Page 10 of Blood Lost

I dressed quickly then crept slowly out the door. I had no idea what to expect.

Chapter 12

Declan

I stepped away from her for a second. And for what? So James could whine about his latest conquest rejecting him. My brother drove me crazy. I should have ignored the call. Why had I been so stupid? I should have had someone keep an eye on her while I was gone. I’d spent the next three hours looking for her before one of the bar patrons spoke up and said she’d left with another guy through the back door. Did she remember something? I didn’t own her—there was no reason to explain my feeling that she was in trouble. It didn’t sit right, though, her leaving without a word.

I forced a description out of the patron, but even with that, no one knew the guy. He had never been to the club before.

Of course, I would have tried to stop her. Maybe that’s why she didn’t tell me. That had to be it. I had no leads, no way to find her. I didn’t even know her last name. To be fair, she didn’t know it either. I thought we had a connection, but maybe I was wrong. I headed home to mope about it. I missed her already.

Steph called me before I made it home. I nearly didn’t answer. “Yeah, what is it?” I couldn’t pretend that I cared.

“Wow, really? I call you to tell you that I may have a lead on your missing girl, and that’s how you answer the phone? See if I do you any favors in the future.” She growled right back at me. I had to admit that I deserved it.

“What? How? Tell me, Steph,” I demanded. I knew that all she had to do was hang up, and I would never get the intel out of her. I took a deep breath and rephrased my demand. “Please, Stephanie. I am sorry for snapping at you. Will you tell me what you discovered?”

She laughed—a hearty belly laugh—then responded, “That’s better. You remember that guy who was asking questions the other night? Someone saw him outside the club tonight.”

“And you think he had something to do with Delilah’s disappearance? You don’t think she went off on her own, do you?” The words came out as a growl. It seemed as if my suspicions might have been warranted after all.

“I don’t. I’ve seen her with you, Dec. She wouldn’t leave you without an explanation. Trust me. I’ve got a couple of guys digging around to see who the punk is so we can locate him. It can’t hurt to ask him some questions.”

I ran my hand down my face, wiping the tears I didn’t realize were there. “Perfect. Keep me updated. And Steph?”

“Yeah, Dec?” Apprehension filled her tone. She was scared of what I would say next. I wondered why.

“Thank you.” I disconnected the call, still trying to figure out why Steph would be scared by my response to her call. It seemed odd, but tonight everything did, so I guessed it was somehow connected.

It was hard to admit how attached I already was to Delilah. I knew there was a chance someone out there was going through the same misery I was right now because of her being turned. I needed to find her, and I needed to get her memories back.

I didn’t know how to fix Delilah’s problem, but I had connections. I could use those to find out who she was and give her family closure. I might even be able to find a way to get her memories back.

I turned my cell over in my hands as I thought. I debated the pros and cons. In the end, there was only one choice to make. I dialed Strain Industries and asked if I could speak with Eli. Of course, his receptionist said he was out for the day, so I requested that he call me back as soon as possible to set up a meeting. If anyone could find out who Delilah was, it was Eli Strain. He had the most intricate tech at his disposal. Once she’d assured me that my message would be delivered with my name and number, I disconnected the call.

I hoped that the next call went better than the last. I dialed the number and waited for voicemail to pick up. It had been way too long; there was no way he would answer my call. Suddenly there was a click, “Hello, Dec. It’s about damn time you called.”

I nearly cried at the familiar voice. “Kayden, I need your help.” I was fully prepared to eat crow for it, too.

“Of course, you do. What have you gotten yourself into this time, Declan?” My best friend’s smooth voice was soothing, even if he was irritated.

“It’s a long story. There’s a girl, and she got shot. I may have turned her to prevent her untimely death.” I paused for a moment.

“You what? Dec, this is serious. You know that you can’t just turn people whenever you feel like it. That will get the hunters after you for sure.”

I nodded, unsure how to respond. I needed a minute to work out how to explain it all without sounding crazy for falling for Delilah so fast.

Kayden broke into my thoughts. “So what happened? Did she go crazy and drain someone?”

“No, she woke up with amnesia. The only thing she remembered was her first name. It’s only been a couple of days since I turned her, but she’s gone missing now. I need your help to find her before something bad happens. Please.” I knew that I sounded like a desperate whack job, but if anyone understood, it would be Kayden.

“Amnesia, huh? Rowan has been working on some experimental treatments. I’ll call him if we find her. You know I should tell you to go to hell, right? You don’t call; you completely ghost me. Then the second you want something, I’m just supposed to hop to?” Kayden’s anger simmered to the top. He was usually very reserved, but something had changed.

“Look, man, I’m sorry. I know it was wrong. I should have been honest with you about being turned in the first place. I wasn’t myself. It doesn’t make the situation any better, but it’s the truth.” My voice broke as I tried to apologize. Kayden had been my best friend. We grew up together outside the city.

“I get it; wolves don’t like vamps. That’s not the point. You were my best friend, my brother. But you did this without hesitation and lied about it. I don’t know that I can forgive you for it.” Kayden’s growl, deep and angry, vibrated my ear.

“I understand. I shouldn’t have called. I’ll find her on my own.” A single tear fell down my cheek, and pain gripped my heart.

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