Page 63 of Match My Fall
Iparked the car and rushed over to her as she ended the call.
“Whathappened?”Iasked.
Shepushed a golden ringlet from her cheek as if its presence annoyed her. “Iwas making dinner.Thedoorbell rang.Ithought it was you—”Herbreath came quick and hard. “Paigewent to answer it.Whenshe didn’t come back and it was quiet,Iwent to see what was going on.”Hervoice trembled. “Shewas gone.”Shewinced. “It’sThorne.Hewon’t answer his phone.Iknow it’s him.Whoelse would take her?”Sheglanced at me with pained eyes.
WhatdidIknow aboutThorneexcept that he was a cheating fae and shitty dad who hated shifters?Nothing.Igrimaced and a sour taste coated my tongue.Iinhaled.Hisscent was recent as wasPaige’s.Mywolf stirred in agitation, ready to hunt him down.Itook a deep breath to calm us.
“Onesecond,”ItoldCassandra.Itracked the trail up to the sidewalk where it disappeared. “Yes, he was here.Hisscent is fresh.”Afterglancing down the road,Iadded, “Hemust have gotten her into his car and drove away.”
Cassandradropped her head into her hands and sobbed. “Inever should have let him into her life.IthoughtIwas doing what was best for her, but now…”Hervoice trailed off.
“Comeon, let’s go inside and figure things out.”Iled her into her living room.Thearoma of baking lasagna reached me, the promise of a wonderful night marred.Myinstincts flared to hunt for the fae who tookPaigeand destroyedCassandra’speace of mind.Ihad to findThorne, and whenIdid, he’d pay.Noone hurt my mate.
Thedoorbell rang.ItwasPandora, the witch with black bangsI’dmet at theNetwork, and her mateAustin, a burly, clean-shaven bear shifter.Theyquickly introduced us, and thenCassandragot them up to speed.
Inthe minutes that followed, others arrived—the petite detective,Zoe, with the blond dragon shifter,Lucas.Nova, the witch with auburn hair, came soon after.Theliving room was abuzz with discussion, speculation, and possible courses of action, from technology to magic, from searching on foot to searching from brooms while flying.
“Wehave to look for her,”Cassandrasaid, her voice pierced with determination.
“Wheredo you think he’d take her?”Iasked. “Tohis house?”
Herlips curled. “Heknows that’s the first place we’d look, but it’s worth checking.”
“First, we need to confirm thatThornetook her,”Pandorasaid.
“It’shim,”Ideclared. “Icaught their scents outside.ButIlost it there.”Ipointed outside to a spot where the sidewalk met the street. “Thatmust be where he parked his car.”
“Whywould he take her?”Lucasquestioned.
Iturned to him. “Probablybecause of me.Hehates shifters.”
“Hatingshifters?”Lucasrepeated. “WhattheHadesCrazies?”
“I’llcheck with neighbors if they have a security camera,”Zoesaid. “Wemay be able to confirm that it wasThorne, what car he’s driving, and which direction he headed.”
“I’llgo with you,”Lucasvolunteered. “Oncewe know which way,I’llshift to dragon form and search from the sky.”
“I’llhelp,”Novavolunteered.
“Goodidea,”Pandoraadded.Shewalked to the front window and glanced outside. “Weshould split up and start with neighbors.Onegoes this way.”Shepointed to the right. “Andanother across the street.Samething on the left.”
Austinnudged his chin higher. “I’mhere to help.”
Cassandraremained on the sofa, wrapping her arms around herself as she appeared to withdraw.
Iextended my arm behind her and squeezed her shoulder. “Don’tworry, we’re going to find her.”
“Whatif we can’t?” she asked in a low voice edged with pain. “Whatif he took her somewhere soI’llnever find her?”
Thatwas certainly a possibility, butIwouldn’t let her sink into despair. “We’llnever stop looking.”
Cassandragritted her teeth and stood. “Ineed to do a scrying spell.”
Pandoraturned back from the window as the others filtered out to start their search. “Yes.I’llhelp you.”Sheturned toAustin. “Canyou go with the others to check with neighbors?”
“Ofcourse.”Hegave her a long glance before he departed, one that expressed the affection he felt for his mate—also a witch and shifter bonding.
Torn,Ididn’t know what to do.Onepart of me yearned to stay and protect my mate and our child.Theother itched to hunt the fae and destroy him for hurtingCassandra.Andif he hurtPaige…
