Page 63 of Forever Midnight

“What can we do?” Viv asks. “Need some glamour?”

“I think we may need some healing elixir for Tru,” I say.

“On it.”

“He’s gonna be okay, Midnight,” Viper says. “I can feel it.”

I squeeze her hand. “Thank you.”

The rest of us tear off into the night, heading in the direction Bowie leads us. The area we’re going to isn’t used by drug dealers or even the worst criminals. I’ve rarely been over here.

“How do you know this place, Bowie?” Syn asks.

“Stan wanted to buy it once. He had some bright idea to revitalize this area by building apartments and retail until he found out why the area wasn’t already developed. High water tables and proximity to the train track made it so undesirable no bank would consider a loan.”

“Look at Stan still coming in clutch for us,” Thorn says. “Because of him you knew where to look.”

“Stan can burn in hell,” Bowie grumbles. “But yeah, at least his antics did some good for a change.”

I hear the conversations going on around me, but my heart is on a mission to get to Tru. I swear I can feel him inside me, gripping my barely beating heart, urging each step forward. As soon as I get him back and he’s well, I’m going to tell him what I am. It’s the right thing to do.

Yves puts his hand on my shoulder as we walk, highly aware of my chaotic feelings. He doesn’t say anything, and he doesn’t have to. His support and comfort are clear through his touch.

When we turn the corner and a large cluster of decrepit, crumbling stone buildings come into view, I tear off towards the farthest one, knowing without a doubt I will find my kitten inside.

The closer I get, the more my beast takes over. My fangs descend as my skin tingles and my nails grow long. My eyesight sharpens just as I reach the large sliding metal doors. I tear them off the hinges easily, scanning the dark, dank surroundings.

I feel him before I see him, allowing my instincts to take over and lead me to him. There on the floor, wrapped in a dirty blanket is Tru. His breaths are short as I scoop him up. His free arm breaks loose from the blankets, cut up and bruised, and it’s clear he struggled to get free from his restraints to be able to call me.

“I’ve got you now,” I whisper, nuzzling his cheek. “You’re safe, Tru.”

His eyes flutter open, and as they focus on me, he smiles. “I knew you’d find me. I stayed awake just long enough.”

Then his head falls back and his eyes close, his body a heavy weight in my arms.

“Hades!” I shout. “No!”

Yves hovers his hand over Tru’s face. “He’s alive, but weak. Let’s get him back to the house. Vivienne will help.”

Nodding, I look Yves in the eyes. “I cannot lose him. Not again.”

“You won’t,” Yves says, his voice full of conviction. “Worst case scenario, we know how to save him.”

His implication is clear. Could I do so without his consent? Potentially against his will? What if he feels the way Benedict did and hates me?

“Tru is not Benedict,” Yves whispers. “Focus on now.”

“Right. Yes. Let’s get home.”

“Bowie and I will stay back and take care of these buildings,” Syn says. “It’s about time they come down once and for all.”

“Thank you.”

I take off into the night as quickly as I can to not waste another second to help Tru. When I get inside, laying him on the couch in the common area, Viv is ready, holding his head as she pours the liquid down his throat and we help him swallow.

Viper puts her hands over him, closing her eyes, while I look to Viv for an explanation.

“Energy work,” Viv says. “She’s been practicing.”

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