Talis explained, holding up his hands in a calming motion. “We pinged their bracelets at the museum, but they weren’t there.”

The radio crackled. “They’re here.”

My heart leapt. Konstantin darted back into the house, and I was right on his heels. My legs felt rubbery, but I ran on pure adrenaline. Aubrielle and Lillianna were here. Likely in some stupid hidey hole that no one found yet.

We pulled shelves away from the walls, ripped up carpets, and yanked paintings off the walls. Talis’ team even smashed holes in the plaster. All the while, we shouted for the girls.

I was going out of my mind. None of us could find them.

Talis pinged the house again. “They’re here. Or, at least, the bracelets are.”

No. I wasn’t having that. They were here.

I ended up back outside looking for a shed or a boathouse. Even a tent by the beach. Nothing.

My world was crumbling. I wanted to scream at the fiery setting sun. Where the fuck were they and why weren’t they answering?

They weren’t dead. They couldn’t be dead.

I slowly turned to stare at the beach in front of the house. No.

Not dead. I refused to acknowledge that possibility.

Then a flash of light against metal drew my gaze to the space under the deck. A giant fucking cistern. My heart beat so hard, I thought it was going to launch itself out of my chest.

“There!” My voice cracked as I sprinted toward the rainwater containment unit. “The cistern!”

Konstantin and another one of Talis’ team came out the back door and ran around to it.

“How does it open?” The anguish in my words sent me into a coughing fit. I still ran up to it and banged on the side. “Lilli! Aubrielle!”

Konstantin was immediately on top of some type of wheel, cranking open a hatch. His chest heaved with the effort. Tears pooled in the corners of his eyes.

He threw open the hatch and peered inside.

That’s when we heard the blessed cry from Lillianna. “Daddy!”

She was alive. She was fucking alive!

I raised my arms in a silent cheer of celebration as spun around to set itself right again.

“I’m coming in to get you.” Konstantin was already climbing up and thrusting his legs through the hatch. “Watch out so that I don’t jump on you.”

But everything was thrust out of harmony once more when Lillianna added, “Hurry, Daddy! Aubrielle isn’t moving.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT - Aubrielle

Somewhere in the distance, I heard voices. At least I thought it was faraway. Lillianna’s hand was still in mine. It was warm. She was floating like a champion starfish while I could barely keep my head above water.

My heat pains were so bad, I could only try to remain as still as possible. I wanted to cry and thrash, but all of that would scare Lillianna. She needed me to be calm.

More voices and then a splash. Was that me? My limbs were numb and yet pain ruled every inch of my body.

Lillianna’s hand left mine and terror struck me. I turned, sinking and kicking myself up from the bottom. Please let nothing have happened to her! “Lillianna!”

A muscled arm hooked me around my middle and pulled me against a hard body. “Calm down, Aubrielle. I have you.”

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