Page 49 of Kai's Hunger

I shook my head, attempting to clear the fog. It didn’t help. “I don’t know.”

“The separation from Lily,” Wyatt mused, offering that as a reason for my sudden freakout session.

“Lily,” I breathed her name, let it linger in my mind. I closed my eyes and reached for her, but there was nothing. Only a black screen. I hadn’t made the exchange. Could that be why I wasn’t able to feel her presence? “We need to go back,” I announced, the feeling of dread gathering so fast it nearly suffocated me.

Wyatt nodded, ushering Fostine and Miggs to follow. “You think something happened to her?”

“I—I don’t know,” I answered. And the not knowing was killing me. “I just feel...”

“Listen to your gut, brother,” Wyatt urged, picking up his pace.

Soon, we were on the road back to town. The closer I got, the better I should’ve felt. The tension only continued to build until an imaginary freight train sped uncontrollably through my brain, splitting my skull in two.

By the time we reached the café, I’d driven my claws into the armrest, shredding the leather. As the front of the little diner came into view I saw police lights and a paramedic in the parking lot. Several people stood around, trying to get a glimpse inside the small restaurant. “What the hell?”

Wyatt cursed and shoved the car into park. “Remain calm,” he warned.

My only thought was of Lily. I tore out of the vehicle and ran for the front doors. I pushed an officer out of the way and yelled, “Lily!”

“Kai,” a shaky, feminine voice whispered.

I looked to my left and saw Tessa on a stretcher, reaching for me. I moved up beside her, took her hand in mine. She shook, tears were on her cheeks. And there was a large bump on the side of her face near her eye. “What happened?”

“Three men. They had guns.” Her lower lip trembled. “They took Lily.”

I cupped her cheek, noticing bruises forming around her left eye. “They did this to you?”

She grimaced and looked away. “I’m sorry. Tried to stop them.”

Wyatt drew up next to Tessa. “Was one of them wearing glasses and sporting a goatee?”

“Yeah, that’s him,” she answered, her troubled gaze landing on Wyatt. “Seemed like the boss.”

I stared at Wyatt. “Patterson,” I bit out. “And he has Lily.”

Wyatt stiffened, then turned his attention back to Tessa. “Do you have somewhere safe to stay?”

“I’ll be fine,” she replied, frowning at Wyatt. “I’ve told the cops what I know, but I’m worried for Lily. It was like they knew her.”

They knew she’d been staying with me, more like it. And took her because of it. What was Patterson planning? The terrifying possibilities were endless. I stifled the urge to howl and instead focused my energy on finding her. My mate. I strode into the café, ignoring the police attempting to stop me, then inhaled. Too many scents lingered in the air. Above them all was Lily. The sour smell of her fear nearly sent me into a rage. I closed my eyes and focused, separating her from the others. A few seconds passed before I was able to catch it. Musky. Damp, like wet moss. “Patterson,” I mumbled. The bastard’s days were numbered.

“Kai,” Fostine whispered, gaining my attention. When our gazes connected, she said, “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I should’ve ... I should’ve—”

“Survived,” I stated. “And you did. Your knowledge will lead us to him. And Father.” I paused, then added, “Patterson took Lily to get to me. That’s not on you, little sister.”

She wrapped her arms around her middle, then uttered, “I smell him. It sickens me.”

“Me, too.”

“And the other two that he was with,” she confided, her face pale. “I recognize them as well.”

My gut clenched at seeing my sister’s reaction to the men. “And?”

“They are the worst of the bunch, Kai.” She stared down at the scarred tile floor. “The sooner we find her the better.”

Images of Lily being tortured fled through my mind, nearly crippling me. “There will be no easy death for them.”

“Good,” my sister shot back, “we’re on the same page then.”

---