Page 28 of By The Moon

“Positive, and look as this place. No one has lived here for months, if not years. Why buy it and then leave it?”

“Key’s found purchase documents. Skylar bought this fifteen years ago.” Kelvin frowned. “Paid cash too.”

“Cash?” Gray stood with his hands on his hips. “It doesn’t look like he’s ever lived here. If he’d bought the place to go to when he needed a break, then I could understand, but look at this dump. Why buy a house then do nothing with it?”

“Like you said. Decoy.”

“Louis, he bought this dump fifteen years ago and has done nothing with it.” Kelvin went over to a bookcase and ran his finger along one of the empty shelves. Lifting his finger up, Louis could see the dust covering it. “Why buy a house and leave it to rot?”

“Again. Decoy.” Gray pinched his lips together at the two vampires.

“Or there is something here we’re not seeing.” Louis glanced around the room.

Gray snarled, flashing his fangs. “Is there a basement?” He looked at Kelvin, who answered a couple of seconds later.

“No, but he’s pulling up aerial of this location now. The rear garden is large and there are a couple of sheds out there. Possible locations.”

“Let’s go and be ready. If he is there then he may know we’re here. Just because we’ve been quiet doesn’t mean he doesn’t have eyes on this location. Ask Key if the other locations have basements or outbuildings.”

“One does but the other doesn’t. They’re being searched now. He’ll update us when he knows.”

Louis followed Kelvin through the kitchen and out into the rear garden. He could see the shed a few meters ahead and a path that lead to it. The garden was overgrown, more like a jungle than a garden, and he pushed his way through the tall grass and small trees to reach the path. The flagstones were loose, with weeds all over them, and Louis shook his head.

“This doesn’t look like it’s seen any use in some time. Not that he’d need to actually use it.”

“If this is the place then it’s the perfect cover. No human would think someone was here.” Gray pulled a knife free and hacked at a bramble that had caught in his jeans.

Kelvin reached the door to the shed and waited. “Try to contact Jerome again.”

Louis nodded.Jerome. Where are you? Why aren’t you answering me?He waited but there was no response. Shaking his head, he stared at the door and noticed the shiny new locks. “Seen the locks?”

“Yep. Interesting.” Gray checked the gun in his hand and nodded. “Let’s do this.”

Chapter Twelve

The door banged open and Skylar walked in, dragging a chair behind him. He smirked at Jerome and placed the chair by the side of the mattress then closed and locked the door. Sitting on the chair, he watched Jerome and smiled.

“They’re looking for you but they won’t find you.”

“Louis will. We’re mates. He won’t give up until he finds me.”

“Then he’ll have a long hard life searching for someone he’ll never find.”

“Why do this? What have I done to you? I’ve only just met you.” Jerome watched Skylar who leaned back in his chair, smiling. He’d met him once, spoken to him maybe three times at the party, so why had Skylar kidnapped him?

“You have what I want.”

“What?” What was he on about? What did Jerome have that Skylar wanted? “I don’t have anything. We just met.” What was he going on about?

“Louis.”

Jerome’s eyes widened. Louis? “We’re mates. No one comes between mates.” He knew that much thanks to Louis, so whywould Skylar take him, knowing Louis would never be with him? “I’m the only one for him. You know this. Mates don’t cheat.”

“Mates can and have cheated. Rare, but it does happen, and while he’s depressed because he can’t find you and you’ve cut him off, I’ll be there to help him pick up the pieces.”

“That sounds… he’d never do that. He waited years for me. He’d wait even more to find me.”

“You think you’re so special that no man will turn Louis from you? I’ve known him for years. I know what he likes, what he doesn’t like. I know his friends. I’m a vampire so I know the life he lives. You’re human. What can you possibly give him that I can’t?”

---