Page 60 of Kai's Hunger

I followed his gaze. Blood, a pool of it. I sniffed the air. “Fuck!”

Wyatt and Fostine disappeared around the corner. Within minutes the pair emerged, dressed. “They couldn’t have gotten far,” Wyatt bit out, heading toward the SUV. “Didn’t bother to slash the tires. Definitely in a hurry.”

“Lily needs medical attention.” I looked at Creeg for confirmation. “You agree?”

“Yes,” he reached out a hand. “Toss me the keys. I’ll drive her van.”

I didn’t want to release her. Didn’t want to put her down long enough to fish around in my pocket. “In my jeans. Front left.” After Creeg retrieved them, he got in behind the wheel.

“Lily,” I breathed out, staring down at her. God, she barely stirred. I needed her close. Feeling her heartbeat, the steady rhythm calmed me. Kept me from losing my shit. I held her against my chest and got into the passenger side of the vehicle. Before I could slam the door shut, Wyatt stepped up close, Miggs, Dad, and Fostine at his back.

“How is it possible for that bastard to have grabbed Trakker?” Wyatt bit out. “No way.”

“He must have tranked him,” Dad growled. “Patterson has a drug that he’s been perfecting for the last two years. One dart would’ve taken him down.”

Miggs leaned over and stared at our father. “What the hell is it?”

Dad shook his head and grimaced. “I don’t know, but it’s fast-acting and burns like acid in your veins.”

“Jesus,” I muttered, staring down at Lily. Her ashen face and still form sent fear barreling through me. What the hell had they done to her? “Creeg, maybe you should look her over now. Here.”

Creeg nodded, then leaned across the middle console and put his palm on her forehead. He frowned, then felt his way over her arms, then lower to her abdomen. “Multiple bruises are already forming,” he stated. “Her arm might be broken. But I need to get her to the clinic, Kai.”

Wyatt cleared his throat. “Go, we’ll video call from the truck.”

After he slammed the door shut, Creeg took off. I watched Lily. She was my world.

Creeg’s phone chimed. He tapped the screen and Fostine’s face appeared. She swiped sweat off her brow. I noticed my sister’s talons were still extended, blood dripping from the lethal tips. “What happened back there?” I asked, curious how many men Patterson had stationed around the building.

“One guard. Had a nice little reunion, right before I slit his throat,” she explained, her voice devoid of emotion. “He won’t be a problem anymore. Didn’t see anyone else.” She frowned. “You?”

On the phone in the background I saw Miggs open the side window, then sniff the air. He cursed. “Only the sounds and smells of the forest,” my brother muttered. “I’m not picking up anything.”

Wyatt cursed. “Yeah, I’m not seeing their van either. Bastards.”

Father reached for Fostine and squeezed her shoulder. “You recovered, sweetheart?”

She nodded. “Getting there. I’m sorry I couldn’t—”

“Don’t,” Dad warned. “You did exactly what you needed to do. What I wanted you to do.”

“Goddamn it!” Miggs yelled, pounding a fist against the back of Fostine’s seat. “How did the son of a bitch get away so quick?”

“He would’ve seen you guys arrive,” our father stated. “He hooked up cameras out front. He hadn’t bothered with the rest of the building. I got the feeling the place was a temporary holding facility.”

I stared at our father, noticing his hollow cheeks and gaunt appearance. He’d suffered greatly at Patterson’s hands. “He was taking you somewhere else?”

He rested his head against the back of the seat and let out a heavy sigh. “I heard the guards discussing it. I think it’s further away. Different county.”

Wyatt watched out the windshield. “As much as I hate to admit it we’ve hit a dead end. No scent. No sign of them at all.”

“We can’t abandon Trakker,” Fostine yelled. “Patterson will—”

“Quiet!” Wyatt shot back. “No one is abandoning him, but we need to use our heads right now.”

“I say we keep looking,” Fostine muttered.

“Damn, straight,” Miggs answered, his gaze boring into the back of Wyatt’s head. “Patterson isn’t torturing another member of this family. We’re getting our brother back.”

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