Page 30 of The Dragon's Stone Hearted Mate
“Do you want me to come with you?” Teal asked.
“Yeah,” I nodded.
Teal pushed open the swinging door that led to the back of the restaurant and held it for Crilus. I followed him back and Teal came a moment later after cocking his head to the side. Was he talking to his brothers or his mate? His kids? What was even going on in his life? Outside of meeting Rho, I didn’t haveanything to update anyone on. My life stood still after Torvan died.
“We’ll catch up over breakfast,” Teal said as if he read my mind.
“WHO’S FUCKING OUT THERE?” Torvan roared and something banged against the freezer door from the inside.
“You don’t have to come with me,” I offered Teal an escape.
“He doesn’t scare me. If he scares you, let me know. I’ll figure out how to tie him up and we can interrogate him that way.”
“Interrogate him?” I blinked.
“He’ll know who’s after you,” Teal shrugged. “It would’ve been nice if this was just your chance to say goodbye but you have a mate now. You might have kids soon. Someone tried to shoot you.”
“Yeah, yeah. I get it. Though, Rho can take care of himself.”
“I’m sure he can.”
“WHO’S FUCKING OUT THERE? CRILUS! CRILUS IS THAT YOU? WHEN I GET OUT OF HERE, I’M GOING TO---”
“SHUT UP!” Teal bellowed.
“Teal!” Torvan’s voice went up a hopeful octave and I let out a long, slow breath. “Teal! Crilus has lost his mind! They all have! They’re acting like they can’t see me! Well, except for Crilus! He locked me in here! He’s lost his mind! I don’t know how long I’ve been in here but it’s been a while. My fire won’t ignite. Can you open the door?”
Teal met my gaze and frowned. Did Torvan actually believe he was still alive or was he lying for Teal’s sympathy?
“Buddy,” Teal said, keeping his voice level. “What are you yelling all those things at him for? That’s no way to talk to anyone. If he’s lost his mind, that means he needs help, right?”
“Right,” Torvan said, his voice taking on that tone it always did when something went missing from the house. He was lyingabout something. He was saying what he thought Teal wanted to hear.
“I got this,” Teal mouthed to me and opened the door.
Torvan stood there wearing the same t-shirt and jeans as the day he died. Sticky-looking blood still clung to his clothes. His hair was a mess.
“Thank Frost!” Torvan said and tried to step out of the walk-in freezer. He bounced back and swore under his breath.
“Guys!” Mori’s voice reached my ears from the front of the restaurant.
“Who’s that?” Torvan asked, rubbing his arms where they banged into the barrier.
“Mori. He’s a friend,” I said, choosing my words very carefully.
“Is he who Crilus has been blowing?” Torvan asked, lowering his voice.
“Dude!” Teal groaned. “That’s his cousin.”
“Why’s he here?” Torvan asked, poking at the barrier and finding that it remained solid.
“I got here as quickly as I could,” Mori sprinted up, panting. He bent forward hands on his knees.
“What’s the rush? Are you here to take Crilus to the crazy house?” Torvan laughed.
Mori stood upright and narrowed his eyes on my brother. Torvan took a step back.
“Do you know where you are?” Mori asked my brother, taking a step forward and joining him in the freezer.
