Page 24 of By The Moon

“Shit.” Louis stood and rubbed his face with his hands. “Shit.”

“We need to find Skylar and have a word with him. As you said, Jerome enters but doesn’t leave. We can only assume Skylar moved them.”

“Where though? Jerome said he was hurt.” Louis could feel his heart racing in his chest and took several deep breaths to calm himself. He needed to remain in control now more than ever. Jerome needed him.

“Try talking to him again.”

Jerome?He waited but when nothing happened, he tried again.Jerome? Talk to me. Where are you?

Again nothing and he looked at Gray, shaking his head. “Nothing.”

“He’s either asleep or drugged.” Gray swung back to his computer and pulled up details on Skylar. “He lives here. Why don’t we pop over and pay him a visit? I’d be interested to hear what he has to say about this.”

“Me too. Why Jerome? Why go after him?”

“Hate to say it but what if he’s attracted to Jerome and wants him?” Key shrugged. “We all know when you mate that’s it butwhat if Skylar can’t accept it? They’ve met once and now he’s potentially kidnapped him.”

“We need to go to his house and question him.” Gray stood and grabbed his coat. “Tell Kelvin to meet us there and continue to try and locate Jerome and Skylar.”

Key nodded. “He’s going there now.”

“Let’s go and find your mate.”

Chapter Ten

Jerome shivered, a cold breeze striking his skin, and he opened his eyes, wincing at the throb in his head. Rolling over, Jerome hissed. The floor was cold, and why was he naked? Slowly pushing himself up into a sitting position, Jerome stilled, waiting for the room to stop spinning and for his stomach to stop rolling. He swallowed, his mouth dry like it had been stuffed with cotton, and glanced around the room he was in.

It was bare, with no windows. The floor appeared to be concrete. The walls were the same but that was it. There was only one way in or out, but as Jerome concentrated on the door, he realized there was no handle on the inside. Furrowing his brow, he attempted to stand, but his legs gave out and he fell heavily back on the floor.

Closing his eyes, he tried to reach out to Louis but there was nothing. After several attempts, he opened his eyes and rubbed a hand over his face. Moving slowly, he got up onto his hands and knees then pushed up so he was standing but leaning against the nearest wall.

Louis?Again, nothing but a dull throb in his mouth.

This wasn’t good. The last thing he remembered was his surprise at seeing Skylar. It was still daylight outside and the last person he expected to see was a vampire. He was standing in the shadows, keeping him from the sun’s reach, but still, why had he been there?

Skylar had appeared nice, friendly. Had said he was visiting a friend and thought he’d come and say hi. Jerome had asked about this friend and Skylar had winced, saying she was human so didn’t know about him. It seemed so plausible to him but he knew very little about vampires and how they interacted with humans.

When Skylar had suggested getting a drink together, Jerome had thought he was being nice, so had agreed. Entering the store room had also seemed a good idea. That way Skylar could move them to a shop without being seen. It never occurred to Jerome that stepping inside the room put him in danger, but here he was. Naked. Alone. Lost.

Taking a deep breath, Jerome placed a hand on his chest and willed his heart to slow. He shook out his hands when he felt adrenaline rush through them. Panicking wouldn’t solve a thing. Jerome needed to think, and fast. He had to find a way out or attract attention so when Skylar came in, Jerome could attack and get free.

It would have to be quick. Vampires were faster and stronger so Jerome knew he would only have one chance and that chance had to work. Licking his dry lips, Jerome studied the room again. Nothing. No pipes, no nails or screws in the walls, no areas of the floor that Jerome could try to dig up and use. He hated to admit it, but it was capable of holding him. Skylar had thought this out well and made sure the room would do the job he’d intended it to.

Louis?Jerome paused, waiting for Louis to respond, but again, there was nothing. Tilting his head, Jerome gave his bodya check, noting where he hurt or areas that didn’t feel quite right. His head pounded, his mouth still felt like crap and Jerome had to assume he’d been drugged. That could potentially stop him from reaching out to Louis.

“Shit,” he murmured softly.

Jerome stared at the door when he heard movement there, and squinted, turning his head away when the door opened and bright light flooded the room. “I see you’re awake.”

He recognized that voice. “Skylar.”

“That’s me.” Skylar kicked a bucket over to him. “Piss in this.” A plastic bottle full of water rolled his way. “Drink that. I’ll be back later.”

“What? Wait!” The door shut and Jerome shouted again but Skylar was gone. Reaching for the bottle of water, Jerome examined it as best he could in the dim light then opened it. Sniffing it, he took a mouthful and sighed when the cool liquid hit his throat.

Drugged. Damn, and he had no idea with what, but it had to be strong because he couldn’t reach Louis. Something vampires had created? How would he know? He was still new to this world and had no idea of what they could and couldn’t do. He never imagined this would happen to him. He and Louis were still so new and still learning about each other. They’d barely begun and now he was here and he couldn’t reach his mate.

Sipping the water, Jerome searched the room again and still found nothing. He shivered as the cold breeze reached him again and he scanned the door, finding a crack at the bottom where it wasn’t flush with the floor. He could see a strip of light as well, but no moving shadows indicating if Skylar was outside.

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