Page 69 of Twilight Longings

Micah sat next to Rosa and took his sister’s hand in his. “We’ll get him back, Rosie. Don’t worry.”

“Damn,” Ethan muttered. “I didn’t think anyone could best Kincaid.”

“Yeah, well, we were wrong,” Saintcrow said. “I think all of you had better stay here, in Morgan Creek, until we get Kincaid back.”

“You’re probably right,” Ethan said. “Any idea how to find Jake or Luca?”

“Not at the moment, but I’m open to suggestions.”

“I’ve never had any dealings with Luca,” Micah said. “Is he worse than Letitia Braga and her bodyguard, Mahlon?”

“I’d say so,” Saintcrow said, with a wry grin. “At least Braga stayed dead when we killed her.”

“What about the Methuselah Stone?” Kadie asked. “It healed me and Ethan. Maybe it can lead us to Jake.”

“Do you think so?” Rosa asked anxiously.

Kadie shrugged. “I have no idea, but it’s worth a try.”

“Good idea, sweetheart,” Saintcrow said. Moving away from the others, he called Izabela.

She answered her phone on the second ring. “What do you want now, vampire?”

“Do you think the Methuselah Stone could lead me to Kincaid?”

“I thought he was with you.”

“Luca’s got him.” Saintcrow frowned when there was no response for several seconds. “Izabela?”

“I will rend Luca Sasan into tiny pieces and feed him to my piranha if he harms that boy.”

Well, I’ll be damned,Saintcrow thought.The witch has real feelings for Kincaid.

“I’m on my way,” Izabela said, and ended the call.

Saintcrow shook his head as he slipped his phone into his pants pocket. Apparently Izabela wasn’t as hard-hearted as he had always thought.

“Well? What did she say?” Kadie asked. And had the sudden thought that if she’d been a vampire, she wouldn’t have had to ask. She would have heard both sides of the conversation, like everyone else in the room.

“She’s coming,” Saintcrow said. And then he grinned. “She’s here.”

Lowering the wards on the house, he opened the front door. “Do you mean me or mine any harm?” he asked, mimicking her oft-asked query.

“Very funny, you idiot.”

Taking a step back, he said, “Come on in. Consider my home yours.”

“Indeed,” Izabela said, her voice frosty, but there was a twinkle of amusement in her eyes.

Saintcrow replaced the wards, then followed her into the living room. He took a moment to introduce the witch to those she hadn’t met before, and then invited her to sit down.

“So, can you find him?” Saintcrow asked.

“Possibly.”

“Possibly?” Rosa echoed.

“Magic is never guaranteed,” Izabela said. “I would imagine that Luca has blocked whatever link Kincaid has to Saintcrow. And probably to you, as well, Rosa. But I also have a link to Jake, forged by his blood.” She slanted a wry grin at Saintcrow. “I have a link to you, as well.”

---